Description
Essential oils are volatile compounds extracted from plants by distillation, shell and nut compression and solvent extraction processes. Essential oils have a therapeutic function because, despite their apparent simplicity, they are made up of powerful chemical substances such as antibiotics and antiseptics.

Bergamot oil: widely used to treat acne and oily skin. It has proved effective in treating skin infections as an antiseptic.

Benefits
Helps treat acne and oily skin;
Contributes to the treatment of skin infection.

How to apply
Massage: To formulate a portion sufficient for a massage, add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil to each tablespoon of vegetable oil base.

Compresses: Put 5 to 10 drops of essential oil in a container of warm water; soak a towel in this mixture and apply to the affected area. Repeat so that the area is always covered and warm.

Bath: Add 4 to 8 drops of essential oil to a bath of warm water. For sensitive skin, dilute the essences in a teaspoon of vegetable oil. Use 3 to 5 drops in a foot bath or emersion bath.

Inhalation: Add 5 to 6 drops of essential oil to a container of boiling water. Place a towel over your head and the container and inhale the vapour for a few minutes. Alternatively, put 3-4 drops on a handkerchief and sniff it quickly.

Aromatisation: Add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. In candle aromatisers, add a tablespoon of warm water with a few drops of the oil. Top up with warm water to maintain the water level.

Composition
Bergamot essential oil (Citrus Aurantium).

Precautions
When using an essential oil for the first time, it's a good idea to do a test to see if it causes an allergic reaction: mix a drop of the oil you're going to use in a coffee spoon with sweet almond oil and rub it into the crease of your elbow. If your skin reddens within 24 hours, you're sensitive to the product and shouldn't use it.