Benefits & Uses of Lavender Essential Oil for Skin, Hair, Aromatherapy

Overview of Lavender Essential Oil

Soothing modern wonder or age-old miracle herb? Lavender essential oil is an aromatherapy staple that is known for its soothing properties. Read on to find out more about this powerful essential oil.

What is Lavender Essential Oil?

Lavender oil’s unique scent can be described as a blend of fresh, floral and herbaceous notes, making it one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy today. You can find it in almost any home, as lavender oil has been used to make lavender-scented perfumes, shampoos, massage oils, hand creams, air fresheners, and more.

This time-tested relaxing remedy is a concentrated liquid extracted through steam distillation from the lavender plant. It is traditionally made through distilling the plant Lavandula angustifolia; however, it can also be extracted through mechanical methods such as cold-pressing. This helps the oil capture the “essence” of the plant’s scent as well as its soothing and relaxing properties. The aroma of fresh Lavender oil is a middle note and is widely popular. It goes well with almost every base note aroma.

The plant’s powerful and versatile properties have been praised since as early as 600 B.C., with many of its benefits linked to relaxation and healing of the mind, body, and soul.

Name	Lavender Essential Oil
Botanical Name	Lavandula angustifolia
Native to	Mediterranean regions
Main ingredients	Linalool, eucalyptol, linalyl acetate, terpineol, limonene, ocimene, lavandulol, camphene
Aroma	Sweet, floral and herbal
Blends well with	Bergamot, tea tree, vetiver, patchouli, jasmine,ylang ylang, cypress, eucalyptus, oakmoss, marjoram, peppermint, geranium, black pepper, chamomile, lemongrass, pine and cypress essential oils
Category	Floral
Substitute	Vanilla, rose, sweet marjoram or sandalwood essential oil

12 Benefits and Uses of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender Essential Oil Benefits

With so many benefits linked to this miracle herb, it's hard to pin-point just one. Here’s a quick run-through of some of the more popular health benefits you can enjoy with lavender oil.

It helps you relax

This essential oil helps with relaxation. Inhaling its soothing scent will have a near-instant calming effect, which helps you relax and unwind. The aromatic molecules of the oil balance emotions.

It improves hair health

Lavender oil has properties which prevent itchy scalp and dandruff. It also encourages hair growth and can be used to help with hair loss.

It’s good for your skin

Lavender oil is gently moisturizing, making it an excellent hydrator for those with dry skin. It can also unclog pores and deal with acne breakouts.

It’s An Aphrodisiac

Besides its amazing floral aroma, lavender oil’s scent boosts libido in both men and women. It is a great addition to spice up your love life for more intimate moments together. Its aroma activates the limbic system and causes blood flow in the body as it is essential for aphrodisiacs.

Lavender Essential Oil Uses

The reason this soothing concentrated oil is so widely used is because of its versatile and time-tested potency. Depending on how and where you use it, lavender oil can greatly improve your well-being and uplift your daily routine.

Lavender Essential Oil for Skin

5. For acne and hyperpigmentation

Lavender oil is a must-have for those with acne-prone skin. When applied to the skin with a carrier oil, it can deal with acne breakouts and prevent future flare-ups. Use this essential oil for scars, it lightens redness and discoloration, making it perfect for fading scars and dark spots.

6. Soothes dry skin

Dry, itchy, and scaly skin can appear anywhere on the face and body. Thankfully, it can be treated with lavender oil. Lavender’s properties can help less redness and irritation as well.

7. Fades and smoothes skin

There are many causes of rough skin. Lavender oil protects your skin against damages for a smoother, youthful complexion.

Lavender Essential Oil for Hair

8. It helps promote hair growth

Lavender oil has been said to help with stimulating hair growth for fuller, thicker hair.

9. It relieves dry, itchy scalps

This aromatic oil is able to prevent everyday hair issues such as dry, itchy scalp and dandruff. It may also keep you safe from infections.

Lavender Essential Oil for Aromatherapy

10. Aromatherapy Oil

Lavender aromatherapy oil is diffused in a closed room and its aroma is inhaled for at least 15 minutes in a meditative stance. A few drops of lavender oil may help soothe the mind and senses because of its calming properties. Consult an aromatherapist while using pure lavender essential oil.

11. Boosts Emotional Healing

Inhaling the aroma of lavender oil has several positive effects on the psyche. Negative emotions including sadness and fear can be eliminated and replaced with confidence and positivity. Lavender has been used as a natural remedy for emotional well-being. Blending organic lavender with Clary sage in an aromatherapy diffuser helps reduce negative emotions.

12. Travel and Motion Sickness Relief

While traveling many people are bothered with retching, vomiting, and nausea. Inhaling the aroma of lavender from the bottle soothes the jittery nerves. However, ensure that the concentrated oil does not touch the skin. 2 drops or 4 drops of lavender oil can be diluted and stored in a small spray bottle to be used when feeling nauseated.

