Scents & Sensibility: Essential Oils and the Sun

I asked my followers on my Facebook page what questions they had about essential oils and proper usage, and I thought this question was perfect to answer to prepare for summertime coming up!

The specific question was: “Why are citrus oils not recommended to use on my skin in the summer? I love lemon!”

As the weather warms up and we spend more time outdoors, many people are reaching for their favorite essential oils to stay refreshed, calm, or energized. But did you know that some essential oils—especially citrus oils—can actually make your skin MORE sensitive to sunlight?

It’s called photosensitivity, and if you’re not aware of it, you could end up with more than just a sunburn.

What Is Photosensitivity?

Photosensitivity is a reaction that occurs when certain substances on your skin interact with UV rays. In the case of essential oils, this can lead to redness, burning, blistering, or long-lasting discoloration on areas of skin that were exposed to both the oil and the sun.

It doesn’t happen with all essential oils—but it’s surprisingly common with some of the most popular ones.

The Culprits: Citrus Oils

Many citrus-based essential oils contain compounds called furanocoumarins. These natural chemicals react with sunlight and increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV light. This means that these particular oils are phototoxic. 

Some of the most phototoxic essential oils include:

• Bergamot

• Lemon (cold-pressed)

• Lime (cold-pressed)

• Grapefruit

• Bitter orange

  
  

If you apply any of these oils to your skin and then go out into direct sunlight (or even use a tanning bed), you could experience a phototoxic reaction.

*Side note- Did you notice I specified that cold-pressed lime is  phototoxic? That's because Lime is unique—it can be cold-pressed or distilled, and the production method determines whether it's phototoxic. Cold-pressed Lime is phototoxic, but distilled Lime is not.

I did include lemon with that caveat too, because other citruses, like lemon, can be distilled as well, but it's not as common of a practice. Because it’s not common, I advise all my clients to treat all lemon as if it’s cold pressed, which is phototoxic. 

If you’re thinking right now, “Oh, great, all my favorite oils are now banned from using in the summer”, don’t worry, because I also have some substitutes you can use!

Here is a list of some popular citrus oils that are NOT phototoxic, and you can use freely in the summer without added risk: 

• Green mandarin

• Sweet Orange

• Yuzu

• Tangerine

  
  

“But Rachel, I don’t want to just give up my lemon essential oil altogether!” That’s fine! I have this handy checklist (and guide!) to using your phototoxic oils if you don’t want to swap them out! 

How to Use Them Safely and Protect Your Skin

1. Dilute Properly: Always mix essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba. This can help reduce the concentration on your skin. Use a lower dilution of these oils in your blends- limit it to 1% instead of the usual 2%, for example. For lemon, I would limit usage to 6 drops per oz. Bergamot and lime have much more of a risk of reaction than lemon, so I’d avoid them altogether in the sun unless you’re under the care of a qualified aromatherapist (hello!) to determine your specific needs.

2. Focus on Timing: Avoid using photosensitive oils on your skin at least a couple hours before sun exposure.

3. Use Them at Night: Apply citrus oils in your evening routine to avoid daytime UV exposure. Or just use phototoxic oils on parts of skin not exposed to sunlight- avoiding sensitive areas and broken skin.

4. Stick to Diffusing: You can still enjoy the bright, uplifting scent of citrus oils by using them in a diffuser instead of applying them to your skin. You can also use a personal inhaler if you need an energy or happiness boost from your go-to citrus oil!

5. Look for Steam-Distilled Versions: Some citrus oils (like lemon or lime) are available in steam-distilled forms that are not phototoxic—check your labels!

   
   

Final Thoughts

Essential oils are powerful tools for wellness, but it’s important to understand how they interact with the world around us—including the sun. In short: essential oils and sunshine can still be part of the same wellness routine—just not at the same time. With a little timing and awareness, you can protect your skin while still enjoying your favorite oils!

So go ahead—breathe in that citrusy boost of joy. Just save the sunny strolls for after your skin has had time to rest. 

Be sure to follow my facebook page at Rachel Dufour, Aromatherapist for all the tips, tricks, education, and DIYs in the wonderful world of essential oils! And, if you have any requests for column posts, feel free to shoot me a DM!

See you next week! :)