Lemons, limes, grapefruit, and other fruit oils are frequently used because — duh — they smell amazing! Although they're packed with antianxiety and antidepressant effects, these "crowd-pleasers of the aromatherapy world" also come with a not-so-pleasant side effect: phytophotodermatitis.
For starters, the long-winded moniker can actually be broken down into three smaller words: plant (phyto), light (photo), and rash (dermatitis). In simpler terms, phytophotodermatitis is a nasty skin reaction that occurs when you leave citrus oils on your skin for a long time in sunlight.
The results are anything from mild redness to blisters and even permanent scarring. For instance, if you're drinking a margarita and leave the lime oil on your mouth, you run the risk of irritation or a bad burn on your lips.
Villafranco recommends avoiding leave-on oil products altogether if you plan on being outside. And even if you're using soap or face wash beforehand, wash them away completely before stepping out the door.
"Distilled citrus oils, rather than expeller-pressed, carry much less risk," she said. "And bergaptene-free bergamot essential oil has had the phototoxic element removed, so it has a much lower risk as well."
