Summer Essential Oil Safety

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. People often relax at the pool, enjoy family barbecues, spend time hiking in the mountains, and more.

doTERRA wants you and your family to stay safe this summer by using essential oils in the most effective ways possible.

General Essential Oil Safety

1. Always check the label. Each essential oil has specific usage directions. Read the label and follow directions closely, especially if you’re trying a product for the first time. Several essential oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil. For your convenience, many popular doTERRA products are prediluted with a carrier oil in the doTERRA Touch® line. Peppermint Touch is a summer favorite because of its cooling effects on the skin. When applying an essential oil to the face, avoid contact with the eyes, nose, or ears.
2. Safely store essential oils. With school out, children have more time at home. They’re often bored and like exploring the space around them. Keep your essential oils in a safe place that’s out of the reach of children. Remind your younger children that essential oils should only be used with a parent’s guidance. A great way to include your kids is to let them pick the essential oils you diffuse. The uplifting or calming scents filling your home can contribute to a positive atmosphere.

Outdoor Essential Oil Safety

The sun is incredibly inviting, boosting your day when you go outside and get that natural vitamin D. However, you should be aware that some of your favorite citrus oils shouldn’t be applied topically before direct exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation makes up about 10% of sunlight. When it encounters certain substances, it starts a series of chemical and biological reactions. This immune system reaction is known as photosensitization.

Some essential oils contain organic compounds known as furocoumarins, which can make certain skin types more sensitive to the effects of UV radiation. When photosensitive skin is exposed to UV radiation, it may cause free radicals to form, damaging cellular membranes, organelles, and proteins, resulting in temporary darkening of skin pigment and irritation—much like a sunburn. More extreme exposure may cause hives or burns.

Continue reading to find out which essential oils, blends, and products to be aware of so you can use them safely and enjoy their benefits.

Photosensitive Essential Oils

For the safety and convenience of customers, doTERRA has assembled some of the essential oils and blends that are photosensitive into the following list.

This list isn’t exhaustive—other essential oils, blends, and products can pose a risk for photosensitivity. You should always read the label on an essential oil bottle before you use it.

With all photosensitive essential oils, avoid sunlight and UV rays for at least 12 hours after applying.

• Bergamot
• Grapefruit
• Green Mandarin
• Kumquat
• Lemon
• Lime
• Tangerine
• White Grapefruit
• Wild Orange
• abode^®
• Adaptiv^®
• Adaptiv Touch
• Air-X^®
• Align
• Arise
• AromaTouch^®
• Beautiful Touch
• doTERRA Breathe^®
• doTERRA Breathe Touch
• doTERRA Cheer^®
• doTERRA Cheer Touch
• Citrus Bliss^®
• Citrus Bloom^®
• Citrus Bloom Touch
• Citrus Twist
• ClaryCalm^®
• Costa Brio™
• DDR Prime^®
• Endless Summer
• doTERRA Forgive^®
• doTERRA Forgive Touch
• Holiday Joy^®
• Holiday Love^®
• Holiday Peace^®
• doTERRA Hope^® Touch
• Hygge^®
• InTune^®
• Island Mint^®
• Malama^®
• MetaPWR^®
• Midnight Forest^®
• doTERRA Motivate^®
• doTERRA Motivate Touch
• doTERRA On Guard^®
• doTERRA On Guard Touch
• doTERRA Passion^®
• doTERRA Passion Touch
• Purify
• Shinrin-Yoku^®
• Shinrin-Yoku Touch
• Sunny Citrus
• Whisper^® Touch
• Zendocrine^®