How Essential Oils Can Cause You Serious Harm

Do Not Use Photosensitive Essential Oils In Direct Sunlight Or UV Light

Photosensitive essential oils, also known as phototoxic oils, that contain furocoumarins can cause severe burns and increase the risk of developing skin cancer when exposed to direct sunlight or UV light. The burns are caused by applying the photosensitive oils to skin before getting exposed to UV light.

If uncertain about whether the essential oils being used contain furocoumarins, stay safe by avoiding direct sunlight and UV light after applying it. Some essential oils that contain them include angelica root, bergamot, grapefruit, cold-pressed lemon, cold-pressed lime, mandarin leaf, bitter orange, and rue. Essential oils that are safe to use in the sun include steam distilled bergamot, steam distilled lemon, steam distilled lime, cold-pressed mandarin, cold-pressed sweet orange, and cold-pressed tangerine.

Do Not Use Essential Oils That Come In Plastic Containers

Essential oils should never be stored in plastic bottles or containers, as they can eat through plastics when they are undiluted. Over time even diluted oils can degrade plastics over time. This also means that essential oils should not be applied to plastic surfaces in the house.

When stored in plastic, essential oil will break down the plastic which destroys the oil and often causes it to leak. However, the quick solution to this issue is to use or reuse glass jars, spray bottles, and containers. Luckily, essential oils come in glass containers.