What is Bergamot Essential Oil?

Bergamot Essential Oil is one of the most beloved citrus oils in aromatherapy and perfumery. The scent is fresh, fruity and floral, with a light spicy undertone. It is a classic top note in Eau de Cologne and the scent maker of Earl Grey tea. The Latin name is Citrus Bergamia, and the oil is extracted from the peel of the bergamot fruit, a green citrus fruit in the shape of a pear.

This oil naturally contains linalool, linalyl acetate, limonene and bergapten. These natural components are responsible for the recognizable aroma, the calming effect on mood and the properties on the skin. Bergapten is also the substance that makes bergamot phototoxic, you can read more about that further on.

Bergamot is often used to make other scents in a blend lighter and fresher. The oil blends beautifully with lavender, ylang ylang, chamomile, neroli, sandalwood and frankincense.

How is Bergamot Essential Oil made?

Bergamot Essential Oil is obtained through cold pressing, also called expression or cold pressing. In this process, the bergamot peels are mechanically compressed, causing the oil glands in the peel to burst and release the essential oil. Because no heat is involved, the natural aroma molecules are optimally preserved. That's why cold-pressed citrus oils smell so vibrant and complex.

The downside of cold pressing is that the heavier, non-volatile molecules also come along. This group includes the furocoumarins, including bergapten. These substances give the oil its depth, but also make it phototoxic on the skin in combination with UV light.

Benefits of Bergamot Essential Oil

Calms stress and tension
The scent of bergamot has been used for centuries for restlessness, tension and mild melancholy. The aroma is uplifting and calming at the same time, making it work excellently in moments of mental fatigue or nervousness.

Supports healthy, clear skin
Bergamot has a natural cleansing effect and is gladly incorporated into formulations for oily or impure skin. It can help bring the skin into balance and regulate sebum production.

Classic top note in perfume and cosmetics
Bergamot is one of the most used ingredients in fine perfumery. The oil gives freshness and liveliness to a blend and makes other scents stand out better. Also in homemade deodorant, body oil or bath salt it brings a refined, recognizable aroma.

Wonderful in the diffuser
The scent creates a clear, cheerful atmosphere and helps with focus, creativity and mental energy.

How do you use Bergamot Essential Oil?

Always dilute essential oil in a Carrier Oil or butter when using on the skin. For bergamot, due to phototoxicity, there is a legal maximum of 0.4 percent in leave-on products on the skin. This amounts to 0.4 grams of essential oil per 100 grams of Carrier Oil or butter. Suitable carriers are for example Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil or Shea Butter. Also read the explanation below about allergens when you combine multiple essential oils.

In a night serum or night cream
Bergamot is excellent for an evening care that calms the skin and brings it into balance. Only apply to skin that will not be exposed to sunlight in the hours after.

In a DIY perfume or body oil
Combine bergamot with lavender and sandalwood for a classic, calming perfume. Also keep to the 0.4 percent limit here for leave-on applications.

In a diffuser
Put 4 to 6 drops in an aroma diffuser and fill your house with a fresh, uplifting scent. Optionally combine with lavender for extra relaxation, or with frankincense for a meditative atmosphere.

In a rinse-off product
In soap, shower gel or shampoo the oil does not remain on the skin, allowing for more generous dosages. A pleasant choice for a fresh, invigorating morning ritual.

We have both this cold-pressed bergamot and a Bergamot FCF (furocoumarin-free) in our range. With FCF, the furocoumarins, including bergapten, have been removed after extraction. The aroma is comparable but somewhat less complex and deep. The big advantage: FCF is not phototoxic and can therefore be processed without problems in day creams, body lotions, deodorants and other products for daytime use.

Choose the cold-pressed variant if you want the full, classic bergamot aroma for evening products, perfume, diffuser or rinse-off applications. Choose FCF if you want to process bergamot in a day care or sun-exposed product.

Tips when using Bergamot Essential Oil

• Store the oil in a cool, dark place. Citrus oils are more sensitive to oxidation than other essential oils, and proper storage significantly extends shelf life.
• Always close the bottle properly after use. Contact with air can cause the oil to lose its scent and effect more quickly.
• Test first on a small piece of skin before using the oil for the first time, especially if you have sensitive skin.
• Always work with grams and percentages, not with drops. Drops vary in size and make it difficult to stay within safe limits.

Points of attention and side effects

Bergamot Essential Oil is phototoxic. The oil naturally contains furocoumarins, a group of molecules that react with skin cells under the influence of UV light and can cause skin damage. This can lead to blistering, redness and long-lasting hyperpigmentation, sometimes for months.

According to the IFRA 51st Amendment (2023), the maximum safe dosage in leave-on products on the skin is 0.4 percent. This means for a care product of 100 grams maximum 0.4 grams bergamot oil. For a 30 ml serum that is approximately 0.12 grams. Because of this phototox restriction, the IFRA limit is also the practical working dosage here, never exceed it.

Be careful when combining with other essential oils
Citrus oils naturally contain allergens such as limonene, linalool, citral and geraniol. When you combine multiple essential oils in one recipe, these allergens accumulate. Take this into account to stay within legal allergen limits, especially when making blends with multiple citrus or flower oils.

For products that you rinse off, such as soap, shower gel or shampoo, more generous maxima apply because the oil does not remain on the skin.

If you want the fresh bergamot aroma in a product that is worn during the day, choose our Bergamot FCF (furocoumarin-free). This variant has been stripped of the phototoxic molecules and has no restriction for sunlight.

Not recommended for use during pregnancy without consultation with an expert. Keep out of reach of children. When in doubt or with sensitive skin always test first on a small spot and wait 24 hours before using on larger surfaces. Always use the oil diluted, never pure on the skin.