Bergamot Oil (CAS 8007-75-8) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Bergamot Oil
CAS 8007-75-8
What Is Bergamot Oil?
Bergamot oil is the citrusy essence from the rind of bergamot oranges, primarily grown in Southern Italy. You’ll recognize its bright, uplifting scent in Earl Grey tea and many fresh colognes. This oil matters because it’s the secret behind the sparkling opening of classic perfumes, adding an instant mood-lift to fragrances while naturally blending with floral and woody notes.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESS
What Does Bergamot Oil Smell Like?
A radiant burst of sun-warmed citrus peel with surprising depth – imagine biting into a ripe orange while inhaling the delicate white flowers beneath the tree. The top note is all effervescent zest: tart, slightly bitter, and sparkling with aldehydic energy. As it settles, a honeyed sweetness emerges alongside subtle herbal nuances of mint and thyme. The dry-down reveals a sophisticated bitter-orange character with whispers of neroli-like florality and a clean, woody-amber base that prevents it from disappearing completely.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Bergamot’s photorealistic zing creates the legendary freshness in this citrus-aromatic masterpiece. The oil’s natural complexity allows it to bridge between sharp citrus top notes and herbal heart notes seamlessly.
Here bergamot oil forms the sunny Italian soul of this cologne, its slightly bitter edge balancing the sweetness of other citrus notes while its tenacity helps the fragrance last beyond typical citrus compositions.
The bergamot in this historic cologne demonstrates the oil’s royal pedigree, where its natural complexity and moderate persistence make it superior to simpler citrus oils for enduring freshness.
Bergamot oil provides the modern sparkle in this flanker, its bright citrus cutting through the aldehydes while its subtle floral facets connect to the jasmine-rose heart.
Bergamot’s natural kinship with neroli is showcased here, where the oil’s orange blossom nuances amplify the neroli while its citrus keeps the composition vibrant and Mediterranean.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Bergamot oil is a cold-pressed essential oil containing over 300 compounds. The dominant molecule is limonene (35-45%), with significant amounts of linalyl acetate (22-36%) and linalool (3-15%). Its characteristic phototoxicity comes from bergapten (0.1-0.3%), a furanocoumarin. Modern rectified versions remove this component. The oil’s complexity arises from terpenes (γ-terpinene, β-pinene), esters, and trace sulfur compounds that contribute to its distinctive fresh-peel quality. Italian bergamot contains higher ester content than other citrus oils, giving it superior tenacity in perfumery.
Chemical Composition
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Pale greenish-yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 175-178 °C (main components) |
| Flash Point | 62 °C |
| Density | 0.875-0.880 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.464-1.468 |
| Optical Rotation | +8° to +24° |
| Solubility | 1:1 in 90% alcohol |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limonene | 138-86-3 | 136.24 | 176 | 4.3 | 1.55 mmHg |
| Linalyl acetate | 115-95-7 | 196.29 | 220 | 3.2 | 0.12 mmHg |
| Linalool | 78-70-6 | 154.25 | 198 | 2.7 | 0.16 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 10% | Use FCF (furocoumarin-free) version for skin safety |
| Colognes | 5-15% | Up to 25% | The backbone of citrus freshness |
| Functional Products | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Adds freshness to soaps, detergents |
| Flavorings | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.2% | Key in Earl Grey tea flavoring |
Classic Accords
+ Neroli + Petitgrain = Citrus Floral
+ Patchouli + Vanilla = Oriental Citrus
+ Mint + Basil = Aromatic Freshness
Tip: For maximum diffusion, combine with aldehydes C-8 to C-12 to amplify bergamot’s sparkling quality without adding weight.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Furocoumarin-free version with identical olfactory profile but no phototoxicity. Essential for leave-on skin products while maintaining authentic bergamot character.
When a sharper, more lemony citrus is needed. Lacks bergamot’s floral complexity but provides intense top note impact at lower costs.
For isolating bergamot’s floral-sweet facet without the citrus. Useful when the full oil’s brightness would clash with other components.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
IFRA 49th Amendment restricts bergapten content to <0.0015% in leave-on products (Category 1-4) and <0.0035% in rinse-off (Category 5-11). FCF (furocoumarin-free) versions comply automatically.
EU Allergen Declaration
Must be declared when present at >0.001% in leave-on or >0.01% in rinse-off products due to limonene, linalool, and geraniol content (EU Regulation No 1223/2009).
GHS Classification
H317 May cause allergic skin reaction
H319 Eye irritation
RIFM Assessment
RIFM safety assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels when bergapten is removed. The complete essential oil has been extensively evaluated for skin sensitization potential.
Sustainability
Bergamot cultivation is concentrated in Calabria, Italy, where traditional methods preserve biodiversity. Approximately 1000kg of fruit yield 1kg of oil. Synthetic reconstructions exist but lack the oil’s full complexity. Recent climate changes threaten harvests, prompting research into more resilient cultivars. Sustainable practices include water recycling in processing and utilization of byproducts for pectin production.
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Dugo et al. (2011). Citrus bergamia: Bergamot and its Derivatives. CRC Press. ISBN 9781439847165
- IFRA Standards (2021). 49th Amendment Restricted Substances List. IFRA Library
- PubChem Compound Summary for Bergamot oil PubChem Entry
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
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