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Quick answer: bergamot essential oil is a citrus oil pressed from the peel of the bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia), with a bright, floral-citrus scent that is best known as the flavor in Earl Grey tea. Regular cold-pressed bergamot contains bergapten, a compound that can make skin burn or blister in sunlight, so keep it at or below the dilution limits published by experts such as the Tisserand Institute (0.4 percent for leave-on skin use) and avoid sun exposure afterward, or choose a bergapten-free (FCF) oil. It is popular in diffusers and perfumes. It is not a medicine, and it should be kept away from pets and children.
Bergamot is one of the best-loved citrus oils, and it is easy to see why. It smells less sharp than lemon and a little more floral than orange, with a gentle tea-like finish. It is also one of the citrus oils that most needs a careful safety note, because its sun-sensitizing effect is stronger than that of most other citrus oils. This article is part of our complete essential oils guide, and it explains what bergamot oil is, how people use it, how to dilute it safely and what to watch for.
Sources: Tisserand Institute and Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition; International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards on bergamot oil; National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) safety guidance; U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus and NCCIH information on aromatherapy; botanical references on Citrus bergamia. Essential oils are not approved to treat disease. Talk with a doctor before use if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or take medicine.
What Bergamot Essential Oil Is
Bergamot essential oil comes from the rind of the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit that is thought to be a hybrid of a bitter orange and a lemon or citron. The fruit is about the size of an orange, with a yellow-green color and a very sour, bitter taste, so it is almost never eaten. It is grown for its peel oil.
The oil is a pale green to yellowish liquid with a sweet, fresh, slightly floral citrus smell. It is made by cold pressing the peel, a method that squeezes the oil out of the tiny glands in the rind rather than using steam. This is the same method used for most citrus essential oils, including grapefruit oil.
Most of the world’s supply comes from the Calabria region at the southern tip of Italy, where the climate suits the tree. Other growers include Ivory Coast and Argentina.
Bergamot orange versus bergamot herb
The name causes confusion. The herb called bee balm or wild bergamot (Monarda) is a different plant with a different scent. Bergamot mint (Mentha citrata) is also not the same thing. If you buy bergamot essential oil, check the Latin name on the label. It should read Citrus bergamia.
The Earl Grey Connection
Bergamot oil is famous as the flavoring in Earl Grey tea, which is black tea scented with the oil. Tea makers use a food-grade oil in small amounts, which is a different matter from adding essential oil to a cup of tea at home. Do not put essential oils in drinks or food unless a qualified professional has told you it is safe. If you love the scent, buy Earl Grey tea or enjoy the oil in a diffuser instead.
What Is in Bergamot Oil?
Like all essential oils, bergamot is a mixture of many compounds. The main ones are:
- Limonene: a common citrus compound that gives a fresh, clean scent
- Linalyl acetate: a sweet, floral compound also found in lavender, which helps explain bergamot’s softer character
- Linalool: another floral compound found in lavender and many flowers
- Bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen): a furanocoumarin that makes the oil phototoxic
The proportions vary with growing conditions and harvest. A good supplier gives the Latin name, country of origin and, ideally, a batch analysis.
Phototoxicity: The Most Important Safety Point
Bergapten and related compounds can make skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. After you apply a bergamot oil that contains bergapten and then go into strong sun or use a tanning bed, the skin can redden, blister and leave dark marks that last for months. The reaction is called phototoxicity, and it can happen even with a small amount of oil in an unusual setup.
How to avoid problems
- Dilute carefully. The Tisserand Institute recommends a maximum dermal concentration of 0.4 percent for cold-pressed bergamot oil that contains bergapten when the skin will be exposed to the sun. That is about one drop of essential oil in a tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil, which is far weaker than most blend recipes use.
- Skip sun and tanning beds. Avoid sunlight and UV light on the area for at least 12 to 18 hours after applying a bergamot blend.
- Cover up. If you put it on skin that is normally covered, there is less risk. Do not apply it to the face, neck or hands before going outside.
- Choose bergapten-free (FCF). The abbreviation FCF stands for furocoumarin-free. Some producers remove the furanocoumarins from the oil so it does not cause the same sun reaction. The scent is slightly different, but it is easier to use in skin care.
- Check the label. If a product does not say whether the oil is cold-pressed or FCF, ask the supplier.
Our guide to citrus essential oils and sun sensitivity explains how this issue affects lemon, lime, grapefruit and other citrus oils.
How to Dilute Bergamot Oil
Never apply any essential oil directly to the skin without dilution. The table below shows the rough number of drops of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil.
| Dilution | Drops per 1 tablespoon (15 ml) carrier oil | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 0.4% | About 1 | Cold-pressed bergamot on skin that may see sun |
| 1% | About 3 | Bergapten-free bergamot for daily body products |
| 2% | About 6 | Short-term use of bergapten-free oil on small areas |
These figures are approximate. See our essential oil dilution chart for a detailed guide. Always do a patch test on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours before wider use.
Common Ways to Use Bergamot Oil
In a diffuser
Diffusing is the simplest and safest use for most people. Add three to five drops of bergamot oil to the water in an ultrasonic diffuser and run it for 30 to 60 minutes in a ventilated room. The scent is bright and uplifting, and many people like it in the morning or afternoon. Take breaks, rather than running a diffuser all day, and stop if anyone develops a headache or cough.
