You’ve probably marveled at fields of lavender swaying in the breeze or caught a whiff of its calming scent in a bouquet.

But is it safe to apply lavender oil directly to your skin?

If so, how?

Let’s take a closer look.

All About Lavender: A Deep Dive

Lavender, a member of the mint family, is one of the most well-known and widely used herbs around the globe.

Famous for its distinctive fragrance and beautiful purple flowers, lavender is known for its versatility in culinary art, perfumery, and, of course, skincare.

Packed with several potentially beneficial properties, lavender can be used for skin in two primary forms — as an extract derived from the flowers and as an essential oil.

Let’s break it down.

Lavender Extract

The lavender extract is a softer, more gentle form of this beneficial herb, often obtained by soaking the flowers in hot water or oil. This process allows the pivotal components of the flowers to seep into the liquid, creating a calming infusion.

Lavender infusions may be added to bath water or used in homemade skincare concoctions to support a gentle, soothing effect on the skin.

Lavender Essential Oil

On the other hand, lavender essential oil is a highly concentrated form of the herb.

Extracted through steam distillation of the flowers, this essential oil holds a potent blend of lavender’s beneficial compounds.

Just like any essential oil, its concentrated nature sometimes raises eyebrows regarding its safety for skin application. However, if used appropriately, it can offer an array of skincare benefits.

Key Benefits of Lavender for the Skin

Despite its concentration question — which we’ll get into in a moment — lavender has long been praised for its soothing skin benefits. Here are some key ones that stand out:

• Can help soothe dry skin: Lavender, especially in its essential oil form, is known to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties, which may help combat inflammatory skin conditions like dry skin and eczema.
• Supports an even skin tone: Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, lavender oil may also help support a brighter complexion. While more research is needed, one study found that it had a “depigmenting effect” after being applied topically for 2 months.
• May fight signs of aging: Lavender oil also offers antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help shield your skin from free radicals that degrade collagen and elastin which could otherwise lead to fine lines and wrinkles.

No matter which form you choose, remember that lavender’s goodness has a lot to offer your skin.

Is Lavender Safe for Skin?

In short, yes.

But there’s a little more to know about it before you start using it.

Lavender, in its different forms, is generally safe for skin application, offering a range of potential benefits, from calming irritations to brightening the complexion. However, it’s essential to consider a few guidelines before incorporating lavender into your skincare routine.

Let’s delve into these to ensure safe and effective usage.

Lavender Flowers: Gentle Efficacy for Sensitive Skin

Making your own skincare products at home?

Lavender flowers could be an excellent choice for your DIY undertakings. They offer a gentler approach compared to essential oils and are usually considered safe even for sensitive skin.

An easy way to use lavender flowers is by making a soothing infusion or ‘tea.’ Simply boil the flowers in water, strain, cool, and voilà. You have a mild lavender rinse for your skin!

Alternatively, adding this flower-infused hot water to your bath offers a spa-like experience while subtly catering to your skin.

That said, always remember the cardinal rule of skincare — do a patch test first.

This process involves applying a small amount of your homemade lavender product on a portion of your skin (preferably on your forearm) and waiting for a day to observe possible effects. This ensures your skin’s compatibility with the new product, even as gentle as a lavender flower infusion.

Lavender Essential Oil: Potency with a Punch

Lavender essential oil — powerful and marvelously aromatic — has swept its way into numerous skincare products.

While it can be applied directly onto the skin, its potency means you need to dilute it before use, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Many prefer to dilute their lavender essential oil with a carrier oil like aloe, jojoba, or olive oil. This helps reduce the oil’s intensity without curbing its benefits. In fact, using a carrier oil combines the power of the two ingredients and may actually provide you with further hydrating and antioxidant benefits!

Alternatively, for a hassle-free approach, many skincare products also come with lavender oil conveniently blended into their formula. Just be sure you’re using a 100% organic product powered only by botanicals and no harsh additives. Otherwise, you could accidentally undo lavender’s skincare benefits!

Remember, just like with lavender flowers, never miss out on conducting a patch test before using lavender oil for the first time.

The Bottom Line

The lavender plant, with its aromatic flowers and potent essential oil, offers a generally safe and beneficial avenue for most , even if you struggle with sensitive skin.

But the question of safety isn’t only about whether lavender is generally safe for the skin.

You also need to ask how to use it responsibly to unearth its benefits.

Quality matters.

Only invest in a pure, organic oil to get the full essence of the plant’s nutrient profile.

Finally, remember that everyone’s skin is unique. What works for others may not work for you. So, before diving into this fragrant herb’s benefits, go slow and remember your patch test.

Lavender and Anti-Aging Skincare: A Match Made in Heaven

Now that lavender’s multifaceted potential has sparked your interest, it’s the ideal time to discover just how these benefits translate to skincare products.

Enter Purity Woods’ Age-Defying Eye Cream.

Infused with just the right amount of lavender essential oil — diluted, yet effective — this product gently caters to the delicate skin around the eyes. Whether your skin is oily, dry, or balanced, this cream combats visible signs of aging for a younger-looking complexion..

And it doesn’t just stop there.

With its calming lavender essence combined with 20+ other antioxidant and nutrient-rich botanicals, your skincare ritual could be equally as soothing for the senses as it is for your skin.

Why wait?

Check out the eye cream here and start rewinding the clock on aging eyes today.