Why We Don’t Use Citrus Essential Oils in Our Tallow
- Meeka Raiter
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
(And how we still achieve a beautiful lemony scent—without the risk)
At Carnivore Origins Tallow Skincare, every ingredient choice is deliberate. Not trendy. Not arbitrary. And certainly not copied from the latest formulation fad.
One question we’re asked often is: “Why don’t you use citrus essential oils like bergamot, lemon, or sweet orange in your tallow balms?”
The short answer: photosensitivity.
The longer... and more important answer is below.
If you're busy - TL;DR - Why We Don’t Use Citrus Essential Oils
Many citrus oils (bergamot, lemon, orange, lime) contain furanocoumarins, which can cause photosensitivity
Photosensitivity can lead to burning, inflammation, and long-term pigmentation when skin is exposed to sunlight
This risk is higher in leave-on products like tallow balms, especially in high-UV climates
Tallow’s slow-absorbing, occlusive nature can extend UV exposure time of phototoxic compounds
We avoid ingredients that require sun warnings or disclaimers for daily skincare
Luminous Tallow achieves a bright lemony scent using lemongrass infusion, lemon myrtle, and vanilla
These ingredients deliver freshness without phototoxic risk, making them safer for everyday use
Bottom line: We choose skin safety and long-term barrier health over citrus trends.
The Problem With Citrus Oils on Skin
Citrus essential oils such as bergamot, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and sweet orange are widely used in natural skincare for their uplifting aroma. But what’s rarely explained clearly is that many of these oils contain furanocoumarins - naturally occurring compounds that can make skin significantly more sensitive to UV light.
This well-documented photochemistry.
When these compounds remain on the skin and are exposed to sunlight, they can trigger a reaction known as phototoxicity.
What Is Photosensitivity (Phototoxicity)?
Photosensitivity occurs when a substance on the skin reacts with UV radiation, leading to:
Redness and inflammation
Burning or blistering (similar to chemical burns)
Hyperpigmentation or dark patches
Long-term skin sensitisation
Importantly, this reaction can happen even at low essential-oil concentrations, and even when the skin does not burn immediately. Pigmentation changes can appear days or weeks later.
This risk is especially relevant in:
Summer
High-UV environments (like Australia)
Daily-use products
Leave-on skincare (balms, moisturisers, oils)
In other words: exactly the conditions our tallow balms are designed for.
“But I’ve Seen Citrus Oils Used Safely…”
Yes... sometimes.
Some citrus oils can be steam-distilled or specially processed to remove furanocoumarins (often labelled FCF). However:
These versions are rarely specified clearly in finished products
Consumers often don’t know which type is used
The margin for formulation error is small
Sensitivity varies wildly between individuals
As a brand rooted in ancestral logic and skin barrier science, we choose the safer path—not the technically-legal one.
If an ingredient requires caveats, sun warnings, or disclaimers to be “safe,” it doesn’t belong in a daily, skin-feeding balm.
Why This Matters Even More With Tallow
Tallow is occlusive and bio-compatible - it stays on the skin, mimics its lipid profile, and absorbs slowly.
That’s a beautiful thing…unless the oil sitting in it reacts with sunlight.
A citrus oil trapped in a nourishing fat matrix can extend UV exposure time, increasing phototoxic risk compared to lighter, fast-evaporating products.
So we don’t gamble with your skin.
How We Achieve a Lemony Scent Without Citrus Oils
This is where formulation artistry comes in.
Our Luminous Tallow is intentionally crafted to deliver a bright, lemon-like aroma without phototoxic compounds.
We do this by using:
🌿 Lemongrass (infused, not harshly dosed)
Naturally fresh and uplifting
Non-phototoxic
Traditionally used for clarity and balance
🌿 Lemon Myrtle
Exceptionally high in citral (the compound that smells like lemon)
No furanocoumarins
Native, powerful, and clean
🌿 Vanilla
Softens the sharpness
Grounds the aroma
Creates warmth and elegance
The result is a scent that is:
Bright but not aggressive
Fresh without being volatile
Safe for daily use, even in sunlight
And most importantly: kind to the skin barrier.
Our Philosophy, Clearly Stated
We don’t formulate to impress ingredient lists.
We formulate to protect skin long-term.
Avoiding citrus essential oils isn’t fear-based, it’s evidence-based.
It’s about respecting how skin behaves in the real world, not under ideal lab conditions.
You should be able to apply your tallow balm in the morning and step outside without wondering whether your skincare is working against you.
That’s why we chose lemongrass, lemon myrtle, and vanilla.
And that’s why we’ll continue to say no to citrus oils - no matter how popular they are.
Your skin deserves better than trends.
It deserves wisdom.
With Love, Meeka xo
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