Where the Sun Don’t Shine

Apr 20

Lemon slices in the shape of a sun on a yellow background to explain essential oils safety and sun exposure.

In aromatherapy, there’s an “F” word we try not to drop casually—and no, it’s not that one. It’s furanocoumarins.

These naturally occurring plant compounds—found in certain essential oils (mostly citrus and Angelica archangelica)—can make your skin extremely sensitive to sunlight. This is called phototoxicity, and it can lead to blistering, intense sunburn, or long-lasting changes in skin pigmentation where the oil was applied.

picture of a woman's forearm nect to a plain amber open bottle of essential oil, an amber bottle with a cork lid, and a small white candle glowing behind some small purple flowers. She is using the other hand to drop oils from a dropper.

🔆🔆🔆Oils to limit to where the sun don’t shine include bergamot, bitter orange, cold-pressed lemon and lime, grapefruit, and angelic root.🔆🔆🔆

Keep it simple:

Avoid applying to skin that will see sunlight
Or keep it to areas covered by clothing
Choose FCF (furanocoumarin-free) or steam-distilled citrus oils
Reach for gentler options like sweet orange, mandarin, or tangerine
Stick to a 1–2% dilution for general topical use

***Products, such as soaps and shampoos containing these oils, are generally safe***

Storing Essential Oils

Essential oils don’t like the sun or heat, as it speeds up oxidation. Citrus oils, especially, have a shorter shelf life of up to 9 months. Get the most shelf life by storing in a cool, dark place.