Lavender’s skin care benefits are truly amazing…
We all know lavender essential oil for its power to soothe our shattered nerves, and gently lull us into a calming sleep. But did you know that part of its multi-benefit magic is how much it can help repair your skin?
Whether your face is too oily or dry, has pimples or wrinkles, dark spots or hyperpigmentation – and even eczema, psoriasis or rosacea – lavender oil is the next best thing to add to your skin care routine. And if all you want is healthy and gorgeous glowing skin, it can do that too…
Here’s how you can make the most of lavender essential oil’s soothing, smoothing and healing benefits for your skin…
WHAT DOES LAVENDER OIL DO FOR YOUR SKIN?
Lavender essential oil boasts powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antibacterial properties that, when working together, offer substantially more benefits for your skin than you probably ever realized.
Got oily skin and acne? Or are you suffering from scars, age spots or hyperpigmentation problems? And what about dry, rough or itchy skin? Or unwanted wrinkles and sagging, aging skin that needs a little tightening? Lavender essential oil can help.
Its potent natural healing properties even extend to successfully treating troubling skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. It also soothes the worse sunburn and helps treat minor wounds, rashes and insect bites. And if that’s not enough, lavender oil lightens and brightens too – and gives your skin a wonderful glow.
One of the best and most versatile of all essential oils for skin, lavender calms, soothes, nourishes, repairs, treats, detoxifies, and rebuilds collagen while promoting healing and overall skin health. Its small molecular structure helps it penetrate deep into the skin so supporting healing from the inside out.
Here’s how many ways you can use lavender oil to make the best of your skin…
1. FIGHTS ACNE AND OILY SKIN
Even though it sounds counter intuitive, using lavender oil to treat oily and blemish-prone skin can be a real face savior. In doing so, it helps clear up pimples and prevents future acne flare ups.
Many people with problem skin try and get rid of all their excess oil by using harsh stripping products. The skin becomes too dry and over compensates by producing even more oil, leading to clogged pores. Together with the acne p. bacteria, this creates the perfect conditions for a breakout.
Lavender essential oil can actually help by regulating the skin’s oil production and in doing so, keeps the moisture barrier well balanced so that the skin stays perfectly moisturized and doesn’t dry out.
And just like traditional anti-acne products, lavender oil is able to kill off the bacteria that penetrate your pores as well as soothe inflammation, so is an ideal natural solution to not only treating pimples but also help keep them at bay. In fact, a study found that a concentration of 0,25% lavender oil killed off the acne p. bacteria in about 5 minutes.
One of lavender’s other benefits is that it’s non-comedogenic so won’t clog pores, making it a great choice for an oily, acne-prone skin.
Studies also suggest that in times of increased stress and anxiety, people often experience breakouts. It is believed that the increase in acne may be due to higher levels of sebum that are produced in times of stress. Because lavender oil is a powerful stress reliever and helps you relax, it can also reduce stress induced acne.
2. SOOTHES DRY SKIN AND ECZEMA
If you suffer either from dry, chapped skin or itchiness caused by eczema, it’s time to add lavender essential oil to your routine for some much-needed relief. It can even help soothe any pain and itchiness from a mosquito or insect bite.
As lavender essential oil does an excellent job of regulating and balancing your skin’s moisture barrier, it actually prevents it from turning too dry. The skin needs oil to stay well moisturized and keep healthy, soft and smooth.
Massage some lavender body lotion into those dry spots to promote, smoother itch-free skin. And keep some luxurious lavender hand cream around to regularly moisturize and nourish your hands throughout the day. Just make sure you are using products made with 100% pure essential oil, and not just a lavender scent.
Due to its potent anti-inflammatory benefits, lavender oil also calms and soothes the skin, especially chapped and dry skin on the hands and arms, and when you have been bitten by an insect. And together with its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it can be a very effective natural treatment to help speed up skin healing and to relieve and ease the itching that comes with eczema.
Lavender can be especially helpful for those people who are sensitive to prescription creams, as it is one of the gentlest essential oils around. However, you should always check with your doctor before starting a new treatment, especially if you’re already using medication for eczema..
3. LIGHTENS HYPERPIGMENTATION AND TREATS SCARS
Lavender essential oil has exceptional anti-inflammatory properties. It helps treat acne scars and age spots by calming and soothing the skin, plus it promotes the lightening and brightening of skin. It’s potent antioxidant powers also help repair skin damaged by scarring or hyperpigmentation.
Pigmentation occurs when the melanin in the skin clusters into spots or patches. This could be due to genes (freckles), trauma or inflammation of the skin (acne scars), hormones (melasma aka the pregnancy mask) or age (with hormonal changes, excess UV exposure, pollution, etc.) - or a combination of these.
Acne scars are different from those caused by cuts and wounds. Caused by inflammation which runs deep into the skin, the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation leaves angry red or dark spots on the face. Lavender is one of the best essential oils to treat acne - and any other - scars as it inhibits inflammation and also speeds up the skin’s regenerative process by helping to rebuild collagen and elastin. It’s best used early on in the treatment of scars, and results can be seen in as little as a week.
Lavender’s powerful calming and healing benefits also help minimize and lighten the appearance of dark age spots, sun spots and other pigmentation marks when used consistently over a period of time. Try mixing lavender and frankincense essential oils and apply just before you go to sleep. You can also help keep those aging sun spots on your hands at bay by regularly using a lavender hand cream.
