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Lavender is one of the best known essential oils and there are lots of things you can do with it. From simply enjoying the scent of lavender in your diffuser to bringing practical health benefits, it is a great oil to have in your collection. If you are a fan of natural products, there are lots of ways to use it.
One area that it is associated with is skin and hair. But what kind of things do people use lavender essential oil for with their skin and hair? And what can you make with it? Let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
What is lavender essential oil?
Lavender essential oil comes from a concentration of the different types of lavender, a group of plants in the same family as mint and rosemary. They have distinctive flowers that are usually a soft purple colour but come in other shades too. The combination of the look and smell of the plant make it a popular one to grow yourself in your garden.
Lavender was a precious plant to the Romans and Egyptians because they used it extensively as a medicine for headaches, sore throats, indigestion, and cleaning wounds after a battle.
It gained royalty status as the British Royal Family used lavender and its byproducts since the 1600s. Today, lavender is one of the most recognized herbs for skin and hair care. It mildly nourishes almost all skin types, hair and improves their overall health. Lavender also has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.
How does lavender oil help skin?
There are several ways you can use lavender essential oil to help your skin. Lavender is an excellent skin conditioner. It doesn’t contain harmful sulfates and parabens that cause damage to the skin in the long run.
Lavender oil as an anti-inflammatory
Lavender had natural anti-inflamamtory properties that means it helps to sooth the skin when it is inflamed or sore. One study showed that mixing with coconut or moringa oil was ideal to help with a burn while another study showed that it could be paired with aloe vera to help with sunburn.
Lavender oil for acne
Lavender heals acne by unclogging pores and killing bacteria. A simple remedy you can use to treat acne is applying and washing a mix of lavender oil and carrier oil on the face every day.
Facial toner
Also, drops of lavender oil can be used as a facial toner. With a cotton swab, gently rub 1 to 2 drops of essential oil on your face. Doing this reduces inflammation and restricts the formation of new pimples.
Relieves itchy and dry skin
In the early stages of skin problems such as eczema and dry skin, lavender essential oil soothes these conditions with repeated use for months. When skin irritation has progressed, applying lavender oil reduces symptoms of itchy and dry skin.
Consulting a dermatologist is advised to those who have developed skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and others. Lavender by itself is not a treatment for aggravated skin conditions. There is also the risk of an allergic reaction when using any essential oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Lavender oil for scars
If you have scars and dark spots on your skin, lavender oil can have positive effects on the condition of the skin. Also, it lessens hyperpigmentation, redness, and blotchiness.
Wrinkle prevention
Lavender prevents the formation of wrinkles and fine lines caused by free radicals. You can apply a mixture of a couple of drops of lavender oil and coconut oil once a day on wrinkles which effects the skin and helps ease wrinkles.
Skin protection
The anti-inflammatory properties of lavender protect the skin from skin burns. A combination of moringa oil, lavender oil, and jojoba oil acts as a great conditioner for treating skin burns. Applying it three times a day can help to heal sunburn.
Lavender oil for bug bites
Studies have shown that one of the effects of lavender is that it can effectively repel mosquitoes. By combining it with other essential oils, such as citronella, a person can create their own eco-friendly bug spray. You can add it to insect bites to get the anti-inflammatory benefits.
In addition, the antibacterial properties of lavender oil may help prevent bug bites from becoming infected.
What are the benefits of lavender oil for hair?
One of the potent and best uses of lavender is growing new hair and preventing hair loss. The effectiveness of lavender oil in treating alopecia areata is now widely known. Studies in a clinical setting have shown that topical application of lavender oil on the scalp and hair strengthens hair follicles and increases hair growth.
Lavender oil, combined with rosemary oil, thyme oil, and cedarwood oil, gives better results. The other essential oils contain ingredients to strengthen, repair, and condition hair. With enhanced growth, you get shiny and soft hair.
The antifungal and antibacterial properties of lavender help to clear dandruff and scalp issues. It rejuvenates the scalp to grow new cells and nourishes the hair follicles to grow healthy hair. Also, the calming scent of the lavender will leave a pleasant feeling for the day.
While the scalp can dry and be sensitive to repeated use of shampoos, applying lavender oil restores moisture and nourishment with its natural ingredients. The antioxidants contained in lavender take care of the damage caused by free radicals leading to skin ageing.
Can I apply lavender oil directly to skin?
You can sometimes apply a few drops of lavender oil to your skin but it is always best to try a small area somewhere first. That’s because there’s always a chance of skin irritation or a reaction. Generally, it is best to use it with other products such as a carrier oil, in a diffuser or diluted in water to be safe.
How to Make a Lavender Face Scrub
A simple sugar scrub to use on your face to get the benefits of lavender essential oil
Materials
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup pure coconut oil
- 25 drops or 1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a bowl
- Massage lavender face scrub on the face-covering forehead, eye region, chin, cheeks, and nose for 30 seconds in circular motions to exfoliate the skin
- Rinse and pat dry
Notes
If you want yours to have that nice colour, add a drop or two of purple food colouring or you could add some lavender petals into the mix.
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