Phototoxicity and Essential Oils: Avoiding the Not-So-Skin-Friendly Sun Reactions of Certain Essential Oils

What To Know About Summer, Sunlight, and Essential Oils

As of June 20^th, the sun hits its most northern position directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere. This is referred to as astronomical summer or the summer solstice.

This means many sun-deficient individuals can finally head outdoors to soak up the precious rays of light. Essential oils can be a wonderful ally to support all the benefits gained from sunbathing, but there are some considerations to keep in mind regarding skin safety. Specifically, certain oils can cause unwanted skin reactions when one is exposed to sunlight. These should be avoided or applied cautiously.

In this video, we’ll cover all you need to know about summertime fun with essential oils. Topics include:

• the many benefits of sun exposure
• the dangers of too much of a good (sunny) thing
• important details about phototoxicity and photosensitivity
• which oils are sun sensitive
• what are furanocoumarins (FCs)
• what factors lead to more severe phototoxicity
• precautions to consider when using essential oils containing FCs
• why FCs are not all bad and their benefits

As always, all the resources and references will be within the links in this accompanying post and resource section.

So, let’s get started!

 

The Many Benefits of Sunshine

You have likely experienced the instant upliftment in your spirits on a sunny day. Your wider grin due to the increase in brightness is not just a fluke. It is one of the many benefits of sunshine, and there are many others. These include:

• Enhancing our mood and energy by boosting our serotonin levels.
• Production of vitamin D through the UV radiation stimulating the 7-dehydrocholesterol located in the epidermis of our skin. This pro-hormone is essential for bone health, immune function, and overall vitality. In fact, at least 900 different genes, which impact almost every tissue in the body, are now thought to be regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]D), the active form of the vitamin D.
• Regulating our circadian rhyme, or sleep-wake cycle.
• Improving heart health by increasing nitric oxide.
• Decreasing inflammation.
• Aiding relief of skin conditions.
• Supporting eye health and reducing eye strain caused by prolonged screen time.
• Lowering our risk for various cancers.

Learn more about the benefits of the sun here.

 

Too Much of a Good (Sunny) Thing

However, there are risks to too much sun. These include burning, DNA alterations, skin cancer, and rapid skin aging. Furthermore, sunscreen has its caveats. Many contain risky chemicals and often do not offer complete protection.

Luckily, safe mineral sunscreens combined with certain protective nutrients and antioxidants can be helpful to prevent premature skin aging and decrease cancer risk. Essential oils can also be a wonderful support aid for the summertime. They can assist with soothing skin redness from the sun’s rays. Additionally, oils help with boosting our mood, promoting restful sleep, and can deter various annoying pests and vector-infecting critters.

Yet, we must be cautious of certain essential oils that, when applied to sun-exposed skin, can cause alterations in skin tone. This is a process known as phototoxicity.

 

What is Phototoxicity?

The term “phototoxicity” sounds super scary, but it’s really just an increased sensitivity to UV light. Although it is not fatal, it is unsightly and can cause skin damage and emotional upheaval.

So, what exactly is phototoxicity?

Lindsey Elmore, pharmacist and essential oil expert, previously wrote a post on this topic. She reported that:

• Phototoxicity is a type of allergic reaction where a chemical substance increases the sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light.
• Furanocoumarins (FCs) found in some essential oils squeeze between base pairs in DNA. When exposed to UV light, the FCs form covalent bonds with DNA. 
• This crosslinks the DNA. Crosslinking causes an inflammatory response: redness of the skin, sunburn, and, in severe cases, blistering. 
• Unlike regular sunburn, phototoxicity reactions are sometimes delayed for several days. The change in the color of skin may last for weeks.

 

More on Photosensitivity, Phototoxicity, and Photoallergy

According to SkinCancer.org, a phototoxic reaction is a type of photosensitivity, which also encompasses photoallergic reactions. An excerpt from Chapter 97: Phototoxicity and Photoallergy in Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology textbook dug deeper into the distinctions:

• Photosensitivity to exogenous agents is broadly divided into phototoxicity and photoallergy; it is caused by topical or systemic agents that absorb ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation.
• Phototoxicity occurs in anyone exposed to sufficient doses of phototoxic agent and UV radiation; it usually manifests as an exaggerated sunburn reaction.
• Photoallergy is an immune reaction to a UVA-modified chemical, commonly topical sunscreen agents and antimicrobials in the United States and the United Kingdom, and topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents in Europe. It presents as eczematous eruption on sun-exposed areas.
• Phototoxicity and photoallergy do occur in patients with skin of color, frequently resulting in postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

To summarize, photosensitivity can be divided into two parts. We have phototoxicity, which is an interaction between FCs in essentials oils with our DNA leading to an inflammatory skin response that is stimulated by sun exposure. Then, we have photoallergy, which is an immune-mediated response triggered by UVA light causing a form of dermatitis.

 

More on the Furanocoumarins and Which Essential Oils Contain Then

So, now that we know why we should be cautious of FCs, let’s learn more about them and which essential oils contain them.

Tisserand Institute states:

“There are quite a few FCs, and their photoxicity varies from negligible to potent. FCs are only present in very small percentages in essential oils, usually less than 1%, but even 0.1% can be phototoxic. FCs are primarily found in two plant families: Apiacea and Rutaceae, though a few Asteraceae, Moraceae and Fabaceae species also contain them.”

