The Surprising Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil for Your Skin + How to Use

One of the notable attributes that comes to mind with the mention of the famous lavender essential oil is its distinctly calming scent – the No.1 reason lavender is the most praised in aromatherapy.

But, besides its adored aroma, lavender essential oil is one of the mildest of all essential oils, cherished for its versatility and beneficial properties for the skin, including soothing, healing, and moisturizing.

So, if you’ve had this beauty lying around and you’ve been looking for ways to incorporate it into your skincare regimen, here’s all the scoop on its benefits and how best to use it!

What Is Lavender Essential Oil?

Lavender essential oil is obtained from the lavender plant flowers (Lavandula Angus Folia), through a process known as steam distillation, which contains and maintains its remarkable benefits and potency. The beautiful aromatic plant is a member of the mint family and native to the Mediterranean, with Bulgaria being the highest producer of its essential oil.

Although famous for its magnificent scent, the lavender plant is simply more than just that. It has been traced back to medieval times for its role in treating ailments and its therapeutic benefits.

Today, its oil is one of the most sought-after essential oils used in aromatherapy, and a common choice for a range of beauty cosmetic products, comprising moisturizers, mists, oils, and even perfumery. It's safe to say that lavender essential oil is an excellent all-around product!

Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil for the Skin

Lavender essential oil is rich in antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties [source], all of which offer several benefits to the skin. However, to get the most out of it, be sure it reads 100% pure on its bottle, and free from colorants and other additives.

So, here are the amazing skin benefits of lavender essential oil!

#1: Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Lavender essential oil is loaded with antioxidants to protect the skin from free radicals that could break down the skin’s collagen, repairing damaged skin and reducing wrinkles.

Plus, when used topically, the oil also has the ability to penetrate the skin deeply and help to promote collagen production [source], which can help to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

#2: It Soothes and Calms the Skin

Not only does it emit a calming effect and an amazing scent, lavender oil also possesses a high amount of anti-inflammatory properties to ease inflamed skin caused by skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, sunburn, and more.

#3: It's Great for Acne-Prone Skin

Owing to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender essential oil is one of the most beneficial oils for treating acne and warding off acne-causing bacteria. Its healing properties also provide relief to pain and swelling associated with acne. It's also lightweight and doesn’t clog pores.

#4: Promotes Healing

Lavender oil accelerates the healing of minor injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, and burns, by speeding up the process of collagen production and promotion of new skin cells. Its antimicrobial properties also ward off infections. Lavender oil also improves the appearance of scars by promoting tissue growth.

#5: Helps With Eczema

Lavender essential oil’s antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties provide a remedy to dryness and irritation associated with eczema. It also helps to reduce redness and inflammation that could occur alongside.

How to Use Lavender Essential Oil for the Skin

Lavender essential oil is said to be one of the gentlest of all essential oils. It can be used in a variety of ways, depending on what you’re treating, and it works excellently with other skin care products and oils.

Here are a couple of ways to use it for the skin:

#1: As a Treatment for Acne

Lavender essential oil is great for tackling acne on the skin and can be used in several ways.

• As a toner, it can be used alongside witch hazel by combining a few drops of the oil and a tablespoon of witch hazel and using a cotton pad to apply it onto the skin.
• As a spot treatment, lavender essential oil works well when mixed with other acne-fighting carrier oils like argan oil. Simply mix a drop of both oils and apply it on acne spots.

#2: In a Facial Steamer

Facial steaming is a great way to incorporate lavender essential oil into your skincare routine. The steam helps to open up the pores, allowing the skin to better absorb the benefits of the oil. Here are the steps on how to use lavender essential oil in a facial steamer:

• Fill a facial steamer or a bowl with hot water.
• Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the water, making sure to mix it well.
• Sit down and place your face over the steamer, making sure to keep a safe distance from the hot water to avoid burns.
• Drape a towel over your head to create a tent and trap the steam, allowing the lavender oil to penetrate the skin.
• Steam your face for 5-10 minutes, or until the water cools down.
• After steaming, wipe your face with a clean towel, and follow up with a moisturizer or face oil.

#3: As an Anti-Aging Treatment

Lavender essential oil has been traditionally used for skincare and has been known to have anti-aging properties. Here are a few ways to use lavender essential oil to fight wrinkles and fine Iines:

• Moisturizer: Pour a few drops of lavender essential oil to your favorite moisturizer and use it daily for the best results.
• Facial oil: Mix a few drops of lavender essential oil with a high-quality moisturizing oils like jojoba oil or rosehip oil, and massage the mixture into your face and neck before bedtime.
• Facial mist: Mix a few drops of lavender essential oil with ccocnut water in a spray bottle, shake well and spray it on your face as a refreshing mist throughout the day.
• Facial mask: Blend a few drops of lavender essential oil with your favorite face mask, apply it to your face, and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.
• Bath: Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bath water (you can make a milk bath or oatmeal bath) for a relaxing and rejuvenating soak.

#4: As a Treatment for Eczema

To get relief from dry, itchy, and inflamed skin accompanied by eczema, apply a few drops of lavender oil with coconut oil and chamomile oil and massage the skin several times a week to keep the inflammation at bay.

However, be mindful that essential oils can be strong. So, before starting to treat any skin condition with lavender essential oil, it's best to consult with a dermatologist.

#5: For Skin Healing

In cases where you have a minor cut or scrape, apply 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil with a tablespoon of wound healing carrier oils like tamanu oil, rosehip oil, grapeseed oil, or whichever you prefer. Then with a cotton pad or cotton swap, apply onto the wound, to fasten the healing process and to reduce the appearance of scars on healing wounds.

Lavender essential oil also soothes sunburn by applying a few drops mixed with aloe vera gel to relieve inflamed skin. However, don't apply any oil to the fresh burn as it can trap the heat on your skin and worsen the problem. So, instead, start using the oil once your sunburn starts to heal to prevent scarring.

Potential Side Effects of Using Lavender Essential Oil

Just as there are myriads of benefits associated with lavender essential oil, it’s important to take note of some likely side effects that may occur:

• Lavender essential oil, can cause toxic effects when ingested; hence any form of oral ingestion should be strictly supervised by a healthcare practitioner.
• It may cause irritation on the skin or an allergic reaction when used, thus a patch test should be carried out before use. If you notice a burning sensation or a rash, discontinue use immediately.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it may not be safe to use, please consult your healthcare practitioner for guidance.

Takeaway

Lavender essential oil remains one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy. It's a multipurpose oil, and offers a truckload of benefits when used on the skin as well.

However, just as it may be gentle on the skin, it could likely cause side effects such as skin irritations or an allergic reaction. So, to be on the safer side, conduct a patch test to test your skin’s sensitivity to it and consult your doctor beforehand for better guidance.

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