Bergamot Oil
Bergamot essential oil and its sun-sensitizing compound bergapten: documented skin reactions, what small trials found for stress and PMS symptoms, and plain safety limits.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Safety first: sunlight. Bergamot oil has documented sun-triggered skin reactions. A journal report described two patients who developed blistering (bullous) phototoxic reactions 48 to 72 hours after bergamot aromatherapy oil and later ultraviolet exposure. [1] One of them had not touched the oil but was exposed to evaporated oil in a sauna and then UVA in a tanning salon. [1] Do not swallow essential oils. If anyone has swallowed any essential oil, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222; call 911 for collapse, a seizure or trouble breathing. [2] See Phototoxicity: citrus oils and sunlight.
What bergamot oil is
Bergamot oil is an essential oil from bergamot, a citrus fruit that a 2017 systematic review describes as originating in the Mediterranean region of southern Italy (Calabria). [3] The name on research papers is Citrus bergamia Risso & Poiteau. [3] The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) now treats Citrus bergamia as a synonym of Citrus × limon, so you may see either name. [4] The review lists uses in perfumes, cosmetics and for stress reduction. [3]You may also meet the word "bergamot" on tea labels. Tea is a different product and is not covered by this page; see Tisane vs tea.
Bergapten and phototoxicity
Oil of bergamot has photosensitive properties because of furocoumarins, primarily bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen, "5-MOP"), which is also potentially phototoxic and photomutagenic, according to a dermatology report. [1] The same report notes that bergamot oil had been widely used in cosmetics but was restricted or banned in most countries because of certain adverse effects, and that aromatherapy use was gaining popularity again. [1]A related skin condition, Berloque dermatitis, is caused by high concentrations of psoralen-containing fragrances, most commonly oil of bergamot. [5] A German food-safety commission stated that the highest furanocoumarin levels were likely in products containing lime or bergamot oil, and that no furanocoumarins were found in distilled citrus oils. [6] For label reading, see Reading an essential oil label. We did not find in the sources we read a statement about what level is safe on skin, so we state none.
A laboratory study using human red blood cells found moderate UVA-induced haemolysis with bergamot oil and several other fragrance materials; the authors concluded some, but not all, fragrances show phototoxic effects in vitro. [7] Laboratory tests do not show what happens on a person's skin.
What research shows
A 2017 systematic review found ten clinical studies of bergamot not combined with other substances: six on bergamot oil and stress, three on a juice polyphenol extract for blood fats, and one on the oil in psoriasis. [3] The review judged studies to be small and not high quality, and said effectiveness and safety could not be definitively drawn because of publication bias and low quality. [3]| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Population and form studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stress | The 2017 review said aromatherapy "could be safe and useful" for stress symptoms but studies were small and low quality. [3] | Promising but limited | Adults; inhaled scent |
| Premenstrual symptoms | In a randomized trial of 90 women, smelling bergamot oil for 30 minutes was linked with lower total premenstrual syndrome scores than placebo; there was no effect on the menstrual symptom scale. [8] | Promising but limited | Women with PMS; inhaled |
| Psoriasis | One study suggests a possible supporting role with ultraviolet B therapy. [3] | Insufficient evidence | One study; ultraviolet exposure is the very risk above |
| Cholesterol (juice polyphenols) | The juice extract reportedly lowered blood fats in moderate hyperlipidemia. [3] | Not about the oil | Juice extract, not essential oil |
Trials like these are small, hard to blind (people can smell the oil) and rely on self-reported scores.
Frequently asked questions
Why is bergamot oil linked to sunburn-like reactions?
It contains furocoumarins, mainly bergapten, that react with ultraviolet light. [1]
Can bergamot oil affect me through the air?
In one reported case, a person developed blisters after exposure to evaporated oil in a sauna followed by UVA. [1] That is one case report, not a rate.
Is bergamot oil the same as the bergamot in tea?
We do not describe tea here; see the tea pages. The research on this page is about the oil.
Is there good evidence bergamot oil relieves stress?
A systematic review found small, low-quality studies and could not draw firm conclusions. [3]
Should bergamot oil be swallowed or put in water?
No advice to do so is given. Poison Control says to call a poison center if an essential oil is swallowed. [2]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety by group
- Medicines: The sources we read do not describe interactions of bergamot oil on skin or in the air with medicines. Not described is not proof of none. See How interactions work. Ask a pharmacist if you take medicines that make skin sun-sensitive.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies and children: The sources we read do not give bergamot-specific advice. Poison Control says children have thin skin and immature livers, which might make them more susceptible to toxic effects than adults. [2] Ask a clinician; see Essential oils around babies and children.
- Allergy: Poison Control says allergy to an essential oil is a very real possibility. [2]
- Surgery and light therapy: tell your care team about oils you use, especially before ultraviolet treatment or tanning. See Before surgery.
References
- Accidental bullous phototoxic reactions to bergamot aromatherapy oil. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001 (abstract read via PubMed). Read 2026-10-23.
- Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center). Essential oils: Poisonous when misused. Read 2026-10-23.
- Clinical Pharmacology of Citrus bergamia: A Systematic Review. Phytother Res. 2017 (abstract read via PubMed). Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: species name matching for Citrus limon, C. bergamia, C. x aurantium, C. sinensis, C. x paradisi, C. x aurantiifolia, C. reticulata. Read 2026-10-23.
- Berloque dermatitis induced by "Florida water". Cutis. 2002 (abstract read via PubMed). Read 2026-10-23.
- Senate Commission on Food Safety (SKLM), German Research Foundation. Update of the toxicological assessment of furanocoumarins in foodstuffs. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011 (abstract read via PubMed). Read 2026-10-23.
- Evaluation of phototoxic properties of fragrances. Acta Derm Venereol. 2007 (abstract read via PubMed). Read 2026-10-23.
- The effect of aromatherapy intervention with Bergamot and Grapefruit essential oils on premenstrual syndrome and menstrual symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2025 (abstract read via PubMed). Read 2026-10-23.