The majority of phototoxic reactions often result from expressed citrus oils of the Rutaceae family, which contain these FCs. Yet, there are others. Some commonly known photosensitizing essential oils include:

• Angelica Root Essential Oil
• Bergamot (Cold Pressed)
• Bitter Orange (Cold Pressed)
• Cumin
• Fig Leaf Absolute
• Grapefruit (Cold Pressed)
• Lemon (Cold Pressed)
• Lime (Cold Pressed)
• Mandarin Leaf
• Opopanax
• Rue
• Tagetes

(Source: Aromaweb)

There are additional lists of phototoxic oils from the Tisserand Institute and The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) (under the tab “Photosensitizers” in Dermal Safety).

 

What Determines the Severity of the Phototoxic Response of Essential Oils?

According to Tisserand Institute, there are five factors which determine the severity of a phototoxic reaction. These include:

1) The amount and potency of phototoxic chemical(s) consumed or applied

2) The type of topical application (leave-on or wash-off)

3) The time elapsed since application or consumption

4) The intensity & duration of UV radiation

5) The person’s skin phototype

 

Precautions to Consider with Phototoxic Oils

So, how can we best enjoy our beloved citrus and FC-containing oils throughout the whole year without harming our skin?

Precautions to prevent a phototoxic reaction include:

• being aware of what oils cause a phototoxic reaction
• covering the application area if you are going outdoors
• waiting 12-18 hours before exposure to the sun if the oils were applied (source, source)
• properly diluting photosensitive oils when applicable:
  • The phototoxicity associated with oils that contain FCs is avoidable if appropriately diluted in low concentrations.
  • The two caveats are (1) if you are combining multiple oils with FCs and (2) if you are sunbathing. In these instances, it may be best to avoid topical applications completely for 12-18 hours.
  • This chart lists the proper dilution for some of the phototoxic oils.

An article on Aromaweb wrote the following based on a summary from Usage Recommendations Per Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young:

“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. 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.”

“We recommend that skin treated with phototoxic oils at levels higher than those maximum use levels, should not be exposed to UV light for 12-18 hours.”

 

What About the Lemon Oil in My Tea?

Risks for ingesting essential oils with FCs are minimal and unlikely vs. applying them topically. This is due to the amounts needed to cause a reaction and how quickly they exit the body.

Still, it’s important to take precautions when ingesting essential oils. They must be high quality and should be diluted with some sort of fat (coconut oil), honey, or carrier oil so as not to irritate your esophagus.

 

Giving Some Love to Furanocoumarins (FCs)

Finally, it’s important not to demonize our FCs found in essential oils, because these compounds do have therapeutic properties. They are anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, hypoglycemic (lowering blood sugar), and support bone health.

 

Summing Up About Phototoxicity and Essential Oils

Phototoxicity is a chemical reaction that occurs when furanocoumarins (FCs), components in essential oils, cause an unwanted skin response from UV exposure. This can result in an alteration of skin color and lead to dislocation. Although this does not negate the benefits of these essential oils, it is important to be aware of which ones to avoid slathering on when heading to the beach.

FCs are mostly found in expressed citrus oil, but other essential oils may also contain them. Therefore, one should take precautions when going outdoors on a sunny day by being aware of which oils require additional dilution and/or a waiting period of 12-18 hours after topical application.

As an aside, I personally learned about the woes of phototoxicity the hard way, not once, but two times! I experienced a reaction between the furanocoumarins (FCs) in lemon essential oil with the crosslinking of the DNA in my skin cells from (1) sunbathing on a beach in Italy and (2) on a lake paddleboarding. Hopefully, this video will spare you from making the same mistake I made… twice.

I’d love to hear what you learned about essential oils and sun exposure. Please post your comments below.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn how to nurture your mind, body, heart, and soul.

Sending you many blessings.

 

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Resources on Phototoxicity and Essential Oils:

• Some Essential Oils Increase Risk of Sunburn (Lindsey Elmore)
• Phototoxicity: What You Need to Know About Essential Oils and Sun Exposure (My video blog with references)
• A Naturopathic Doctor’s Four Favorite Summer Essential Oil Blends to Promote Grounding, Courage, Peace, and Overall Mood (My article with references)
• How to Prevent Yourself from Being the Main Course on Mr. Mosquito’s Menu (My article with references)
• An Integrative Approach to the Treatment and Prevention of Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases with Dr. Alexis Chesney, MS, ND, LAc (Detailed notes of episode 421 of the Essential Oils Revolution)
• Could You Get Burned by Sippin’ On Sun-Sensitive Essential Oils While Enjoying the Summertime Rays?: Part II (My article with references)
• Essential Oils, Allergic Responses, and Skin Sensitization – Why and What You Should Know (My article with references)
• Phototoxicity: essential oils, sun and safety (Tisserand Institute)
• Excerpt: Chapter 97: Phototoxicity and Photoallergy, Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology

 

Additional Sun Protective Resources:

• Eating for sun protection: In this review article, the photoprotective benefits from various foods rich in carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, vitamin E, and additional protective nutrients are explored.
• Here’s a DIY-recipe for an after-sun body oil (located at the bottom of the post).