The Benefits of Lavender Oil for Your Skin, According to Derms

Essential oils get a bad rap. Yes, their aromatherapeutic properties help relax the mind (we've got all the candles, pillow mists, and oil diffusers to prove it), but we can't help but raise an eyebrow when their qualities start to err on the medicinal side of things. While we love a calming scent, we tend to be a bit more discerning when it comes to all things beauty. So, we were quite surprised to learn that lavender oil has quite the sophisticated following when it comes its skin care benefits.

Naturally, we had to dive in and learn all we could about the efficacy of lavender oil's topical benefits. Below, two board-certified dermatologists outline what it is, its skin care benefits, the potential side effects to look out for, whether or not you can apply this essential oil directly on the skin, and even share some of their favorite lavender oil-infused beauty products.

What Is Lavender Oil?

First, a word about essential oils: These are concentrated liquids derived from the aromatic parts of plants, such as the flowers, roots, and leaves using a process called steam distillation, according to Guanche. Lavender oil (aka lavandula angustifolia) is a type of essential oil that comes from the flowers of the lavender plant, which grows in various regions such as France and Bulgaria. Greenfield says its main components are linalool, linalyl acetate, lavandulol, geraniol, and eucalyptol, which have antibacterial as well as anti-fungal properties. However, she points out that, "studies have also demonstrated that there are many different types of lavender oil, and because of their different composition, they have different chemical properties."

Lavender oil is available in a concentrated form on its own (which should be stored in a cool, dark place) but is also used in creams, moisturizers, oils, and mists. The route of entry into your body (through topical application, inhalation, or ingestion) will determine the effect that the lavender oil has. According to Greenfield, applying lavender oil topically will have the most benefit to the skin, inhalation can trigger sensory neurons in the olfactory system and can have neuro effects, and ingestion can have systemic effects if it's absorbed in your gut and enters the bloodstream.

Benefits of Using Lavender Oil on Your Skin

"Science has only recently started to evaluate the health benefits that lavender oil contains," Guanche says. "However, there’s already an abundance of evidence to illustrate its capabilities, and it's one of the most popular essential oils in the world." Below are the main potential benefits of lavender oil for skin.

• Protects against free radicals: As an antioxidant, lavender oil may help protect the skin against environmental stressors. "The most common and dangerous risk factor for disease often comes from free radicals, toxins, and pollutants," Guanche explains. "Free radicals can shut down your immune system and damage your body. Lavender oil is a natural antioxidant that may work to prevent and reverse disease."
• Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Lavender oil is packed with antioxidants making it an excellent option when tackling wrinkles. These antioxidants defend your skin against free radicals which can cause fine lines and wrinkles. You can try a mixture of coconut oil and lavender to use a natural, DIY anti-aging serum for your face.
• Improves acne: Thanks to its antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory effects, Guanche says lavender oil could contribute to the improvement of acne.
• Soothes skin: Since bacteria and fungus on the skin often result in inflammation, Greenfield says the anti-fungal properties of lavender oil can have anti-itch and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Promotes skin healing: Guanche points to research that shows lavender oil may speed the healing of burns, cuts, scrapes, and wounds, and may also help with scarring. The appearance of scars could potentially be improved by lavender oil because of its ability to promote cell growth.
• Prevents infection: Lavender oil has been used to prevent infections and combat bacterial and fungal disorders, according to Guanche, and this study showed it to have a fungicidal effect.
• Soothes bug bites: You can eliminate some of the pain that comes with bug bites by applying lavender oil directly to the bite. Lavender oil's anti-inflammatory properties make it a go-to for getting relief from pain and itchiness associated with bug bites.
• Promotes hair growth and scalp health: Lavender oil can also be incorporated into your hair care routine. Studies have linked lavender oil with the ability to increase hair growth speed. This oil can be used in your hair care by mixing it with a carrier oil, adding drops to your shampoo, or using products that already include lavender oil.
  

Side Effects of Using Lavender Oil on Your Skin

Essential oils are highly potent, so contact allergies to lavender oil are a definite possibility. "Even if you are not allergic to lavender, the immune system in the skin can develop allergies and result in dermatitis," Greenfield says. "If you generally have sensitive skin, it is a good idea to avoid products with fragrances." With that said, she adds that it's generally well-tolerated when used topically. Before spreading it all over, Guanche recommends applying the oil on a small patch of skin on an area other than the face first to test for a reaction. Because eyelid skin tends to be very sensitive to allergens, Greenfield also recommends avoiding the eye area.

"There is not enough information to know if lavender is safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding, so I suggest to stay away from using it at this time," Guanche says. It's also important to check with your physician before ingesting lavender oil, as it is generally not recommended.

How to Use Lavender Oil on Your Skin

According to Guanche, it's safe to apply lavender oil directly to the skin (although that's not the case for most essential oils), and you can also dilute it in a carrier substance for added benefits, absorption, and safety. The dilution rate depends on the usage or method of application (i.e. steaming, toning, moisturizing, etc.) and your specific skin needs. As for a carrier substance, Guanche suggests mixing it with a fatty oil, such as coconut, jojoba, or grapeseed. Greenfield says it can be added to almost any product, but she favors it in gentle, non-foaming, sulfate-free soaps and moisturizers, like a ceramide or hyaluronic acid emollient. (She loves Belli's Pure and Pampered Body Wash for its subtle scent and calming ingredients, including lavender oil, chamomile, and green tea extracts.) "It can be applied to any part of your body as long as the product is otherwise formulated for that body part," Greenfield says. In other words, don't apply heavy body creams on the face, and use separate face and body cleansers.

Those with problem skin will appreciate Osmia's Spotless Blemish Oil, a rollerball spot treatment. The blend of essential oils (like evening primrose, rosemary, lemon, and lavender, of course), targets your pimples without totally drying them out, which is why it won a Byrdie Eco Beauty Award. Aura Cacia's Pure Essential Oil Organic Lavender is another safe bet. It's a completely pure essential oil made from certified organic flowers, which means it only contains the good stuff and none of the bad, like synthetic ingredients and parabens.

What Are the Differences Between Lavender Oil and Vitamin E Oil?

Like lavender oil, vitamin E oil offers hydrating, antioxidant, and protective benefits. The primary benefits of vitamin E, though, are that it seals moisture into the skin. However, the benefits of vitamin E are best reaped via a product containing the ingredient rather than a pure form (which can cause a reaction in the skin). You can always try mixing either oil with a carrier substance for topical application.

The Takeaway

While we're all aware of the zen-inducing qualities of the lavender scent, dermatologists agree that lavender oil can benefit the skin in more ways than one. Its antimicrobial properties help keep acne at bay, which is perfect seeing as it's also a non-comedogenic oil and therefore won't clog pores. It can also promote dermal healing, prevent infections, soothe bug bites, and minimize fine lines and wrinkles, to name a few. With so many benefic uses and a relatively approachable price point (for the beauty space), this powerhouse of an essential oil certainly merits a try.