Lavender Oil For Skin: 7 Surprising Benefits And Uses Of Lavender Oil for Skin
Skincare is a delicate matter. It seems like anything we do can throw our skin off balance and lead to excess dryness, an oil slick, a breakout or a rash. Every day matters such as stress, weather or using a new product may drive our skin to freak out in one way or another. This is especially true for people with sensitive skin. So, what are we to do to keep our skin calm, balanced and looking great?
One wonderful addition to your skincare arsenal is lavender oil.
About Lavender Oil
The word lavender is derived from the Latin word lavare, which means to wash. Lavender has been known for its gentle and soothing fragrance since ancient times.
Medicinally, lavender essential oil is one of only a tiny number of essential oils that can be used straight on the skin. There are many benefits of lavender oil. It is a wonderful sedative for young and old alike, even being used to ward off headache-including migraines. A lovely headache balm can be made using lavender essential oil.
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Characteristics of Lavender Oil
- Anti-Inflammatory – It reduces inflammation such as redness, swelling, damaged skin cells etc.
- Anti-Fungal – shows a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi responsible for common skin and nail infections
- Anti-Bacterial – It is used as an antibacterial agent against pathogenic bacteria
Did You Know? Jasmine oil also has similar characteristics and hence it too benefits your body in a similar fashion. Check out these benefits of Jasmine oil and learn how to use it to improve your health.
Benefits of Lavender Oil for Skin
Bug Repellent
Apply some lavender oil on the exposed skin when outside to prevent these irritating bites.
Treats Acne
You can treat acne and pimples with lavender oil applied directly with a cotton swab. You can also use Sesame oil to treat acne. There are many benefits of Sesame oil for your skin that help improve your skin’s health.
Relieves Pain
Lavender essential oil is known as an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore and tense muscles, muscular aches, sprains, and backache.
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Treats Eczema
Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin becomes rough and inflamed with blisters which cause itching and bleeding. Lavender oil is also added to chamomile to treat eczema.
Treats Sunburn
Using diluted lavender oil on your skin after a day in the hot sun may help to relieve the burning and swelling.
Wrinkle Prevention
It protects your skin from damaging free radicals, which contribute to fine lines and wrinkles (as well as other signs of aging skin).
Enhancing Meditation
Its calming properties puts your mind in the right frame to achieve clarity and enlightenment through meditation.
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- Constipation
- Headache
- Skin irritation when used topically
Precautions:
- Always test for skin sensitivity prior to widespread use and use on the feet when possible
- Excessive use of any oil can lead to skin sensitization
- Keep out of eyes, ears, or nose.
14 Questions About Benefits And Uses of Lavender Oil Answered
What happens if you directly put Lavender oil on your skin? Does it pose any health risk or is it dangerous?
It is advisable that you never apply any essential oil directly on the skin. Although lavender essential oil does not pose any serious health risk and is safe for human use, it should always be applied when it is blended with a carrier oil. Direct application of lavender oil on the skin can cause skin irritation or rashes and may trigger allergic reactions.
How will essential oils transform my skin? Will it make my skin softer and shinier?
Essential oils are the new mantra to address many skin problems. They make the skin soft, supple and radiant over a period of time. They impart a healthy glow to the skin and makes it glow. Yes, use if essential oils make the skin soft, smooth and shiny. Try using pure essential oils like lavender oil, rosehip seed oil, geranium oil, bergamot oil, argan oil etc.
Can anybody share their experience of using Lavender oil or ylang-ylang oil?
I was a person with chronic acne breakouts and had tried everything under the sun but to no avail. It was then that I decided to switch to natural essential oils for treating my problems. I mixed lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil and diluted the blend before applying it on my acne spots. I was surprised to see the inflammation reduce in a few days. Over a period of few months, my skin had become smoother, softer and even without any signs of an acne breakout ever.
Is it true that Lavender oil is cytotoxic and causes skin irritation?
The cytotoxicity of lavender oil is a topic of debate and research. While some studies suggest that lavender oil is cytotoxic, causes skin irritation and skin death, there are numerous others that suggest otherwise.
Can I mix jojoba oil and Apricot kernel oil with Lavender oil for dry skin?
Yes, you can blend jojoba oil, lavender essential oil, and Apricot kernel oil and apply it on your body to get rid of dry flaky skin. Lavender works as a barrier to keep nourishment and moisture locked in the skin. Apricot kernel oil gets readily absorbed in the skin without any residual effect and it nourishes and hydrates dry skin. Jojoba oil regulates the pH balance of the skin, soothes and hydrates skin and moisturizes it. Hence a blend of the three is an apt solution for dry skin.
What are the natural ways to treat nummular eczema?
The best way to treat nummular eczema is to take notice of the triggers and prevent them. Avoid food triggers like eggs and brinjal. You can also apply diluted lavender essential oil on the affected area regularly to treat it. Myrrh oil, hemp seeds oil and geranium oil are some other oils that can be applied too.
Can I put lavender Essential oil directly on my skin? Can this Essential oil cure acne?
Lavender oil is an exception in the essential oils category as it is the only oil that can be safely applied to the skin in an undiluted form. However, if it causes skin irritation, tingling, redness, and rashes, dilute the oil before using it. Yes, lavender essential oil when mixed with carrier oils like frankincense or coconut is very effective in treating acne.
Does Lavender oil have a drying effect on the skin?
It is highly improbable that lavender oil would have a drying effect on the skin because lavender oil is an excellent moisturizer. It nourishes the skin and acts as a buffer between your skin and external harmful pollutants, dust and more. It locks in the natural skin oils and moisture inside the cells and keeps it soft and supple.
Does Lavender oil make your skin break out?
Lavender oil is a strong oil and may make the skin redder on initial applications. However, it is unlikely to cause skin outbreaks. The acne institute has recognized lavender oil as an essential oil that helps in curing acne outbreaks.
Where do you put Lavender oil for sleep? Does it help in sleeping?
Add a few drops of lavender essential oils to your humidifier or blend lavender essential oil with a carrier oil and apply it to your head or eyes to get a peaceful night’s sleep. It helps in sleeping, curing sleeplessness and curing disrupted sleep patterns.
How do I dilute Lavender oil before applying on my skin? Where shall I apply Lavender oil?
You can easily dilute the lavender Essential oil using the 2% dilution method before applying it on your skin. All you have to do is take exactly 12 to 13 drops of Lavender Essential oil and mix it with 30 ml of any carrier oil. Make sure that the oils are blended well before use. Apply the lavender essential oil on the temples of your head, the wrist, feet, palms, spine and other body parts to get instant relief from pain and have a soothing and calming effect on the body and mind.
Is Lavender oil good for dark circles?
Lavender oil is one of the most sought after essential oils when it comes to treating dark circles and other eye-related problems. Lavender oil helps in fading the dark circles of the eyes. Because of its soothing effect, it relaxes the eye muscles and reduces puffiness and lightens the skin tone around the eyes.
Does Lavender oil irritate the skin? Does it cause cell death?
Direct application of undiluted Lavender oil on the skin can cause skin irritation, burning sensations, skin rashes and more. Make sure you dilute lavender essential oil before applying it on your body.
Whether lavender essential oil causes cell death or not is a hot topic for debate for many scientists and researchers. There is a government-backed research that targets the cytotoxic effects of lavender oil. However, there are studies that avouch by its skin benefits. No solid conclusion or proof exists of lavender oil causing cell death.
