Day Three | Lesson Two: Photosensitivity

Citrus oils like lemon, orange, and grapefruit are some of our most popular scents. They are so uplifting and energizing, you will LOVE using them in your family!
HOWEVER…an important note about citrus oils that we touched on yesterday and that we want to revisit, is that they are photosensitive. 

That means that if you use citrus oils topically, you will want to avoid direct sun exposure for 8-12 hours afterward. You can get an awful sunburn if you apply citrus oils topically and then expose that skin to sunlight (or tanning beds, as one friend learned the hard way…ouch!) This graphic is a great resource that will help you remember which oils are photosensitive. Your oil bottles are clearly labeled for your safety as well. Keep in mind, you can still use photosensitive oils on areas of your skin that are covered. For example, if you find the wild orange oil helps reduce a child’s anxious feelings, apply it topically on his/her chest or spine under the shirt. Alternatively, you can apply citrus oils to a piece of clothing rather than to your skin. That way you can enjoy the aroma without concern about photosensitivity!