Do you love to be outside in the sun?
I know I do! And of course, I love to apply my dōTERRA oils each and every day.
Right now, especially with such gorgeous sunny weather upon us, it’s extremely important to know which oils are safe to apply topically on exposed skin. Certain oils (pictured below) should not be applied to bare skin for 12-72 hours before heading out into the sun.
Here’s a really good rule of thumb:
In direct summer sun, only apply these oils where the sun don’t shine!
If you love these oils, you don’t have to stow them away for the summer, but you will need to proceed with caution. Citrus oils are crowd favourites when it comes to topical application because of their positive effects on mood, but they should be avoided before exposure to direct sunlight in the summer, or to artificial UV rays. Here are my recommendations:
Essential Oil Safety in the Summer Months
- DO NOT apply these oils topically on skin that will be exposed to the sun (or a tanning bed) within 12 hours of application due to Photosensitivity. Avoid topical application of Bergamot within 72 hours of sun exposure due to Phototoxicity. Areas to avoid could include your arms, neck, chest, etc.
Bergamot is phototoxic and cannot be applied topically anywhere that strong or direct sunlight will hit it for at least 24-48 hours. For some very sensitive people, it can take up to 72 hours to be able to be in the sun after Bergamot application. Applying it the night before is not sufficient!
- DO apply these oils to the bottoms of your feet, if you wish to use them topically. If you plan on suntanning, though, be cautious even with this form of application.
- Teach your children about essential oil safety. Make sure they know about the risks of wearing citrus oils in direct sunlight (or artificial UV rays), and insist that smaller children only use essential oils with adult supervision.
- Look at the labels and follow directions closely, especially if you’re new to essential oils. If you’re heading outside for some summer fun, the dōTERRA Peppermint Touch® roller is great to bring along because of its cooling effects on the skin!
- Many of these oils can be ingested, so learn which ones are safe for internal use and consider adding them to a tall glass of water or a favourite recipe. (Cumin Rainbow Salsa, anyone?)
Have tons of (safe) fun in the sun!
xo ~ Dr. Marissa
More questions on essential oil safety in the summer months? Here are some additional resources you can peruse!
- Learn more with this less than 5 minute video from dōTERRA Wellness Advocate Lisa Thurman
- Summer Essential Oil Safety – article published on the dōTERRA Blog
- The science behind safe essential oil use in the summer months – Toxicity-Photosensitivity and Phototoxicity
- Ask Dr. Hill – What does it mean for essential oils to be Photosensitive?
