Essential oils are generally safe but can be irritating and cause problems when used in the wrong way. They can be used topically i.e. applied on the skin, inhaled, diffused or taken internally. People with sensitive skin, pregnant or nursing women, infants, children or the elderly shouldn’t use certain oils as they may increase sensitivity and cause irritations.
Below there is a list of essential oils and how they act on the skin when used externally:
BERGAMOT
Can cause skin sensitivity. Avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after external application.
CINNAMON BARK
Can cause skin sensitivity or irritation and should always be tested first by people with sensitive skin.
CLOVE
Can cause skin irritation and have a numbing effect.
CORIANDER
Can cause skin sensitivity.
CUMIN
Avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after external application. Should not be used during pregnancy.
GERANIUM
Can cause skin sensitivity. Avoid using during the first trimester of pregnancy, and use only in topical dilutions thereafter.
GINGER
May cause skin sensitivity.
GRAPEFRUIT
Avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after external application since it can increase sensitivity to sunlight.
JUNIPER BERRY
May cause skin sensitivity.
LEMON
Avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after topical application.
LEMONGRASS
Can cause skin sensitivity. Should not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children.
LIME
May cause skin sensitivity. Avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after topical application.
MELISSA
Can cause skin sensitivity. Avoid use during pregnancy.
ORANGE
Can cause skin sensitivity. Avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after external application to avoid burns or redness.
OREGANO
Can cause skin irritation. Should not be used during pregnancy or by infants and small children and not more than 10 days.
SANDALWOOD
May cause skin sensitivity.
TURMERIC
Can stain clothes, fabric and skin so use caution when applying or around fabrics.
VETIVER
May cause skin sensitivity.