Plus, when used on a regular basis, lavender oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits can help lighten and brighten the skin to ensure you always have a gorgeous healthy glow.
4. HELPS SMOOTH WRINKLES & REPAIR AGEING SKIN
Lavender essential oil is not only a potent antioxidant and but also helps increase collagen production. These anti-aging benefits make it ideal for tightening up aging, sagging skin and helping to reduce those fine lines and wrinkles.
The skin is constantly bombarded with free radicals caused by things like the sun, pollution, lack of sleep, stress and illness. Through the process of oxidation, free radicals cause damage to skin cells, which ultimately leads to a breakdown in collagen and elastin. This results in wrinkles, lines, dehydration, premature sagging and loss of youthful volume.
Lavender essential oil’s antioxidant power helps fight off those free radicals that cause oxidative damage and so protects and repairs your skin. One study also showed that lavender oil significantly stimulated collagen production, so improving the skin’s firmness, strength and plumpness.
Lavender’s powerful antioxidative benefits can help detoxify the whole body. Well known to calm the mind and guarantee a good night’s sleep, a hot bath with about 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil can also provide an ultra-detoxifying all-over body treatment for your skin.
Or treat yourself to a lavender bubble bath for glowing skin and a luxe pamper session. Finish off by moisturizing with a lavender infused body lotion for all over firmer, smoother skin. Check out more luxury pure lavender oil skin care goodies that will help detoxify and indulge your skin.
5. SOOTHES AND CALMS REDNESS, PSORIASIS AND ROSACEA
Lavender is probably the No 1 essential oil when it comes to healing skin conditions, burns and cuts. With its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial and detoxifying benefits, lavender essential oil can help reduce redness, soothe and calm the skin and rapidly heal minor cuts and scrapes, as well as any rashes.
With its calming and inflammation fighting perks, lavender essential oil can be particularly beneficial for both psoriasis and rosacea. Lavender also helps reduce the stress which can trigger psoriasis outbreaks and promotes new skin growth in affected areas, so is one of the best oils to use as part of the full treatment of the condition. You can also regularly use a lavender body lotion or hand cream to help keep your skin calm.
For centuries, people have been using lavender essential oil to clean wounds, treat burns and other skin injuries. Its antiseptic properties help skin to heal faster, while fighting and preventing further infection. When combined with benefit rich aloe vera, it is able to soothe even the most severe sunburn and quickly heal minor wounds by repairing damaged skin tissue - and with less scarring.
HOW TO USE LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL FOR FACE AND SKIN
The best way to use lavender essential oil on your skin is to apply 2-3 drops directly onto a specific problem area, whether it be on your face or body. Or you can combine it with a carrier oil to make your own everyday lavender face and body serum to use before your normal moisturizer or body lotion.
Pick a carrier oil for your skin type and add about 10 drops of lavender essential oil for each tablespoon of carrier oil. For a 2-ounce dropper bottle, that means about 40 drops of lavender oil.
Fortunately, lavender is one of the gentlest and safest essential oils, and is the best choice if you have sensitive skin. However, it would be advisable to avoid direct application and move straight on to diluting your essential oil in a soothing carrier oil.
Best Carrier Oils for Your Skin
Oily, acne prone skin - try jojoba oil or grapeseed oil which penetrate the skin quickly, are easily absorbed, won’t clog pores and don’t leave an oily residue.
Combination skin - jojoba oil which is nourishing enough for dry skin but also kind to oily skin. It mimics the skin’s natural sebum and so helps balance oil production.
Dry and mature skin – try argan, rosehip or pomegranate oils all of which provide deep moisture and anti-aging benefits.
Sensitive skin - the best carrier oil needs to be mild. Try sweet almond oil, apricot oil, rosehip oil or jojoba oil. Always patch test the oil on the inside of your upper arm for 24 hours before using.
You can also combine lavender essential oil with un-fragranced creams and lotions for everyday use. For every ounce of lotion or cream, add between 6 and 12 drops of essential oil.
Otherwise, just mix in a drop of lavender oil with your usual moisturizing face cream or body lotion before applying.
For the ultimate in convenience, you can also use high quality skin care products infused with genuine 100% pure lavender essential oil.
16 Remarkable Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil for Your Skin, Hair, Body and Mind – Read More
Lavender oil smells good – it helps you relax by reducing stress and anxiety almost immediately. It’s not only great for your mental well-being, but also has amazing benefits for your face and skin.
This wonder oil is one of the best to helps keep your skin clear and acne free, fight the signs of aging, improve the skin’s moisture balance and elasticity, deeply nourish dry skin and calm and soothe a number of skin conditions.
In this era of self-care, it turns out that lavender essential oil is a smart choice to add to your skin care routine and indulge in some comforting pamper time as well…
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Please check with your doctor before using essential oils to treat any medical concerns.
Although lavender is one of the gentlest essential oils, please use caution when applying directly on the skin because this can cause irritation. Be sure to patch test on the inside of your arm for 24 hours beforehand.
There's a difference between lavender essential oil and lavender oil, which is simply a perfume. If a label does not clearly state that it is an 'essential oil,' then it is not a pure oil and should not be used as suggested.