Profile: Bergamot Essential Oil
Commonly known as: Expressed Citrus Bergamia Peel Oil (I.N.C.I.).
Botanical name: Citrus limon (L.) Burman f / Citrus bergamia Risso & Poiteau.
Extraction process: Cold pressing of the fresh pericarp of the fruit derived from organic farming.
Family: Rutaceae.
Extracted part of the plant: Pericarp (fruit's envelope).
Cultivation area, origin: The majority of bergamot plantations are located in Calabria, in the south of Italy.
Blooming: End of November to February.
Origin, provenance: Italy.
Phytochemical composition: Terpenic esters (linalyl acetate, neryl acetate, geranyl acetate), monoterpenes (α-pinene, camphene, limonene, gamma-terpinene, β-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, β-phellandrene, cis-β-ocimene), terpenic alcohols (linalool, geraniol, nerol, terpinolene), terpenic aldehydes (citral), coumarins (bergapten), sesquiterpenes (beta-bisabolene, trans-α-bergamotene).
Sensory properties: Appearance: Clear, mobile liquid (sediment may appear after storage); Colour: Dark yellow to green; Scent: Fresh, distinctive, pleasant.
Physical properties: Density: 0.874 - 0.883 g/cm3; Refractive Index: 1.460 - 1.472.
Concerns: Purifying, astringent, sebum-regulating, antibacterial, fragrant.
Effect: All skin types, particularly combination to oily skin, skin with blemishes, and acne-prone skin; All hair types, especially oily hair.
Details
Applications
Facial Care(serums, creams, lotions, scrubs, cleansing gels, masks);
Haircare (shampoos, conditioners) ;
Hygiene (deodorants, solid soaps, shower gels).
Method of Preservation
Store away from air, light, heat, and at a stable and moderate temperature.
Contraindications, Usage Precautions
Potentially irritating, dermocaustic and allergenic. When applied topically, do not use in children under 6 years of age, and in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Do not use undiluted on the skin. Dilute to 20% before any application.
Furthermore, the presence of furocoumarins (bergapten) gives this essential oil a photosensitising risk. Therefore, do not apply bergamot essential oil before sun exposure.
Some natural compounds found in high proportions in this essential oil, such as linalool, limonene, and geraniol, may pose a risk of allergy in certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (according to the 7th Amendment of the European Directive on cosmetic products (2003/15/EC)).
As a general rule, always perform an application test of your preparation on the crook of your elbow, at least 48 hours before using it on the targeted area.