GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Bergamot
Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit.
Chemotype: Calabrian type
- PLANT PART
- fresh fruit peel (pericarp)
- EXTRACTION
- mechanical cold pressing without heating
- AROMA NOTE
- top-mid
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 50 / 100
- Note layer
- top-mid
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 0.4%
- Phototoxicity
- Phototoxic — use caution
- Maximum for sun-exposed skin
- 0.4%
- Oxidation risk
- high
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
Cold-pressed bergamot is phototoxic because bergapten is present in the cited ISO composition profile; AromaWeb cites a 0.4% dermal maximum to avoid phototoxicity.
Contraindications & cautions
- majorCold-pressed bergamot oil is phototoxic and should be limited to the cited dermal maximum to avoid UV-mediated reactions.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This generic bergamot record is anchored to ISO 3520:2022 for cold-pressed Calabrian bergamot oil. The ISO standard provides normative composition ranges for the main volatile markers and bergaptene content, while the selected supplier and AromaWeb sources provide the practical aromatic description and phototoxic dermal limit used for the archive record.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| beta-Pinene | 6.25% | 4–8.5% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf (Table 2, beta-Pinene 4.0-8.5%) |
| Limonene | 39.5% | 32–47% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf (Table 2, Limonene 32.0-47.0%) |
| gamma-Terpinene | 8% | 6–10% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf (Table 2, gamma-Terpinene 6.0-10.0%) |
| Linalool | 9% | 3–15% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf (Table 2, Linalool 3.0-15.0%) |
| Linalyl acetate | 29% | 22–36% | monoterpene ester | View sourceISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf (Table 2, Linalyl acetate 22.0-36.0%) |
| Geranial | 0.375% | 0.25–0.5% | monoterpene aldehyde | View sourceISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf (Table 2, Geranial 0.25-0.5%) |
| beta-Bisabolene | 0.5% | 0.3–0.7% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf (Table 2, beta-Bisabolene 0.3-0.7%) |
| Bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen, 5-MOP) | 0.28% | 0.18–0.38% | furanocoumarin | View sourceISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf (Table 1, Bergaptene content by HPLC 0.18-0.38%) |
Profile source: ISO 3520:2022 Essential oil of bergamot [Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit], Calabrian type; Bergamot Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses & Insights; Bergamot Organic Essential Oil Supplier, Manufacturer & Wholesaler · https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/81602/2b45583f486b4ae29289d765e8a46f9c/ISO-3520-2022.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/bergamot-essential-oil.php ; https://www.kusharomaexports.com/essential-oils/bergamot-organic-essential-oil
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for uplifting mood and easing occasional stress or low spirits
- reported to support relaxation and restful sleep when diffused in the evening
- used in perfumery as the archetypal citrus top note in eau de cologne and Earl Grey-style fragrances
- traditionally associated with easing occasional tension in massage blends (photosensitivity caution applies)
- reported use in blends aimed at supporting emotional balance and calm
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 3 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- Odor intensity 50 is a normalization of the cited 'medium strength' aromatic description into the archive's 0-100 scale.
- The selected live public sources did not provide directly readable volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values for bergamot oil.
- The pct_typical values here are arithmetic midpoints of ISO normative min/max ranges rather than published single-batch assay values.