Bergamot Essential Oil, 1 l

Bergamot essential oil is a fragrance ingredient with a fresh citrus scent, obtained by cold pressing the peel of Citrus bergamia Risso fruit of European origin. It is used in aromatherapy, skin care and hair care. The manufacturer recommends it especially for products for oily and problem skin and for the scalp, where, according to the manufacturer’s data, it supports skin cleansing and the balancing of sebum production.

The peel is processed by mechanical pressing without heating and without solvents; the finished oil is only filtered and remains unrefined. The product is certified vegan.

What it brings to a formulation

• Citrus fragrance – fresh and invigorating, associated by the manufacturer with a good mood and relaxation. It suits perfume compositions, facial cosmetics and aromatherapy blends.
• Cleansing – the manufacturer states that it helps remove impurities and excess sebum from the skin and hair. For this reason it is most often added to facial cleansers and to shampoos for an oily scalp.
• Antimicrobial effect – according to the manufacturer’s data, it supports a clean-looking complexion. In a formulation this is a secondary effect of the fragrance ingredient and it does not replace the preservative system of the finished product.
• Soothing the skin – an anti-inflammatory effect that the manufacturer associates with reduced redness.
• Brightening the complexion – the manufacturer states that it supports a more even skin tone.
• Cooling effect – it leaves a fresh, slightly cooling feel on the skin, which can be used in face mists and light textures.

Use in formulations

The oil is soluble in oil and in alcohol and does not dissolve in water. It is added directly to the oil phase of emulsions, facial oils, anhydrous serums and alcohol-based solutions. In toners, face mists and other water-based products it needs a solubiliser. It is compatible with non-ionic surfactants, so a common non-ionic solubiliser is suitable. Test the amount of solubiliser on a small sample until the solution stays clear.

It is added in the cool-down phase, when the base is below 40 °C. The oil is a blend of volatile compounds and at a higher temperature part of the fragrance would be lost. The suitable pH range of the formulation is 5–8, which covers most facial and hair products.

The usage rate follows the IFRA limits for the specific product category. These differ depending on whether the product is rinse-off or leave-on and where it is applied. Lip products, facial creams, body lotions, shampoos and deodorants each have their own limit. Before adding it to a recipe, check the value for your category and also take into account the other fragrance ingredients in the composition.

Suitable for products such as

• Facial oils and serums for oily and problem skin, where both the fragrance and the cleansing effect stated by the manufacturer are useful.
• Light facial creams and moisturising emulsions, to which it is added in the cool-down phase.
• Facial toners and mists with a solubiliser or with a proportion of alcohol.
• Shampoos, rinse-off conditioners and scalp tonics for a scalp prone to oiliness.
• Diffuser blends and aromatherapy compositions with a fresh citrus character.

Good to know

The colour of the oil ranges from yellow through green to brownish and may differ between batches. At the usage rate common for a fragrance ingredient, it has little effect on the finished product. In a pure white emulsion or a clear gel, it is better to check the shade on a sample.

In hair care, the oil is used in both rinse-off and leave-on products. The manufacturer states that it supports scalp balance. For leave-on conditioners and styling products, different IFRA limits apply than for shampoos, which must be taken into account when setting the usage rate.

Frequently asked questions