Lavender oil is so incredibly versatile that it's been coined as the mother of all essential oils. Not only is this oil versatile, it is also powerful.
No wonder this oil is such a staple in home cupboards. Many people won't even leave home without it because of the long list of use you can get from the oil. And true enough, for us skin care enthusiasts, lavender oil does not disappoint.
Stick around to find out more about this amazing oil. In this post, you will learn the top 5 ways to make your skin dance with joy by harnessing the goodness of this oil. Plus, it's super easy to add this to your skin care routine.
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What is Lavender Oil?
I am aware lavender needs no introduction, as everybody knows the flower’s soothing and therapeutic scent. Even bees love it!
It has a strong aroma, reminiscent of both mint and rosemary. At the same time, it remains floral and sweet.
The beautiful purple flowers of the plant are used in almost everything — from tea and dessert recipes to decor and medication.
Lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most common forms to harness the flower's power, derived through the process of steam distillation. This process ensures we get the most out of the plant, without it being contaminated by chemicals like hexane or acetone from the solvent extraction method.
Before the distillation, the flowers are usually hand-harvested, tied in bunches, and dried for several weeks. Being patient in the drying part of the process is vital to prevent the oil from going rancid.
Lavender oil contains 30% linalol — a terpene alcohol which gives the oil its natural antimicrobial properties. The oil is a natural antiseptic, antibiotic, and slightly antifungal agent that’s also a sedative and antidepressant.
Not everyone is a fan of lavender oil's aroma, but it is easily disregarded when it comes to the oil's many use. Minor burns, insect bites, headaches, stress relief - the list goes on!
History of Lavender Oil
In the time of the Greeks, the naturalists called Dioscorides praised lavender for its medicinal attributes. In ancient Egypt, lavender was used for perfumes and the main ingredient for incense.
Both Greeks and Egyptians considered lavender a favorite ingredient in their herbal baths.
In China, lavender oil is used as a cure-all medicinal oil called White Flower Oil.
![Lavender Oil – Top 5 Skin Benefits & Uses [History, Uses and Skin Benefits] - Pretty Blooming](https://www.prettyblooming.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lavender-oil-perfume-min.jpg "lavender oil")
Lavender oil is genuinely timeless. It has been in use throughout antiquity and remains today as one of the most common household oils you can find.
(Source: Lavender History)
Different uses of Lavender Oil
![Lavender Oil – Top 5 Skin Benefits & Uses [History, Uses and Skin Benefits] - Pretty Blooming](https://www.prettyblooming.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lavender-oil-uses-min.jpg "lavender oil")
This oil is very gentle, yet very potent. Royalties like Queen Elizabeth were in love with the rich scent of the flower oil. Even back then, women were aware of lavender oil's cosmetic benefits and used it in their perfumes and cosmetics.
Another wonderful thing about this oil is that it is one of the few essential oils that could be applied undiluted to the skin or what we call neat. A few drops of pure lavender oil, when applied to a minor burn, can help the skin return to normal within days - avoiding ugly scarring!
Not only is lavender a spectacular healer that also prevents scarring, it’s a mood tonic that brings calm, relaxation, and stress relief. In aromatherapy, lavender oil promotes calmness and wellness. Diffusers are a must in aromatherapy as they disperse the essential oil as a fine vapor into the air so the body can gently absorb them through the respiratory system.
It is a good thing to know more so here is a list of some of the lavender oil's known uses:
- Relieves stress
- Treats headaches
- Calms rumbling digestive systems
- Soothes sore joints
- Relaxes nervous palpitations
- Repels mosquitoes and other insects
- Perfume ingredients
- Cleaning agent for tables, tiles, and floors
- Air freshener
The list can go on honestly. The oil is just that versatile! But of course, we are more interested to know about this potent oil's flower power for the skin!
Skin Benefits of Lavender Oil
Skin benefits are the main reason we have placed lavender oil under the spotlight today. So let's dig in!
1. Fights Acne
You can apply lavender oil diluted in a carrier oil to your skin after you wash your face. Doing this will both moisturize and clear your skin.
2. Combats Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Thanks to its abundance in antioxidants, lavender oil can help protect your skin from free radicals.
Imagine the antioxidants are the good guys, the superheroes of skin care, fighting against the monsters called free radicals. Those free bad
boys contribute to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Adding a few drops of lavender liquid to your moisturizer will do miracles in the long run.
Remember, as a fit body, youthful-looking skin doesn't happen overnight. Be consistent and patient with your routine.
3. Treats Eczema and Dry Skin Conditions
Due to its soothing and healing properties, lavender oil can help relieve the itch and irritation of eczema outbreaks.
