Table of Contents
- Photosensitive Essential Oils: Quick List
- What Is Essential Oil Photosensitization?
- Signs of a Phototoxic Reaction
- Photosensitive Essential Oils
- Angelica Root (Angelica archangelica)
- Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
- Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
- Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
- Laurel Leaf Absolute (Laurus nobilis)
- Lemon, Cold-Pressed (Citrus limon)
- Lime, Cold-Pressed (Citrus aurantifolia)
- Bitter Orange, Cold-Pressed (Citrus aurantium)
- Mandarin Leaf (Citrus reticulata)
- Fig Leaf Absolute (Ficus carica)
- Rue Essential Oil (Ruta graveolens)
- How to Avoid Photosensitization
- Sun-Safe Citrus Essential Oils
- Sun-Safe Citrus Recipes
- Free Cheat Sheet: Sun Safety and Essential Oils Guide
- FAQs
Updated November 2026
Most photosensitive essential oils are cold-pressed citrus oils, like bergamot, lime, and lemon, and they can cause a painful, sunburn-like reaction when they're on your skin in the sun. You can still use them: keep them under their safe limits, wait 12 hours before sun, or choose a sun-safe version like bergamot FCF or steam-distilled lime. Below is the full list with safe levels, how to avoid a reaction, and a sun-safe citrus body oil. Jump to the quick list.
New to essential oils? Start with my essential oils for beginners guide.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Photosensitive Essential Oils: Quick List
These are the phototoxic essential oils to watch for, with the maximum safe dilution if the skin will be in the sun within 12 hours. Levels are from Essential Oil Safety (2nd Ed) by Tisserand and Young.
| Essential oil | Max on sun-exposed skin | Drops per 1 oz (30 ml) carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Angelica root (Angelica archangelica) | 0.8% | About 5 drops |
| Bergamot, cold-pressed (Citrus bergamia) | 0.4% | About 2 drops (less than 1 drop in a 10 ml roller, so use bergamot FCF on skin) |
| Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) | 0.4% | About 2 drops |
| Grapefruit, cold-pressed (Citrus paradisi) | 4% | About 24 drops |
| Laurel leaf absolute (Laurus nobilis) | 2% | About 12 drops |
| Lemon, cold-pressed (Citrus limon) | 2% | About 12 drops |
| Lime, cold-pressed (Citrus aurantifolia) | 0.7% | About 4 drops |
| Bitter orange, cold-pressed (Citrus aurantium) | 1.25% | About 7 drops (I keep it out of my skin blends) |
| Mandarin leaf (Citrus reticulata) | 0.17% | About 1 drop |
| Rue (Ruta graveolens) | Never use | On my never-use list |
| Fig leaf absolute (Ficus carica) | Do not use | None |
Sun-safe swaps: sweet orange, mandarin (peel), tangerine, yuzu, steam-distilled lemon, steam-distilled lime, and bergamot FCF. Download the free printable cheat sheet.
What Is Essential Oil Photosensitization?
Essential oil photosensitization (also called phototoxicity) happens when certain natural compounds in an oil react with UV light on the skin.
This reaction is also known as photocontact dermatitis: "a reaction to a substance applied to the skin that occurs only in the presence of UV light in the UVA range, and it may be either phototoxic or photo allergenic." - Essential Oil Safety (2nd Ed) by Tisserand and Young, pg. 84
The compounds responsible are called furanocoumarins. They are found mostly in citrus oils that are cold-pressed from the peel, which is why steam-distilled versions of the same oils are usually sun-safe.
To learn more about how to use essential oils safely, see my essential oil safety tips.
Signs of a Phototoxic Reaction
A phototoxic reaction can show up within hours of sun exposure. The risk goes up if you use several photosensitizing oils in the same blend.
- An exaggerated sunburn, sometimes with blisters (the most common reaction)
- Strong reddening of the skin
- Swelling and dark patches of skin
- Pigment changes that can take months to fade, and sometimes don't fully go away
"Certain drugs, such as tetracycline, increase the photosensitivity of the skin, thus increasing the harmful effects of photosensitizing essential oils under the necessary conditions." - NAHA
Photosensitive Essential Oils
Here are the phototoxic oils to avoid applying to your skin before sun exposure, or to keep at or below the safe level listed. When properly diluted, you can use these oils on skin that will be in the sun without a phototoxic reaction.
You can read more in Essential Oil Safety (2nd Ed) by Tisserand and Young (affiliate link), pages 84 to 88. It is a very technical book, more of a textbook than an easy read, but if you love the science you will enjoy it.
