# Bergamot essential oil

> A bright, slightly floral citrus single oil cold-pressed from the peel, more nuanced than a typical orange or lemon.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/bergamot

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Citrus bergamia
- **Plant part:** Fruit peel
- **Extraction:** Cold-pressed
- **Aroma:** Bright citrus, floral
- **Origin:** Calabria, Italy
- **Blends with:** Lavender, ylang ylang, frankincense

## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate)

Based on 4 GC-MS samples from 4 peer-reviewed papers (2017–2024); Moderate evidence base. 27 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range):

| Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 23.63 | 14.29–35.48 | 51.32 | 4 |
| linalool | Oxygenated monoterpene | 21.82 | 14.51–34.08 | 46.34 | 3 |
| linalyl acetate | Oxygenated monoterpene | 17.69 | 16.95–19.52 | 21.34 | 3 |
| β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 5.28 | 3.63–6.62 | 6.81 | 4 |
| γ-terpinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 6.38 | 5.25–9.16 | 11.95 | 3 |
| myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.18 | 1.17–3.09 | 5 | 3 |
| α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.03 | 0.8–1.1 | 1.18 | 3 |
| sabinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.89 | 0.67–1.11 | 1.33 | 2 |
| neryl acetate | Oxygenated monoterpene | 0.61 | 0.45–0.78 | 0.95 | 2 |
| terpinolene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.33 | 0.3–0.36 | 0.39 | 2 |

Chemotypes seen in the samples: limonene (50% of samples), aromadendrene (25% of samples), linalool (25% of samples).

## Key constituents

- **Limonene** (30-45%) — Dominant citrus compound giving bergamot its bright top note
- **Linalyl acetate** (20-35%) — Adds bergamot's soft, slightly floral smoothness
- **Linalool** (5-10%) — Contributes to the oil's characteristic floral-tea nuance

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 3–5 drops alone, or with lavender for a calm-yet-bright blend.
- **On skin:** Dilute 1–3% in a carrier oil — a classic eau-de-cologne note.
- **Mind the sun:** Phototoxic — avoid UV 12–18h, or use a bergapten-free (FCF) oil.

## Safety

- Bergamot is strongly phototoxic (bergapten). If used on skin, dilute and avoid sun/UV for 12–18 hours — or choose a bergapten-free (FCF) version.
- Maximum dermal use: 0.4% on skin (IFRA leave-on limit — the strictest of any citrus).
- Phototoxic — avoid UV exposure after topical use.
- Strongly phototoxic: avoid UV / direct sun for 12–18 hours after any topical use, or choose a bergapten-free (FCF) oil.
- Always dilute in a carrier oil before skin contact.
- Keep out of reach of children.

## What the research says

- Bergamot inhalation has been tested for anxiety and mood in small human studies — for example a randomized trial of medical-office anxiety in children. Findings are preliminary and not a substitute for medical care. — Hawkins et al. (2019), Holistic Nursing Practice (https://doi.org/10.1097/hnp.0000000000000341)
- A more recent randomized study looked at bergamot-and-grapefruit aromatherapy on anxiety and vital signs — a small, single-context trial, not broad clinical evidence. — Özer et al. (2025), BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04857-3)
- A 2015 pharmacology review compiled bergamot's chemistry and its largely preclinical (cell- and animal-model) research — useful context, but mostly not yet confirmed in humans. — Navarra et al. (2015), Frontiers in Pharmacology (https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2015.00036)

## Evidence

- Cold-pressed bergamot peel oil is dominated by limonene, linalyl acetate and linalool, with the balance shifting by origin, harvest and extraction method. — Navarra et al. (2015), Frontiers in Pharmacology (https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2015.00036)
- Detailed gas-chromatography analyses of bergamot oil confirm monoterpene hydrocarbons (chiefly limonene) plus oxygenated compounds (linalool, linalyl acetate) as the principal fractions. — Dellacassa et al. (1997), Journal of Essential Oil Research (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1997.9700742)
- The furanocoumarin bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) present in the cold-pressed peel oil is the main agent behind bergamot's photosensitising effect on skin. — Food and Cosmetics Toxicology (1971) (https://doi.org/10.1016/0015-6264(71)90137-4)
- Controlled testing confirms bergamot oil is phototoxic on skin subsequently exposed to UV light — the basis for diluting it and avoiding sun after topical use. — Food and Cosmetics Toxicology (1980) (https://doi.org/10.1016/0015-6264(80)90227-8)

## Standards & authenticity

- **IFRA leave-on limit:** ≤ 0.4% on skin, due to phototoxicity
- **Bergapten-free (FCF):** Twice-rectified oil is bergapten-free and shows no phototoxic response (https://doi.org/10.1016/0015-6264(71)90137-4)
- **Common adulteration:** Often cut with bitter-orange or terpene distillates, or reconstructed from synthetics — prefer GC-tested oil

## Frequently asked questions

### Is bergamot oil phototoxic?

Yes — cold-pressed bergamot is strongly phototoxic because of bergapten (5-MOP). If you use it diluted on skin, avoid UV and direct sun for 12–18 hours, or choose a bergapten-free (FCF) version.

### What is bergapten-free (FCF) bergamot?

A twice-rectified bergamot oil with the bergapten removed. It shows no phototoxic response, which makes it the safer choice for leave-on skin products.

### Is bergamot the scent in Earl Grey tea?

Yes. That bright, floral-citrus note is exactly what flavors Earl Grey tea.

### What is bergamot oil mostly made of?

Chiefly limonene and linalyl acetate, with linalool, γ-terpinene and β-pinene — the exact balance varies by origin and harvest.

## Sources (GC-MS studies)

- Aziz MI, Hasan MM, Ullah R, Bari A, Khan MA, Hasnain SZU, Baloch R, Akram M, Obaid A, Ullah A, Abbas K, Amin A. Potential role of Citrus bergamia flower essential oil against oral pathogens. _BMC complementary medicine and therapies_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11010433
- Saghir SAM, Alnaimat SM, Dmour SM, Al-Tarawni AH, Abdelnour SA, Ahmeda AF, Arisha AH, Hawwal MF, Alanzi AR, Mothana RA, Lindequist U. The ameliorative effect of bergamot oil nano-emulsion in stressed rabbit bucks: Influence on blood biochemical parameters, redox status, immunity indices, inflammation markers, semen quality, testicular changes and the expression of HSPs genes. _Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10345481
- Cebi N, Erarslan A. Determination of the Antifungal, Antibacterial Activity and Volatile Compound Composition of Citrus bergamia Peel Essential Oil. _Foods (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9818623
- Leggio A, Leotta V, Belsito EL, Di Gioia ML, Romio E, Santoro I, Taverna D, Sindona G, Liguori A. Aromatherapy: composition of the gaseous phase at equilibrium with liquid bergamot essential oil. _Chemistry Central journal_, 2017. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC5668225

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._