Personal inhaler or tissue
For a quieter method, put one or two drops on a tissue or cotton pad and keep it near you. This avoids skin contact altogether, and you can stop whenever you like.
In a blend
Bergamot blends well with:
- Lavender: the shared linalyl acetate makes a soft, calming pair
- Frankincense: adds a deep, resinous base
- Ylang ylang: adds a rich floral top note
- Sweet orange and grapefruit: build a citrus bouquet
- Cedarwood and sandalwood: add warm, woody notes
In natural perfume
Perfumers value bergamot as a top note, which is the first scent you notice before it fades. The oil evaporates quickly, so blends often include a base note to anchor it.
In cleaning
A few drops can scent a homemade cleaning spray, though the oil is not a disinfectant. Do not use it in a spray on surfaces pets walk on if you have cats or dogs. Our guide to essential oils for cleaning explains realistic uses.
What Does the Research Say?
Interest in bergamot is high, so it helps to separate what is known from what is claimed.
- Some small studies have looked at whether inhaling or massaging with bergamot oil changes mood, stress or heart rate. The results are mixed, the studies are small and many were not well controlled.
- Laboratory studies have found that some compounds in bergamot have antimicrobial activity in a dish. That does not show that the oil will treat infections in people.
- Bergamot fruit extracts, which are different from the essential oil, have been studied for cholesterol, and they are sold as supplements. Those are not the same as the oil used in aromatherapy.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that evidence for aromatherapy treating health conditions is limited. A pleasant scent can help you relax, and that is a fair reason to use it. It should not replace medical care.
Bergamot Oil Safety
Skin
- Always dilute, and always patch test.
- Stop using the oil if you develop redness, itching or a rash. See our guide to essential oil skin reactions.
- Avoid use on broken or irritated skin.
Sun and UV light
- Avoid sunlight and tanning beds after skin application of bergapten-containing oils.
- Apply to areas that will stay covered, or use FCF oil.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Many aromatherapy sources advise people who are pregnant or breastfeeding to ask their health care provider before using essential oils.
- Diffusing a small amount briefly in a well-ventilated room is generally viewed as lower risk than applying oils to the skin, but individual advice matters.
Children
- Be especially careful with babies and young children, and do not use essential oils on infants without a pediatrician’s approval. Our article on essential oils for kids gives age-based guidance.
Medicines
- If you take medicine, particularly drugs that increase sun sensitivity, ask a pharmacist or doctor before using bergamot on your skin.
Swallowing
- Never swallow essential oil. Keep bottles out of reach of children.
Pets
- Cats are especially sensitive to many essential oils because their livers process certain compounds slowly. Dogs, birds and small animals can also react. Do not diffuse bergamot where pets cannot leave, and keep oils off animals. Our guide to essential oils and pets explains the risks.
How to Buy Good Bergamot Oil
- Look for the Latin name: Citrus bergamia.
- Check the country of origin: Italy, particularly Calabria, is a common source.
- Ask about FCF: if you plan to use the oil on skin.
- Choose dark glass bottles: amber or cobalt glass protects the oil from light.
- Avoid “fragrance oil” or “perfume oil”: these may be synthetic and are not true essential oils.
- Be wary of very low prices: pure citrus oils are not usually the cheapest, and bargain prices can be a sign of dilution or adulteration.
How to Store Bergamot Oil
Citrus oils oxidize faster than many other oils, which can change their scent and make them more likely to irritate skin. Store the bottle:
- Tightly capped
- In a cool, dark place
- Away from heat and sunlight
- In a smaller bottle once it is half empty, to reduce air in the bottle
Cold-pressed citrus oils are usually best used within about one to two years after opening. If the oil smells sharp, flat or like turpentine, discard it. See our guide to how to store essential oils and shelf life for more tips.
Simple Bergamot Recipes
Calm evening diffuser blend
- 3 drops bergamot
- 2 drops lavender
- 1 drop frankincense
Add to a diffuser with water and run for 30 to 45 minutes.
Fresh room spray (for rooms without pets present)
- 8 ounces (about 240 ml) water in a glass spray bottle
- 1 tablespoon of witch hazel or high-proof alcohol to help disperse the oil
- 10 to 15 drops of bergamot oil
Shake before each use and spray into the air, not on fabric that can stain.
Gentle roller blend for covered areas
- 10 ml roller bottle
- 10 ml fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil
- 2 drops of bergapten-free bergamot oil
Apply only to covered skin and avoid sun for the rest of the day. Our guide to how to make an essential oil roller blend shows how.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bergamot essential oil the same as Earl Grey tea?
Bergamot oil is the flavoring that gives Earl Grey tea its taste, but the tea uses a food-grade oil in very small amounts. Do not add essential oils to drinks or food at home.
Is bergamot oil safe to use on skin?
It can be if properly diluted. Regular cold-pressed bergamot is phototoxic, so keep use to very low dilutions, avoid sun and UV light afterward or choose a bergapten-free (FCF) oil.
What does FCF mean on bergamot oil?
FCF stands for furocoumarin-free. The oil has had the sun-sensitizing compounds removed, so it is less likely to cause a sun reaction on skin.
Can I diffuse bergamot around my cat or dog?
Use caution. Cats in particular can react badly to many essential oils. Diffuse only in a ventilated room that pets can leave, keep sessions short and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure.
How long does bergamot essential oil last?
Cold-pressed citrus oils typically last about one to two years after opening if stored tightly capped in a cool, dark place.
