Bergamot Essential Oil

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 slight spicy undertone. It is a classic top note in Eau de Cologne and the fragrance 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 bergaptene. These natural components are responsible for the recognizable aroma, the calming effect on the mood and the properties on the skin. Bergapten is also the substance that makes bergamot phototoxic, you can read more about that later.

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

How is Bergamot Essential Oil made?

Bergamot Essential Oil is extracted by cold pressing, also known as expression of cold pressing . In this process, the bergamot shells are mechanically compressed, causing the oil glands in the shell to burst open 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 mountain apts. 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 gloom. The aroma is uplifting and calming at the same time, making it excellent for moments of mental fatigue or nervousness.

Supports healthy, clear skin
Bergamot has a natural cleansing effect and is often used in formulations for oily or blemished skin. It can help to balance the skin and regulate sebum production.

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

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

How to use Bergamot Essential Oil?

When using on the skin, always dilute essential oil in a carrier oil or butter. For bergamot, due to phototoxicity, a legal maximum of 0.4 percent applies 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, Zoete Amandelolie of Shea Butter. Also read the explanation at the bottom about allergens when you combine multiple essential oils.

In a night serum or night cream
Bergamot is excellent for evening care that soothes and balances the skin. Only apply to skin that is not exposed to sunlight for the following hours.

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

In a diffuser
Put 4 to 6 drops in a aroma diffuser and fill your home with a fresh, uplifting scent. Combine with lavender for extra relaxation, or with incense 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 wider doses. A pleasant choice for a fresh, invigorating morning ritual.

What is the difference with Bergamot FCF?

In addition to this cold-pressed bergamot, we also have a Bergamot FCF (furocoumarinevrij) in our range. In FCF, the furocoumarins, including bergapten, have been removed after extraction. The aroma is similar but slightly less complex and deep. The big advantage: FCF is not phototoxic and can therefore be used in day creams, body lotions, deodorants and other daytime products without any problems.

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 use bergamot in a day care or sun-exposed product.

Tips for Using Bergamot Essential Oil

• Store the oil in a cool, dark place. Citrus oils are more susceptible to oxidation than other essential oils, and proper storage significantly extends their shelf life.
• Always close the bottle tightly after use. Contact with air can cause the oil to lose its fragrance and effect more quickly.
• Test on a small area of skin before using the oil for the first time, especially if you have sensitive skin.
• Always work with grams and percentages, not drops. Droplets 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 prolonged hyperpigmentation, sometimes for months.

According to the IFRA 51st Amendment (2023), the maximum safe dosage in leave-on products is on the skin 0.4 percent. For a care product of 100 grams, this means a maximum of 0.4 grams of bergamot oil. For a 30 ml serum, that's about 0.12 grams. Because of this phototox restriction, the IFRA limit here is also the practical working dose, never go above 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. Keep this in mind to stay within the legal allergen limits, especially when making blends with multiple citrus or floral oils.

For products that you rinse off, such as soap, shower gel or shampoo, longer maximums 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 (furocoumarinevrij). This variant has been stripped of the phototoxic molecules and has no restriction on 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 on a small area first and wait 24 hours before using it on larger areas. Always use the oil diluted, never pure on the skin.