When it comes to skincare, it's essential to be mindful of the ingredients and products you use, especially in the context of sun exposure. One important factor to consider is photosensitivity, a condition in which your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun's UV rays, increasing the risk of sunburn, irritation, and skin damage. We LOVE the sun and what it provides us to support our overall health but its also important to understand how it impacts our skin. While essential oils are often celebrated for their aromatic and therapeutic properties, some of them can cause photosensitivity. In this blog post, we'll explore what makes an essential oil photosensitive, with a particular focus on citrus oils, and why at Glow Jar Beauty, we take extra care to avoid them in our skincare products.
Understanding Photosensitivity: Photosensitivity occurs when certain substances, such as chemicals or essential oils, make your skin more susceptible to UV damage. These substances contain compounds that interact with UV rays, leading to adverse skin reactions like burns, blisters, and hyperpigmentation. Citrus oils are a well-known culprit when it comes to photosensitivity, primarily due to the presence of furanocoumarins (very technical I know).
Citrus Oils: Citrus essential oils are cherished for their fresh and invigorating scents, making them popular choices in many skincare products. However, they can also be double-edged swords when it comes to sun exposure. The culprits here are furanocoumarins, a group of naturally occurring compounds found in citrus oils, such as bergamot, lemon, orange, lime, and grapefruit. Furanocoumarins are responsible for the increased photosensitivity associated with these oils. They interact with UV light, leading to skin reactions that can range from mild irritation to pigmentation.
Always check the label of your skincare products or essential oils before applying them to your skin, especially if you plan to be outdoors.
Glow Jar Beauty's Approach: At Glow Jar Beauty, we take the well-being of your skin very seriously. That's why we steer clear of photosensitive essential oils in all our skincare products. We understand the importance of enjoying the sun safely and without the risk of adverse skin reactions. By excluding photosensitive oils, we reduce the risk of irritation as our products are gentle and inclusive for those even with the most sensitive skin.