Photosensitization Essential Oils

An essential oil that exhibits this quality will cause burning or skin pigmentation changes, such as tanning, on exposure to sun or similar light (ultraviolet rays). Reactions can range from a mild color change through to deep weeping burns. Do not use or recommend the use of photosensitizing essential oils prior to going into a sun tanning booth or the sun. Recommend that the client stay out of the sun or sun tanning booth for at least twenty-four hours after treatment if photosensitizing essential oils were applied to the skin. Certain drugs, such as tetracycline, increase the photosensitivity of the skin, thus increasing the harmful effects of photosensitizing essential oils under the necessary conditions. This table lists some common essential oils considered to be photosensitizers.

Essential Oil	Latin Name
Angelica root	Angelica archangelica
Bergamot	Citrus bergamia
Cumin	Cuminum cyminum
Distilled or expressed grapefruit (low risk)	Citrus paradisi
Expressed lemon	Citrus limon
Expressed lime	Citrus medica
Orange, bitter (expressed)	Citrus aurantium
Rue	Ruta graveolens