Bergamot vs. FCF Bergamot Essential Oil Explained

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• What Is Bergamot Essential Oil?
• Important Notes About Bergamot Essential Oil Naming
• Key Constituents of Regular Bergamot Essential Oil
• The Concern with Bergapten and Phototoxicity
• Bergapten Explained: Why Does the Presence of Bergapten Matter?
• How Much Bergapten is Typically in Regular Bergamot Essential Oil?
• What Does "FCF" Mean?
• What are Furanocoumarins?
• Advantages of FCF Bergamot Essential Oil
• How is Regular and FCF Bergamot Essential Oils Used?
• Regular Bergamot Essential Oil
• FCF Bergamot Essential Oil
• Choosing the Right Version of Bergamot Essential Oil
• Bergamot Essential Oil Purchasing Tips
• Still Not Sure Which Type of Bergamot Oil to Buy?
• More Detailed Information About Bergamot Essential Oil
• References

Introduction

Bergamot Essential Oil is a well-loved aromatic oil that is widely used in aromatherapy, skin care, massage, perfumery and other wellness applications.

In addition to finding traditional Bergamot Essential Oil through various suppliers, you will also find a different type available through some suppliers with a name like FCF (Furanocoumarin-Free) Bergamot Essential Oil.

Understanding the difference between the two versions of Bergamot Essential Oils is important to ensure safe and effective use.

What Is Bergamot Essential Oil?

Bergamot Essential Oil is traditionally made by cold-pressing the rinds of Citrus bergamia fruits.

It has a sweet, citrusy, slightly floral aroma that makes it a favorite in aromatherapy blends formulated for uplifting mood and easing stress.

Important Notes About Bergamot Essential Oil Naming

"Regular" Bergamot Essential Oil is cold pressed and typically just goes by the name Bergamot Essential Oil.

For clarity in this guide, however, I will refer to it as Regular Bergamot Essential Oil to help distinguish it from FCF Bergamot Essential Oil.

FCF Bergamot Essential Oil is sometimes known as BF Bergamot Essential Oil.

FCF stands for Furanocoumarin-Free. BF stands for Bergapten-Free.

Key Constituents of Regular Bergamot Essential Oil

• Limonene
• Linalyl Acetate
• Linalool
• Beta-Pinene
• Gamma-Terpinene
• Bergapten (a Furanocoumarin)

The Concern with Bergapten and Phototoxicity

Regular Bergamot Essential Oil naturally contains a constituent known as bergapten, a type of furanocoumarin.

Bergapten Explained: Why Does the Presence of Bergapten Matter?

Bergapten is phototoxic.

When applied to skin and then exposed to sunlight or UVA tanning beds, phototoxic constituents like bergapten can cause:

• Severe sunburn-like reactions
• Blistering
• Hyperpigmentation

This risk is why cosmetic safety guidelines, such as IFRA standards, limit its concentration in topical products.

Essential oil safety expert Robert Tisserand recommends that Regular Bergamot Essential Oil be used at no more than 0.4% in topical products. Otherwise, the skin must not be exposed to the sun for at least 12 hours. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 211.]

How Much Bergapten is Typically in Regular Bergamot Essential Oil?

From the GC-MS reports that I have read, I typically see bergapten present in Regular Bergamot Essential Oil in amounts under 0.2%. That may not seem like it would be enough to cause severe phototoxic reactions, but it is.

Because bergapten is present in a very small amount, some GC-MS analyses may not detect or report it.

What Does "FCF" Mean?

FCF stands for furanocoumarin-Free.

FCF Bergamot Essential Oil is cold pressed Bergamot Essential Oil that has had most or virtually all of its bergapten removed via vacuum distillation or rectification.

Steam distilled Bergamot Essential Oil is available from some suppliers, but its aroma tends to be less desirable than that of Regular or FCF Bergamot Essential Oil. Unlike cold pressed Regular Bergamot Essential Oil, steam distilled Bergamot Essential Oil is bergapten free because the bergapten is too heavy to come through steam distillation.