How To Use Lavender Essential Oil

Two of the most popular ways to get the benefits of lavender oil are through inhalation and on-skin application. Here, we’ll take a look at the best way to get the most out of this soothing oil.

How to Apply Lavender Essential Oil

Many people use it topically and apply it to the skin or hair to enjoy its rich uses and benefits. People use lavender oil for hair on their scalps when they want to add some volume and support hair growth or use it on their face and body to soothe inflammation and irritation.

If you’d like to apply it directly to the skin, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil first. These oils are very concentrated extracts, dilution will minimize skin sensitivity. Coconut oil is the commonly used oil for diluting lavender oil; however, other vegetable oils used for household purposes can be used for diluting this is also used. You can also consider diluting lavender essential oil in a warm bath, or adding it to a gentle lotion and moisturizer before lathering it onto your face and body.

Applying lavender oil topically should be done with care. Although the aroma of the oil is sweet and floral, the undiluted oil when applied on the skin is used to treat burns or irritate the skin.

Lavender Essential Oil in an Aroma Diffuser

While you can inhale the scent of lavender oil straight from the bottle, diffusers can be helpful in dispersing the aroma of these concentrated oils into the air for round-the-clock inhalation. Here are some tips when using an aroma diffuser.

Set it up according to the manufacturer's instructions
Place it at least 2-feet above the ground to get the full benefits
Fill the tank with filtered water to reduce mineral buildup and extend the life of your diffuser
Don’t hold back! Most people add about 3 to 15 drops per 100ml of water
Experiment and mix & match essential oils to create a unique scent
Take time to play around with the diffuser settings to find a spray setting that suits you

Lavender Essential Oil for Rest

You can also use lavender oil for a good night’s rest. So, if getting some quality snooze at night is your goal, then this relaxing oil is what you need. Lavender essential oil subdues those racing thoughts that keep us from achieving deep sleep.

To get yourself in the mood for a snooze, just inhale its relaxing scent either straight from the bottle before bedtime or use a diffuser for all-night comfort.

Safety with Lavender Essential Oil

Essential oils are great for self-care routines. However, we should also take care and follow caution when using them to keep ourselves and loved ones safe from its side effects. Generally essential oils are safe, but a few guidelines must be followed to avoid any adverse effects. Also, the oils are different, made up of different compounds. Some people may be allergic to certain compounds while others may be allergic to others. Concentrated oil must be bought after careful deliberation. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Read the label and instructions to make sure you’re using the oil correctly.
While buying essential oils be wary of the terms fragrance oil, perfume oil and natural identical oil.
The term pure essential oil can be widely seen on the bottles. These maybe made from substandard sources.
Ensure that you are not allergic to any ingredients or compounds in the oil.
Make sure to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil for safe application.
Do not add too much of the oil in the diffuser.
Avoid using essential oils of sensitive areas like the eyes and nose.
Don’t apply it on broken skin either unless it’s mentioned on the bottle or label.
Keep it out of reach of kids and fur kids.
Do not diffuse the oil near kids and pets. Consult a doctor before doing so.
Some oils may make you sensitive to sun damage, so be sure to load up on SPF.
Check the label to see if the oil is photo-toxic.
Always do a small patch test before topical application.
The common unwanted effects caused by essential oils up on topical application are rashes, redness and swelling.
If you show signs of irritation, stop use and consult a health professional.

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If you’re looking to get started on the lavender essential oil craze, you’ve come to the right place. Shop our lavender essential oils here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you apply lavender essential oil directly to skin?

No, essential oils must not be directly applied on the skin.

Can I use lavender essential oil on my face?

People apply lavender oil on the face because it gets rid of dark spots and gives the face a glow. It is good for healthy skin.

Is it ok to put lavender oil in your hair?

Lavender essential oil can be left in the hair for 30 minutes or overnight. It can also be left in the hair as it has the effect of a conditioner.

How much lavender to make essential oil?

To make 15ml of lavender essential oil 3 pounds of lavender flowers are required.

How to use lavender oil for hair?

Add three drops of lavender oil to your regular hair oil and massage it into the scalp till it is absorbed. Leave it there for some time or overnight. Wash off the oil; you can use shampoo as well.

What is lavender essential oil good for in a diffuser?

Lavender essential oil is used in aromatherapy through a diffuser for relaxation.

What does lavender oil do for skin?

Regular use of lavender essential oil keeps the skin clean, prevents acne and gets rid of pimples. It can clear the scars on the skin and restore the skin’s elasticity and tone.

How to use lavender oil for skin?

Dilute lavender essential oil with neutral oil and gently massage it on the skin till it is absorbed.

How to use lavender oil for acne?

Dilute lavender essential oil with neutral oil and gently apply it on the skin with a cotton ball or even clean fingertips.

How to use lavender oil for sleep?

Consult a doctor before using lavender essential oil for sleep.

Where to apply lavender essential oil for sleep?