Summertime calls for long days at the pool, brisk hikes in the mountains, and sunny picnics at the park. So oil up buttercup, and let the summer fun begin! But wait….before you start rolling on all the oils, be sure to share this post with friends and family so they know which oils are safe to use out in the sunlight.
As you might know already, certain oils can make your skin more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. Citrus oils in particular can cause sunburns and even rashes on your skin when exposed to the sun. We’ve dedicated this post to oil safety so you and your family can still have a stress-free, oil-filled summer.
Oil Safety & Sunlight
Ultraviolet radiation makes up about 10% of sunlight, and when it comes in contact with certain substances, it can create a chemical reaction. Certain essential oils, especially citrus ones, contain furocoumarins that can increase skin sensitivity to UV radiation. These are called photosensitive oils. In a nutshell, wearing photosensitive oils in the sun can lead to skin irritation and even burns.
Photosensitive Oils
The following oils are a few that you should avoid using before going out into the hot summer sun.
- Bergamot
- Orange
- Lemon
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Tangerine
Even without this list, you can still easily find out which oils are photosensitive by reading the label. Your essential oil brand cares about your wellbeing, so they’ve labelled each oil with safety information.
Now that you’re an expert on UV radiation and photosensitivity, you can spread the word and help prevent unnecessary sunburns this summer!
