Phototoxicity: What You Need to Know About Essential Oils and Sun Exposure

Essential Oils Help Us Have Fun in the Sun… ‘Till They Don’t!

 

Transcript: *

Hello dear friends.

If you’re watching this video close to when it’s released, you know that we are in summertime in the Northeast.

This means more fun in the sun and longer days outdoors.

 

Essential Oils for the Summer

Essential oils can be a wonderful ally for the summertime. They can assist with uplifting our spirit, boosting our mood, aiding in more restful sleep, and in keeping various annoying pests and vector-infecting critters away.

However, there are some essential oils that aren’t the best of friends to our skin when we venture outside.

So today, our clinical tip will focus on the subject of phototoxicity.

 

Phototoxicity

If you’ve been in the essential oil sphere for a bit, you’ve probably heard of the term “phototoxicity.” It sounds super scary. Thankfully, it is not fatal, but it is unsightly and can cause skin damage and emotional upheaval.

So, what 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.

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 the sun on a beach in Italy and on a lake paddleboarding. Let’s just say I didn’t wear shorts either of those two summers because the lemon oil was applied to my legs! Hopefully, this video will spare you from having to go through my shortless summer.

 

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. 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.”

In laymen’s terms, the phototoxic reaction is most often from expressed citrus oils of the Rutaceae family, which contain these FCs. Yet, there are others. Commonly known photosensitizing essential oils:

• 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 NAHA (under the tab “Photosensitizers” in Dermal Safety).

 

Severity of the Phototoxic Response

According to Tisserand Institute, the severity of the reaction depends on these five factors:

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

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 if you are combining multiple oils and if you are sunbathing, it may be best to avoid them completely.
  • This chart lists the proper dilution for some of the phototoxic oils.
• Risks for ingesting essential oils with FCs is 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.

An article on Aromaweb summarizes 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.”

 

Giving Some Love to Furanocoumarins (FCs)

Finally, it’s important to not demonize oils with FCs, because these compounds have therapeutic properties. They tend to be anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, hypoglycemic (lowering blood sugar), and support bone health.

 

So, that’s what I wanted to share with you today in our clinical insights.

Now you have the information you need to enjoy essential oils in the summertime and keep your skin safe and healthy.

All the links to the resources are provided below.

Feel free to post your own experience with using essential oils during the sunny seasons.

Thanks for listening and take gentle care!

 

 

Resources:

• A Naturopathic Doctor’s Four Favorite Summer Essential Oil Blends to Promote Grounding, Courage, Peace, and Overall Mood
• How to Prevent Yourself from Being the Main Course on Mr. Mosquito’s Menu
• An Integrative Approach to the Treatment and Prevention of Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases with Dr. Alexis Chesney, MS, ND, LAc (Ep. 421)
• Could You Get Burned by Sippin’ On Sun-Sensitive Essential Oils While Enjoying the Summertime Rays?: Part II
• Essential Oils, Allergic Responses, and Skin Sensitization – Why and What You Should Know
• Phototoxicity: essential oils, sun and safety
• Some Essential Oils Increase Risk of Sunburn
• 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).

 

*Transcript has been edited for grammar and ease of reading.