Bergamot Oil, 60 ml

A bergamot oil sold under the El Nile Horas name. Bergamot is a citrus fruit. The front of the box calls it a natural premium oil, cold pressed, and gives the size, 60 ml. It comes in a black box lettered in gold, with the brand's triangle, a small plant sprig and the Eye of Horus at the top and a drawing of green citrus fruit, whole and halved, with leaves above the name. The front of the box does not list the ingredients, so it does not say whether the oil is bergamot alone or a base oil that carries it.

What it is for: the front of the box lists no uses, so these are the usual ways bergamot oil is used. It is an oil to massage into the scalp and smooth through dry hair before washing; it adds shine and softness to dry ends; and it is a body and massage oil for dry skin. Bergamot is known for its fresh, citrus scent. It is a cosmetic: it works on how hair and skin look and feel.

Use a little at a time. Before washing, part your hair, put a few drops on the scalp and massage them in with your fingertips for a few minutes, then smooth what is left on your palms through the lengths. Cover your hair with an old towel, leave the oil for half an hour, then shampoo as usual; a second shampoo may be needed to wash the oil out. For dry ends, one or two drops on dry hair are enough. For the body, use it in the evening: warm a few drops between your palms and smooth them over dry skin.

The difference from an unlabelled bottle in a bazaar is what you can see for yourself: a brand name and a printed box with the name and size on the front. It reaches you unopened, at the price on this page, with nothing to haggle over.

It is for external use only: it is not a cooking oil or a flavouring for tea, so do not swallow it. Bergamot can make skin sensitive to sunlight: do not put it on skin that will be in the sun or on a sunbed within the next 12 hours, as it can cause burns or dark patches. It is not a sunscreen and has no SPF. Try a drop on the inner arm first and wait a day before using it more widely, and do not put it on broken or irritated skin. Do not use it if you are allergic to citrus fruit. The front of the box does not list the ingredients, so if you have a nut allergy, read the label on the bottle before you use it. Keep it out of the eyes and away from small children, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a doctor first.

Close the cap after each use and keep the bottle out of direct sun and heat. Oil can mark fabric and towels and makes floors slippery, so wipe your hands before you touch clothes. At 60 ml it is under the 100 ml cabin limit and can fly in hand luggage inside the clear liquids bag; screw the cap down tight before you pack it, and in checked baggage seal it in a zip bag.

Who it suits: anyone with dry hair, dry ends or dry skin who wants one simple oil for them, and anyone who likes the scent of bergamot and is looking for a small, useful present from Egypt that packs easily. Skip it if you are allergic to citrus, want an oil to wear in the sun, or dislike the feel of oil on your skin.