The Many Benefits of Citrus Bergamot

Beautiful bergamot. There is no other way to describe this soothing and sweet, yet zesty citrus scent that evokes an energizing morning walk through a citrus orchard. Bergamot comes from the small bergamot evergreen tree native to Italy, specifically the city of Bergamo, where the fruit receives its name. While the round citrus fruit (that looks like a cross between a lime, a lemon, and an orange) from the bergamot tree is bitter, the essential oils—extracted from the peel of this hybrid citrus fruit—are anything but. Not to mention, this sunny citrus fruit is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, as well as potassium. Bergamot is definitely a fruit to be celebrated, which is why it’s a star ingredient in Pharmacopia’s Citrus Collection of products.

Citrus Aromatherapy Benefits

This all-natural bodycare collection includes essential oils of Italian bergamot, or Citrus bergamia, combined with other citrus essential oils like sweet orange, grapefruit, and tangerine. The bright, exotic citrus scent is guaranteed to give your mood a quick boost whenever you need it (we particularly love it in our morning skin care routine to energize us for the day ahead). 

All of our citrus bath and body products work together to renew and nourish your skin and hair. Cleanse, hydrate, and protect your skin with our Citrus Body Wash, Body Lotion, and Body Bar. For hair that’s shiny, strong, and manageable, our Citrus Shampoo and Conditioner are the perfect pampering duo.

Five Benefits of Bergamot

Bergamot orange is not just a heady scent with many aromatherapy benefits. We love that there is also a good deal of science behind this citrus fruit’s physical and mental benefits: 

• It reduces stress and anxiety. The citrus scent of bergamot oil has been shown to have a very calming effect, often used to help calm the mind and body. One whiff of Pharmacopia’s Citrus Collection and you’ll experience the energizing aroma of bergamot. 

• It boosts mood. Bright, zesty bergamot oil can also help improve mood and wellbeing. It has also been shown to be effective in improving sleep quality and treating mild to moderate depression. If you’re feeling down, try sudsing up with Pharmacopia’s Citrus Body Wash in a steamy shower to instantly feel a bit brighter.
• It reduces inflammation. There is a great deal of research showing the anti-inflammatory benefits of bergamot and namely its naturally active antioxidants: limonene, linalyl acetate, and linalool. These anti-inflammatory benefits are a result of the powerful plant antioxidants bergamot contains and are why bergamot oil has been shown to be helpful in healing wounds and treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. These are just some of the amazing reasons why bergamot oil is so good for the skin and why, when I first founded Pharmacopia, I wanted to include this incredible plant ingredient in products like Pharmacopia’s Body Lotion.
• It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. One study found that the powerful essential oils found in bergamot can actually inhibit the growth of bacteria. This antibacterial activity is one other reason bergamot oil seems to be beneficial for the treatment of bacteria-triggering acne. After using our citrus products, brew yourself a cup of Earl Grey tea, which contains essential oils of bergamot (this is actually what gives this tea its trademark flavor and scent) to give your gut the same premier treatment as your skin.
• It helps stimulate skin renewal. In another study of bergamot use on those with psoriasis, topical application of this plant extract seemed to increase skin collagen and promote hair growth. We love knowing that the essential oils in our citrus products can be beneficial for skin and scalp care.  

What to Know About Bergamot Oil

As is the case with most essential oils, bergamot, when applied directly to the skin, can cause skin irritation in some people. Diluting any essential oil with a carrier oil before applying directly to the skin is an important practice. In Pharmacopia’s Citrus Collection of products, bergamot is already diluted so you can skip this step. 

Like most citrus essential oils, bergamot oil can be photosensitizing, which means it can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. This just means you should make sure to use sunscreen on sun-exposed skin or if going out in direct sunlight.