Ingredient

Bergamot Oil

Citrus aurantium bergamia

Bergamot oil's surprisingly complex citrus scent uplifts perfume blends and sparks joy.

Where does Lush source bergamot oil?

Since 2005, Lush has been sourcing its bergamot, lemon and mandarin essential oils directly from an Italian family business in Reggio Calabria, Southern Italy. They have been producing citrus oils for three generations! Bergamots are grown in Calabria, which is the historical region for bergamot cultivation. It is located at the tip of the Italian boot, separated from Sicily by a narrow strait. Today, 90% of the world's production is grown there on the southern coast. 

On average, 200 kg of fruit is needed to produce 1 kg of essential oil. The fruits are harvested by hand, which requires a lot of skill. Only experience can help find the perfect moment to pick the fruits from the trees, following intuition to guess when they are at their best and full of oils.

What does bergamot essential oil smell like?

You may notice that we use a lot of bergamot oil at Lush. It’s not because we’re lacking imagination, it’s because we think it’s brilliant. Alina Gliwinska, perfumer at Lush, shines a light on the benefits of the oil:  “It is so versatile that it can be a part of many types of perfumes, from fresh, fruity, sweet and floral to herbal and spicy. It is a great addition to bring out fresh top notes, but also to help smoothly blend different accords into a perfume. This is due to bergamot oil’s very unique profile.” 

Alina explains further, “Bergamot’s perfume has a more complex set of notes than most citrus oils, which are normally a good representation of the fruit they come from. Bergamot oil is zesty, citrusy, and fruity, of course, but what stands out are the bitter orange notes mixed with a spicy warmth, somewhat gingery, and a slight resemblance to the herbal and green notes of tea. It also has, to some degree, fresh floral notes that are perhaps reminiscent of neroli.”

Anymore benefits?

In aromatherapy, bergamot oil is said to be good to the mind. It promotes a sense of well-being that helps calm anxiety, an effect that can impact many aspects of daily life, such as falling asleep more easily. The oil is also antibacterial and soothing, a perfect combination of properties for healthy skin and scalp and for calming acne.

Excited for more? Find even more information on the bergamot fruits here.