The benefits of lavender essential oil make it one of the most common essential oils. It can be used topically for its skin benefits and in aromatherapy to promote relaxation.
If you only have a few essential oils, lavender essential oil should be one of them. It’s probably the most versatile essential oil. The benefits of lavender essential oil are used for both skin care and aromatherapy, and it blends well with several other oils.
The lavender plant is native to the mountains in the Mediterranean and also Northern Africa. The beautiful purple flower has been used for centuries for cosmetics and for medicinal purposes.
Today, lavender is grown in large fields to make an essential oil. The oil is made by steam distilling the flowers of the Lavandula angustifolia species.
Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is popular for hair care, treating fungus and bacteria, and promoting skin healing when used topically. In aromatherapy, it is used to relax you and lower anxiety and depression.
Lavender Essential Oil for Acne
Lavender essential oil is naturally antibacterial and antifungal, so it can treat and prevent acne blemishes caused by bacteria or fungus. Lavender also has anti-inflammatory properties when used topically, so it’s a great choice to use alone or in a blend for acne. Use lavender in a 0.5 to 1 percent dilution on facial skin.
To use lavender essential oil for acne, add 3-6 drops of lavender essential oil to an ounce of a carrier oil like jojoba oil and use on the skin after cleansing.
You can also create a toner by mixing 3 to 6 drops of lavender essential oil with an ounce of witch hazel. Apply to a cotton ball or cotton round to wipe the face after cleansing. This can help tighten pores and promote clearer skin when used twice a day.
Lavender Essential Oil for Dry Skin or Eczema
Lavender is a wonderful oil for dry skin or eczema because it’s naturally anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. You can add it to a carrier oil or make a lotion to apply to your skin.
You can use a 3 to 5 percent dilution for dry skin or eczema on your body, but a 5 percent dilution should only be used for a few days at a time and for small areas of the body.
To make a simple lavender lotion for dry skin or eczema, combine 1 ounce of coconut oil and 18 drops for a 3 percent dilution and 30 drops for a 5 percent dilution. Apply to affected areas twice daily.
I don’t recommend adding lavender to an entire bottle of commercial lotion. Lotions that you buy in the store have a delicate balance of preservatives and emulsifiers. Adding extra ingredients can break the emulsion, and the product might not have enough preservative for the extra ingredients.
Lavender Essential Oil for Anti-Aging
Lavender essential oil is high in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your skin and your body from free radicals, and free radicals are what contribute to the signs of aging. Using lavender essential oils can boost antioxidants in your skin, which can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
To use lavender for acne, use a 0.5 percent to 1 percent dilution. For each ounce of a carrier oil, use 3 to 6 drops of lavender. For anti-aging, try jojoba oil or rosehip oil for the carrier oil.
Wound and Burn Healing
For minor cuts, scraps, and burns, lavender essential oil may speed up the healing process. Lavender is naturally anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, which can help prevent a secondary infection.
For short term use, you can use up to a 5 percent dilution. Use up to 30 drops per ounce of carrier oil. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and grapeseed oil are all good oils to promote skin healing.
Insect Repellent
Lavender essential oil works by repelling insects and relieving itching on bug bites. Lavender isn’t the best essential oil to use for repelling insects, but it is often added to a blend to naturally repel bugs.
If you do get bit by bugs, lavender essential oil can help reduce inflammation and may kill bacteria that can infect the wound.
Relaxation
When used in aromatherapy, lavender promotes calmness and relaxation. It’s often used in a sleep blend in a diffuser or as a linen spray. Lavender may help reduce anxiety and depression, but there aren’t any studies to support this.
Hair Loss
When used topically in a shampoo or conditioner, lavender essential oil can promote hair growth. This can take several months to show results, so be patient while you are waiting on results.
You shouldn’t add lavender essential oil to your entire bottle of shampoo or conditioner. This can break the emulsion and make the product watery. Instead, add 2 to 6 drops of lavender essential oil per teaspoon of shampoo or conditioner for a 1 to 3 percent dilution.
Blending Lavender Essential Oil
You can use lavender essential oil alone or in a blend and reap the benefits of lavender essential oil. It’s a versatile oil, so it blends well with several other oils.
Lavender blends well with:
Where to Buy Lavender Essential Oil
Almost every essential oil company offers lavender essential oil because it’s a popular oil. I prefer Rocky Mountain Oils. Rocky Mountain Oils has free economy shipping for any order. You’ll get your order in about two to seven days, so you won’t be waiting long.
They also have a great return policy. You can return your oils with free shipping for 90 days for any reason.
But the most important reason I like Rocky Mountain Oils is because they provide verified third part test results for each of their essential oils. On the bottom of the bottle, there’s a batch code. Go to their website, enter this number, and you can see the results of that batch’s testing.
Important Considerations
Lavender essential oil is safe for children over two-years-old. It is considered safe for use around dogs, but it is not safe for use around cats.
Lavender may slow the central nervous system, so talk to your doctor about using it if you are scheduled for surgery or another procedure.
Talk to your doctor before using lavender if you are taking a medication for sleep or high blood pressure.
Did you know these benefits of lavender essential oil?