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Summer Sunshine and Sun-Sensitizing Oils

With the heat of summer upon those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, we need to be aware that there are a few essential oils that may harmfully increase your skin's sensitivity to strong sunlight unless they are appropriately diluted. This extra sensitivity includes all ultra-violet light such as tanning beds. We call such essential oils "phototoxic" because they can cause severe burns that are slow to heal and may cause long-term or permanent skin discoloration. Phototoxic burns may not appear for 12-18 hours after exposure and may worsen for 1-3 days, with pigmentation appearing after a week and which may last for months.

Essential oils that are phototoxic (listed below) do not pose problems if inhaled or ingested in the reasonable amounts used in traditional aromatherapy. The potentially phototoxic essential oils are also suitable to use if applied to skin that is not exposed to direct ultra-violet light (such as sunlight or tanning beds) or if appropriately diluted. Most aromatherapists recommend waiting twelve to eighteen hours following an application of a phototoxic oil to skin that will be exposed to UV light, although Shirley and Len Price found that in their experience "it is reasonably safe to expose the skin of normal people to sunlight provided that more than two hours have elapsed since the application. This advice may be tempered by the holistic approach and any unusual sensitivity of the individual client."¹ However, to avoid the risk, we strongly suggest that one cover the area where the phototoxic oil was applied or wait a day before exposing the area to the UV light.

As an example, if you apply a phototoxic oil and then are invited to spend a day at a park or the zoo, it will not suffice to wash the exposed skin where you applied the phototoxic oil. The oil will have penetrated deep into the skin almost immediately. If the phototoxic oil was appropriately diluted (see safe dilution below), then there is no problem, but if it was not appropriately diluted, to avoid the risk you will want to cover the skin or decline the invitation and wait for another day.

The Chemistry Behind the Phototoxicity of Oils
The chemical constituents responsible for phototoxicity in oils are furanocoumarins. Phototoxicity is an adverse collision of two things: an essential oil containing a phototoxic constituent and UV light. Evidence of a reaction may take up to 24 hours, thus damage can occur long before you are aware of it. The initial reaction phase reveals itself with inflammation, possibly edema and blisters for 3-7 days. In some cases, hyper-pigmentation occurs and may last for months.²

Citrus oils that are NOT Phototoxic
Kaffir Lime Leaf (Citrus hystrix)
Lemon, distilled (Citrus limon)
Lime, distilled (Citrus aurantifolia)
Sweet or Blood Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Mandarin Peel (Commiphora reticulata)
Neroli orange blossom (Citrus x aurantium)
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium)
Satsuma (Citrus unshiu)
Tangelo (Citrus reticulata)
Tangerine (Citrus reticulata blanco)
Yuzu (Citrus junos)

Infused Oil
St. John's Wort - low risk (Hypericum peforatum)

To summarize, the above list of phototoxic oils are only problematic if applied above the suggested maximum level on skin that will be exposed to ultraviolet light. When used within safe parameters, you should not experience harmful results.

May you have a wonderful and safe summer,
Linda

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