What are Furanocoumarins?

Furanocoumarins like bergapten are natural plant compounds that make skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of burns when applied topically. They aren’t functional groups like ketones or esters, but are sometimes organized that way in essential oil literature. Technically, they are complete molecules made of a coumarin structure fused to a furan ring.

Advantages of FCF Bergamot Essential Oil

• Dramatically reduced risk of phototoxicity
• Safer for use in topical aromatherapy and skin care products (within guidelines)
• Still maintains much of the characteristic aroma of Bergamot Essential Oil

How Are Regular and FCF Bergamot Essential Oils Used?

Regular Bergamot Essential Oil

• Favored for use in diffusers and personal inhalers
• Some use it in rinse-off products like soaps (with caution), but there is still risk if the product is not completely rinsed off
• Must be diluted to 0.4% or below for topical use. Otherwise, sun exposure must be avoided for at least 12–18 hours

FCF Bergamot Essential Oil

• Better suited for skin-care products (creams, lotions, perfumes)
• It still should be diluted, but it is much safer for inclusion in topical products

Choosing the Right Version of Bergamot Essential Oil

Your choice depends on how you plan to use the Bergamot Essential Oil.

*Although soaps and cleansers are considered wash-off products, it is safest to use FCF Bergamot Essential Oil in any product that comes into contact with the skin. I have developed irritation from essential oils in soaps even after washing off thoroughly, so I do not believe that essential oils always rinse-off completely.

Do not take any form of Bergamot Essential Oil internally unless you are under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist or medical practitioner.

Bergamot Essential Oil Purchasing Tips

• Purchase from a reputable supplier that fully understands the difference between Bergamot Essential Oils.
• Look for labels that clearly specify "FCF" or "Furanocoumarin-Free" if you want to avoid phototoxicity. Some sellers use "BF" or "Bergapten-Free" terminology.
• Check the GC-MS report when available.
• Because bergapten is present in a very small amount as was mentioned above, some GC-MS analyses may not detect or report it. Don't assume a particular Bergamot Oil is definitely bergapten-free by reviewing a COA or GC-MS report. It's important to ensure you are purchasing from a reputable supplier and that the supplier has confirmed that it indeed is bergapten-free.
• Bergamot Essential Oil that has been steam distilled instead of cold pressed is naturally free of bergapten. However, it tends not to be as aromatically beautiful. Additionally, be careful of suppliers that may accidentally state that it is steam distilled instead of cold pressed. Because most essential oils are steam distilled, it's easy for some suppliers to accidentally label Regular Bergamot Essential Oil as steam distilled as a force of habit.

Still Not Sure Which Type of Bergamot Oil to Buy?

When in doubt or if you just want to have a single type of Bergamot Oil on hand, choose FCF Bergamot Essential Oil.

More Detailed Information About Bergamot Essential Oil

Explore AromaWeb's detailed Bergamot Essential Oil Profile for uses, benefits, aromatic description, additional safety information and more.

The profile is a part of AromaWeb's library of over 150 detailed essential oil profiles.

References

Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety Second Edition. (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 211-213.

Maria Lis-Balchin, BSc, PhD, Aromatherapy Science (United Kingdom: Pharmaceutical Press, 2006), 127.

Jennifer Pressimone, JennScents(R) Holistic Aromatherapy Comprehensive Guide (Clermont, FL: JennScents, Inc., 2015), 72-73.

Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Updated Edition) (London: Harper Thorsons, 2014), 49.

Valerie Ann Worwood, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, 25th Anniversary Edition (Novato, CA: New World Library, 2016), 571.

Peter Holmes LAc, MH, Aromatica Volume 1: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Principles and Profiles (London and Philadelphia: Singing Dragon, 2016), 136.

Jennifer Peace Rhind, Essential Oils Fully Revised and Updated 3rd Edition (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers), Kindle Location: 12719.

Diana Petry, Psychoaromatherapy: Research and Clinical Practice (Brazil: Instituto Daiana Petry, 2024), 347.

General Safety Information

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Before using this or any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

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