Angelica Root (Angelica archangelica)
Angelica root has an earthy, woody, slightly spicy scent. The root oil contains furanocoumarins, so keep it well diluted on any skin that will see the sun.
- Safe level: 0.8%, about 4.8 drops max per 1 ounce of carrier oil
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Bergamot has a sweet, fruity, citrusy scent, and regular cold-pressed bergamot is strongly phototoxic. It contains bergapten, the compound responsible. At 0.4%, that's less than 1 drop in a 10 ml roller, so choose bergamot FCF (see below) for skin products.
- Safe level: 0.4%, about 2.4 drops max per 1 ounce of carrier oil
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
Cumin has a warm, earthy, spicy aroma. It is phototoxic and can also irritate skin, so it is best used in a diffuser or kept at very low dilutions.
- Safe level: 0.4%, about 2.4 drops max per 1 ounce of carrier oil
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
Grapefruit has a bright, invigorating scent. Cold-pressed grapefruit is only mildly phototoxic, so it has a higher safe level than most citrus oils.
- Safe level: 4%, about 24 drops max per 1 ounce of carrier oil
Laurel Leaf Absolute (Laurus nobilis)
Laurel leaf essential oil is different from laurel leaf absolute, and the essential oil is the type most commonly sold. Only the absolute is phototoxic. Learn more about the difference between essential oils and absolutes.
- Safe level: 2%, about 12 drops max per 1 ounce of carrier oil
Lemon, Cold-Pressed (Citrus limon)
Lemon has a fresh, cheerful scent that many people love in skin care. Most lemon oil is cold-pressed from the peel, which makes it phototoxic.
- Safe level: 2%, about 12 drops max per 1 ounce of carrier oil. Steam-distilled lemon is not phototoxic.
Lime, Cold-Pressed (Citrus aurantifolia)
Cold-pressed lime is one of the stronger phototoxic citrus oils. Read all about sun-safe lime essential oil that is steam-distilled.
- Safe level: 0.7%, about 4.2 drops max per 1 ounce of carrier oil. Steam-distilled lime is not phototoxic.
Bitter Orange, Cold-Pressed (Citrus aurantium)
Bitter orange comes from a different tree than sweet orange and is phototoxic when cold-pressed. I keep it out of my skin blends. Don't confuse the two: sweet orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis) is sun-safe and the one I prefer to use.
- Safe level: 1.25%, about 7.5 drops max per 1 ounce of carrier oil
Mandarin Leaf (Citrus reticulata)
Mandarin leaf oil is uncommon and different from regular mandarin oil. When buying mandarin, check that it is cold-pressed from the peel, not the leaf. Mandarin peel oil is considered sun-safe.
- Safe level: 0.17%, about 1 drop max per 1 ounce of carrier oil
Fig Leaf Absolute (Ficus carica)
Fig leaf absolute should not be used on the skin at all because it is extremely phototoxic and sensitizing.
- Safe level: High risk, no safe maximum dermal use level
Rue Essential Oil (Ruta graveolens)
Rue is on my never-use list. Besides causing severe sun reactions, it is toxic if swallowed, irritates skin, and should never be used during pregnancy. If you come across it, skip it.
- Safe level: None. I don't use rue at all, not even diluted or in a diffuser.
A few more essential oils are possibly phototoxic, according to Tisserand and Young:
- Clementine (it hasn't been tested, so there's limited data on whether it's phototoxic; I don't count it as sun-safe)
- Lemon verbena (may be mildly phototoxic; its 0.9% skin limit comes from citral)
- Combava fruit oil
- Skimmia oil
- Angelica root absolute
- Angelica root CO2 extract
- Celery leaf oil
- Celery seed absolute
- Cumin seed absolute
- Cumin seed CO2 extract
- Khella oil
- Lovage leaf oil
- Parsnip oil
How to Avoid Photosensitization
Here are six simple ways to keep enjoying these oils safely.
1. Use Aromatically Instead
The simplest way to avoid a reaction is to not put phototoxic oils on your skin. Enjoy them in a diffuser, an aromatherapy inhaler, or an essential oil diffuser necklace instead.
2. Dilute Properly
Photosensitive essential oils can still be used on skin that will see UV light, as long as you stay at or below the safe levels in the chart above.
3. Enjoy in Wash-Off Recipes
It is fine to use these oils in hand soaps, body washes, and other recipes that are rinsed off.
"There is generally no phototoxic risk if the oils are used in a product that is either not applied to the body or is washed off the skin, such as shampoo, bath preparation, or soap. However, essential oils can adhere to the skin if used in a sauna or steam inhalation." - Essential Oil Safety (2nd Ed) by Tisserand and Young, pg. 88
I still leave phototoxic oils out of a long soak before going in the sun, just to be safe.
