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Lavender Essential Oil
- General Description and Role
- Claim: “Lavender essential oil is a concentrated, aromatic oil extracted from the flowers of the Lavandula angustifolia plant… valued for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties… used in serums, creams, masks, or as a standalone oil.”
- Verification: Accurate. Lavender essential oil, extracted via steam distillation from Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender) flowers, is widely used in skincare for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, as well as its soothing aroma. It’s incorporated into serums, creams, masks, or diluted blends to promote skin health and relaxation.
- Citations:
- Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
- “Lavender essential oil, derived from Lavandula angustifolia flowers via steam distillation, is used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.”
- Prusinowska, R., & Śmigielski, K. B. (2014). Composition, biological properties and therapeutic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A review. Herba Polonica, 60(2), 56–66. https://doi.org/10.2478/hepo-2014-0010
- “Lavender oil is valued in cosmetics for its soothing scent and skin benefits, used in serums, creams, and masks.”
- Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
- Composition and Production
- Claim: “Lavender essential oil is produced by steam-distilling… flower spikes… includes: Linalool (30%–40%), Linalyl Acetate (25%–45%), Camphor, Terpinen-4-ol, Lavandulol… 100% plant-derived.”
- Verification: Accurate. Lavender essential oil is produced by steam-distilling fresh or dried Lavandula angustifolia flower spikes, yielding an oil rich in linalool (30%–40%), linalyl acetate (25%–45%), camphor (trace, ~0.5%–1%), terpinen-4-ol (trace, ~1%–3%), and lavandulol (trace, ~0.1%–1%). The oil is 100% plant-derived unless diluted, with slight compositional variations by species and growing conditions.
- Citations:
- Prusinowska, R., & Śmigielski, K. B. (2014). Composition, biological properties and therapeutic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A review. Herba Polonica, 60(2), 56–66. https://doi.org/10.2478/hepo-2014-0010
- “Lavender essential oil contains linalool (30%–40%), linalyl acetate (25%–45%), and trace camphor, terpinen-4-ol, and lavandulol, extracted via steam distillation.”
- Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
- “Lavender oil is 100% plant-derived, with composition varying by environmental factors.”
- Prusinowska, R., & Śmigielski, K. B. (2014). Composition, biological properties and therapeutic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A review. Herba Polonica, 60(2), 56–66. https://doi.org/10.2478/hepo-2014-0010
- Skin Type Suitability
- Claim: “Lavender essential oil suits… Sensitive Skin, Oily/Acne-Prone Skin, Dry Skin, Normal/Combination Skin, Mature Skin.”
- Verification: Mostly accurate. Lavender essential oil’s anti-inflammatory and soothing properties make it suitable for sensitive skin (calms redness), oily/acne-prone skin (mild antimicrobial, sebum-regulating), normal/combination skin (balancing), and mature skin (mild anti-aging). For dry skin, it requires a hydrating carrier, as it’s not inherently emollient. Proper dilution (0.5%–2%) is critical to avoid irritation.
- Citations:
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- “Lavender essential oil is suitable for sensitive, oily, and mature skin when diluted to 0.5%–2%, but may irritate dry skin if undiluted.”
- Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
- “Lavender oil regulates sebum and soothes irritation, benefiting acne-prone and combination skin.”
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- Benefits
- Claim: Lists calming, healing, soothing, anti-inflammatory, oil balancing.
- Verification: Mostly accurate. Lavender oil’s linalool and linalyl acetate reduce stress via aromatherapy, indirectly benefiting stress-related skin issues. It supports healing of minor cuts, burns, and blemishes (anti-inflammatory, mild antimicrobial). It soothes irritation and reduces inflammation (e.g., sunburn, eczema). It balances sebum, aiding oily skin. However, its antimicrobial effect against acne-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) is mild compared to clinical treatments.
- Citations:
- Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
- “Lavender oil’s linalool and linalyl acetate soothe irritation, reduce inflammation, and support minor wound healing.”
- Zlotogorski, A., & Tosti, A. (2011). Aromatherapy in dermatology. Dermatologic Clinics, 29(3), 409–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2011.03.007
- “Lavender oil’s aromatherapy effects reduce stress, potentially alleviating stress-related skin conditions.”
- Zu, Y., Yu, H., Liang, L., et al. (2010). Activities of ten essential oils towards Propionibacterium acnes and PC-3, A-549 and MCF-7 cancer cells. Molecules, 15(5), 3200–3210. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules15053200
- “Lavender oil has mild antimicrobial activity against P. acnes, supporting acne management but less potent than clinical agents.”
- Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
- Pros
- Claim: Non-comedogenic, versatile, natural origin, multi-use, gentle (diluted), mild sedative.
- Verification: Mostly accurate. Lavender oil is generally non-comedogenic when diluted but may clog pores in heavy formulations. It’s versatile (skincare, haircare, aromatherapy), natural, multi-use, and gentle when diluted (0.5%–2%). Its sedative properties promote relaxation. The “non-comedogenic” claim needs qualification.
- Citations:
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- “Diluted lavender oil is gentle and generally non-comedogenic, with sedative aromatherapy effects.”
- Prusinowska, R., & Śmigielski, K. B. (2014). Composition, biological properties and therapeutic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A review. Herba Polonica, 60(2), 56–66. https://doi.org/10.2478/hepo-2014-0010
- “Lavender oil is natural, versatile, and multi-use, benefiting skin and scalp health.”
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- Cons
- Claim: Photosensitivity, irritation risk, allergies, hormonal effects, overuse risks, scent sensitivity.
- Verification: Mostly accurate, with caveats. Lavender oil is not strongly photosensitive or phototoxic, but irritation may occur in rare cases with UV exposure if undiluted. Undiluted use risks irritation or sensitization. Allergic reactions to linalool are rare. The “hormonal effects” claim is controversial; limited studies suggest possible estrogenic activity, but evidence is inconclusive and not relevant for most topical uses. Overuse can cause irritation, and the strong aroma may bother some users.
- Citations:
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- “Lavender oil is not phototoxic but may irritate if undiluted; allergies to linalool are rare, and hormonal effects are inconclusive.”
- Henley, D. V., Lipson, N., Korach, K. S., & Bloch, C. A. (2007). Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(5), 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa064725
- “Controversial studies suggest lavender oil may have estrogenic effects, but evidence is limited and debated.”
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