To address a misconception - applying oils to your skin won't make it oilier. Your skin does need oils to stay hydrated. This is where lavender oil comes in. It does a great job of balancing your skin’s moisture barrier -- so it isn’t too oily or dry.
So to treat dry spots, try diluting a few drops of lavender oil and chamomile oil (also great for the skin) in a tablespoon of apricot kernel oil. Massage the mixture into the skin and say hello to smoother and itch-free skin.
4. Detoxifies The Skin
Knowing the number of environmental toxins and other pollutants that our skin is exposed to most of the time, it is not surprising that our skin’s health deteriorates with each passing day.
Your skin is exposed daily to numerous environmental toxins and other pollutants, and because it is our largest organ, it makes perfect sense to use all means possible to cleanse it.
Luckily there is lavender oil! Rich in powerful antioxidants, it can fight against the harmful effects of pollutants on your skin.
Detoxify your skin by adding it to your face masks, scrubs, serums, toners, moisturizer, bath salts -- the options are endless!
5. Relieves Sunburn
It goes without saying -- though I'll say it anyway -- that you should never let yourself get sunburned.
Assuming circumstances prevented you from wearing sunscreen, which
usually doesn't happen, lavender oil can help you relieve the itching and swelling of the affected area.
First, rinse your face with cold water. Second, two drops of lavender oil in a tablespoon of jojoba oil. Jojoba oil soothes any burnt skin by going deeper into the tissues and healing it Adding a tablespoon of aloe vera will relieve the pain and reduce the burning sensation.
How to Use Lavender Oil for Skin
Apart from the uses mentioned above, here is a face mask recipe that uses lavender oil as one of the potent ingredients to detoxify and leave the skin smooth and supple!
DIY Lavender Bentonite Face Mask Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp bentonite clay
- 1 tsp argan oil
- 1 tsp apricot kernel oil
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 tbsp rose water
- 1 tbsp lavender buds - optional
Note: Stick to the measurements, especially when it comes to the dilution of essential oils. The dilution I suggest for this recipe is 2% - 4 drops of essential oil diluted in 2 tsp of carrier oil. If you want to learn more about essential oil dilution, you can check my post on the topic here.
How To Prepare And Use It?
1. Mix all ingredients until a thick paste forms. Stir in the lavender buds if you use any.
2. Spread onto face and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes or until it "cracks."
3. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse with cold water. It could be different for you so you may leave it on until you feel it tightening and drying.
4. Pat dry the skin and finish with toner and moisturizer.
Is Lavender Oil Safe?
Lavender oil is safe to use on the skin. Before using it topically, you should always dilute it in a carrier oil. Here is a guide on adequately diluting your essential oils.
Always perform a patch test when using a new oil. Dilute a tiny amount of lavender oil in a carrier oil then place a drop of it in your inner elbow area. Leave this on for 24 hours and observe if there will be any reaction.
For safety purposes, it is not advised for pregnant and breastfeeding women to use essential oils.
For children and the elderly, it is highly advised to contact your physician or doctor before using essential oils. Self-treatment of chronic diseases by using lavender oil may also hold serious consequences without professional advice.
How to choose Lavender Oil
As with all essential oils, remember not to buy lavender oil from food stores. Apart from this reminder, here are the things you should look for when choosing your oil:
- 100% essential oil
- Therapeutic grade
- Steam-distilled
- Undiluted
- Unadulterated
I highly recommend the lavender oil of Plant Therapy. It ticks-off all that we must look for in an essential oil along with the sweet, fresh, aroma that comes from the lavender oil. It is highly accessible too -- you can easily get it from amazon.
Don't miss out on this potent oil's power -- get your lavender oil now:
![Lavender Oil – Top 5 Skin Benefits & Uses [History, Uses and Skin Benefits] - Pretty Blooming](https://www.prettyblooming.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PT-Lavender-EO.jpg "Lavender Essential Oil")
To wrap it up
As long as you choose a quality lavender oil, use it the right way, and take all precautionary measures, such as patch-testing before use -- lavender oil is guaranteed to do a lot for you.
With how conventional this oil is, it is highly inexpensive for a lot of uses! It is really a no-brainer to add this essential oil to your skin care arsenal.
Did you enjoy reading this or think the information on this are must-knows? Share this post with your friends! They might just thank you for it.
Do you use lavender oil? Share some of your favorite recipes in the comments below.
Stay healthy and take skin care 
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The Information on this website has not been evaluated by FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The content is for educational purposes only and not intended to substitute medical advice. You should seek the advice of your health care practitioner before undertaking any health changes.
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