Lavender flowers are not just beautiful and fragrant—they also provide a powerful skin care ingredient: lavender essential oil.
Lavender has been cherished throughout history. Ancient Egyptians used it in cosmetics, Romans enjoyed its calming scent in their baths, and Greeks, who called it “nardus,” praised its healing effects for both skin and mind.
Lavender flowers are not just beautiful and fragrant—they also provide a powerful skin care ingredient: lavender essential oil.
Lavender has been cherished throughout history. Ancient Egyptians used it in cosmetics, Romans enjoyed its calming scent in their baths, and Greeks, who called it “nardus,” praised its healing effects for both skin and mind. For similar benefits, you might also explore herbs for skin care.
Essential oils are concentrated liquids extracted from plant parts like flowers, roots, and leaves through a process called steam distillation. Lavender oil (lavandula angustifolia) is an essential oil made from lavender flowers, which grow in places like France and Bulgaria. It contains compounds like linalool, linalyl acetate, lavandulol, geraniol, and eucalyptol, which have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
However, different types of lavender oil have different chemical properties due to their varying compositions.
Lavender oil can be used on its own in a concentrated form (stored in a cool, dark place) or found in creams, moisturizers, oils, and mists. How lavender oil affects you depends on how you use it: applying it to the skin benefits the skin directly, inhaling it can affect your senses and brain, and ingesting it can have systemic effects if absorbed into the bloodstream.
Benefits of Using Lavender Oil on Your Skin
Science has just begun to study the health benefits of lavender oil. However, there’s already plenty of evidence showing its effectiveness, making it one of the most popular essential oils worldwide. Here are the main benefits of lavender oil for your skin
Protects Against Free Radicals
Lavender oil may help protect your skin from environmental damage due to its antioxidant properties. Free radicals, toxins, and pollutants are common and harmful risk factors. They can weaken your immune system and cause damage. For additional skin benefits, you might also consider rose water for face. Lavender oil, being a natural antioxidant, may help prevent and reverse this damage.
Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Lavender oil is full of antioxidants, which are great for reducing wrinkles. These antioxidants protect your skin from free radicals that can cause fine lines and wrinkles. You can make a simple anti-aging serum by mixing lavender oil with coconut oil and applying it to your face.
Improves Acne
Lavender essential oil, known for its strong antibacterial properties, helps fight acne-causing bacteria, leading to clearer pores and refreshed skin.
Soothes skin
Bacteria and fungus on the skin often cause inflammation, but Greenfield explains that lavender oil’s antifungal properties can help reduce itching and inflammation. For additional soothing effects, you might also consider sea moss in skin care and rice water for skin care.
Learn more about the fungicidal effects of lavender here Microbiology Society.
Promotes skin healing
Studies suggest that lavender oil may speed up the healing of burns, cuts, and wounds. For additional healing benefits, you might also explore aloe vera skin care. It might also reduce scarring by promoting cell growth.
Balances moisture
Lavender helps balance the skin’s moisture levels, keeping it hydrated without making it oily. For similar hydrating benefits, you might also explore rose skin care. Besides its soothing effects, lavender oil also creates a protective barrier, locking in moisture for a dewy, hydrated look while supporting skin repair and regeneration.
Soothes bug bites
You can ease the pain from bug bites by applying lavender oil directly to the area. Lavender oil’s anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain and itchiness from bug bites.
Side Effects of Using Lavender Oil on Your Skin
Lavender oil, like other essential oils, is very strong and can cause contact allergies. Even if you’re not allergic at first, your skin might develop an allergy over time, leading to dermatitis. If you have sensitive skin, it’s wise to avoid products with fragrances. However, lavender oil is usually well-tolerated on the skin. Cosmetologists suggest testing it on a small area away from the face to check for any reaction. The skin around the eyes is especially sensitive, so it’s best to avoid applying lavender oil there.