4. Avoid the Sun
If you go above the safe levels, keep that skin out of the sun and tanning beds for 12 hours after applying the oil. Have a favorite skin care recipe with grapefruit or lemon? Apply it in the evening.
5. Cover Up
Covering skin where you applied photosensitive oils can prevent a reaction. Just make sure the fabric truly blocks the sun, since a thin T-shirt may not be enough.
"There is no risk if the skin to which the oils are applied is covered in such a way as to prevent UV rays from reaching them." - Essential Oil Safety by Tisserand and Young, pg. 88
6. Use Essential Oils That Are Sun-Safe
Many oils can stand in for phototoxic ones. Choose an oil with a similar aroma that is not on the phototoxic list.
Cold-pressed lime and lemon are phototoxic, but steam-distilled versions lack the compounds that cause sun sensitivity, so they are not phototoxic.
"The furanocoumarins are relatively non-volatile molecules and are generally found in expressed (cold-pressed) citrus fruit oils, but not in distilled citrus fruit oils." - Essential Oil Safety (2nd Ed) by Tisserand and Young, pg. 85
That means you can still enjoy lime and lemon in skin blends on a sunny day. Look for "steam distilled" on the label.
Bergamot FCF Essential Oil
You can buy bergamot with the bergapten (a furanocoumarin) removed. It is called bergamot FCF, which stands for furanocoumarin free, and it's the bergamot to choose for any skin blend.
Sun-Safe Citrus Essential Oils
Many people think all citrus oils are phototoxic, but that isn't true. These citrus oils are safe to use on skin before going in the sun:
- Bergamot FCF, bergapten-free (Citrus bergamia)
- Steam-distilled lemon (Citrus limon)
- Steam-distilled lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
- Mandarin, from the peel (Citrus reticulata)
- Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
- Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
- Yuzu (Citrus junos)
Sun-Safe Citrus Recipes
Sun-Safe Citrus Body Oil
Body oil · Ages 12+ · 2%
A cheerful citrus body oil made only with sun-safe oils, for a warm, sunny day.
- 10 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
- 8 drops tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
- 6 drops steam-distilled lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
- Jojoba oil to fill a 2 oz (60 ml) pump or dropper bottle
Directions: Add the essential oils to the bottle, top with jojoba, and shake to blend. Pump a small amount into your hand and smooth onto skin.
Little Sunshine Body Oil
Body oil · Ages 2+ · 0.5%
The same sunny citrus scent, made gentle for little ones.
- 3 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
- 3 drops tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
- Jojoba oil to fill a 2 oz (60 ml) pump or dropper bottle
Directions: Make it the same way as the grown-up body oil. Smooth a little onto arms and legs, and keep the bottle out of reach so you do the applying yourself.
Note: Label it with your child's name and the dilution, and check with your pediatrician before using it on ages 2 to 4. See my kid safe essential oils list for more.
A Few Safety Basics
• Keep essential oils away from babies under 2, including diffusing in a room they're in.
• Always dilute oils before they touch skin, and patch test a new blend on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours.
• Check the age on each recipe. Kids 2 to 4 use only six starter oils at 0.5%, after checking with your pediatrician. Kids 5 to 11 stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• If you're pregnant, check with your doctor or midwife first. For the first 16 weeks I use only six oils, and only in a diffuser or inhaler: lavender, sweet orange, lemon, ginger, cedarwood (Virginian), and frankincense. After that, skin blends stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• Use fresh citrus oils. Old, oxidized citrus is more likely to irritate skin, so date each bottle when you open it and use it within 1 to 2 years.
• Never put oils on pets, and diffuse with a door open so they can leave. Cats are especially sensitive, including to tea tree, citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus, pine, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, and ylang ylang.
• Never swallow essential oils. If someone does, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Free Cheat Sheet: Sun Safety and Essential Oils Guide
Keep this quick reference guide handy all summer long. Get the free printable Phototoxic Essential Oils cheat sheet, with the max for each oil, what to do with it, and sun-safe swaps. No email required, just please share this post so your friends and family can stay sun-safe too.
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More Essential Oil Safety Posts
- 7 Essential Oil Safety Tips Every Beginner Should Know
- How to Do an Essential Oil Skin Patch Test
- Diluting Essential Oils: Dilution Calculator and Chart
- Maximum Dilution for Essential Oils: Safe Limits for 47 Oils
- 50 Kid Safe Essential Oils List
- Do Essential Oils Expire?
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