Vinay Kumar Singh.
Head-Formulation
Kumar Organic Products Research Centre Pvt. Ltd.,
Bengaluru
Email : formulation_krc@kopresearchcentre.net
This legendary botanical, Lavender belongs to the mint family, but its taste and aroma are wholly unique. The strong, crisp scent profile has been described as a mix of mint and rosemary with a sweet, floral twist. It’s long history as a beauty and medical treatment suggests that lavender oil is far more than just a pretty plant.
People usually associate lavender with two specific traits: its fragrance and its colour. But you may not know that the lavender flower and the oil derived from it have long histories in herbal medicine.
The word lavender comes from the Latin root “lavare,” which literally means “to wash.” The earliest recorded use of lavender dates back to ancient Egypt. There, lavender oil played a role in the mummification process.
During later times, lavender became a bath additive in several regions, including ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome. These cultures believed that lavender helped purify the body and mind.
Lavandula angustifolia has long been enjoyed in its oil form for its lavish scent and healing effects. Queen Elizabeth loved using lavender as a perfume, and even added it to her tea. Victorian ladies loved using lavender oil as perfumes, and it was even used as an antiseptic in the First World War.
It’s believed to be native to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India, with a history dating as far back as 2,500 years. In ancient times, lavender was used as a holy herb. Additionally, it was often used to freshen up and give a light scent to a variety of personal items, such as clothes and hair.
Lavender oil, or lavender flower oil, is obtained by distillation of the flowers and is used chiefly in fine perfumes and cosmetics. It is a colourless or yellow liquid, the fragrant constituents of which are linalyl acetate, linalool, pinene, limonene, geraniol, and cineole. Lavender water, a solution of the essential oil in alcohol with other added scents, is used in a variety of toilette preparations.
Spike oil, or spike lavender oil, is distilled from a somewhat inferior grade of lavender. Oil of spike is used in painting on porcelain, in soap manufacture, and to scent other products.
Today, lavender is more than just a fragrant plant. As it turns out, this herb is also commonly used for cosmetics and therapeutic benefits.
Benefits of Lavender Oil for Skin
With skin care entering the self care realm, and more of us who are enjoying a 10 step Korean skin care routine more as pamper time rather than a chore, lavender oil for skin is a match made in heaven. Lavender oil not only boosts potent anti-inflammatory properties, but is also ultra soothing for skin with a therapeutic scent. Here are all the ways to use lavender oil for skin.
1. Fights Acne
Acne often flares up when your skin does not have enough oil. Dry skin can start to overproduce sebum (your skin’s natural oil) to compensate, leading to clogged pores and acne formation. Lavender oil gently moisturizes skin, and is non-comedogenic for pores.
Lavender oil is naturally antibacterial, meaning that it kills acne-causing bacteria that might infiltrate your pores. This makes the purple flower perfect for preventing, calming, and healing painful acne breakouts.
Lavender oil in BB Cream and Long Last Concealer, for full coverage that leaves skin refreshed and soothed. Combine lavender oil with a targeted acne treatment plan infused with tea tree or witch hazel for a one-two punch at acne.Compared to more aggressive treatments, lavender oil could be a gentle way to treat acne due to its ability to kill bacteria.In a 2013 study, a combination of lavender oil and aloe extract effectively inhibited the growth of one bacterial strain that causes acne.
2. Soothes Eczema and Dry Skin Conditions
If you’ve been itching away at dry skin patches with no hope in sight, turn to lavender oil for some much needed relief. As we mentioned, lavender oil does a stellar job at balancing your skin’s moisture barrier, so that it isn’t too oily or too dry. Massage some lavender lotion all over, or a lavender body butter onto extra dry areas to promote soft, itch-free skin.
For skin on your face, warm the rich Intensive Nourishing Balm with lavender oil between fingers and dab it onto extra dry, flaky patches of skin for instant smoothness. For everyday defense against dryness, apply the Intensive Nourishing Facial Oil with lavender oil after your daily moisturizer. Lavender contains two inflammation-fighting compounds called linalool and linalyl acetate. A 2020 study suggests that these may provide relief for skin issues, such as:eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, itching&rashes.
3. Anti-inflammatory Superstar
Lavender offers the calming benefits for your skin. You can use calming lavender oil for skin to help reduce redness, blotchy patches, and acne scarring. Lavender oil’s anti-inflammatory properties make it great for soothing and healing skin that’s irritated or reddened from the sun, insect bites, or bacteria.
4. Detoxifies Skin
With an eye on lavender’s incredible aromatherapeutic resume, it has been enlisted this essential oil for the bathtub, too. The Lavender Sea Therapy Bath combines lavender oil with nourishing crystallized kelp for a spa worthy self-care experience at home. These bath salts deeply detoxify to purge harmful toxins from the skin, while promoting tension-release for sore muscles and a tired mind.
5. Heals Injured Skin
The ancient Greeks used lavender oil to clean wounds, heal burns, and treat other skin injuries. Its antiseptic properties also help skin to heal faster, while fighting and preventing further infection.
Washing hardworking hands with a lavender-infused soap is a great way to maintain healthy skin without irritating minor cuts and abrasions.
Lavender has long been used as a traditional remedy for burns, and some older researchTrusted Source has suggested there’s scientific data to confirm this use. According to a 2009 studyTrusted Source, its antimicrobial activity might also help prevent infections after a burn.Lavender’s soothing powers might extend to healing wounded skin.
A review of 20 studies found that lavender oil increased the rate of wound healing, promoted the growth of collagen, and boosted the tissue remodeling process of the skin.
6. Helps Prevent Wrinkles
Lavender oil is a potent source of antioxidants and other beneficial phytochemicals, making it useful for battling signs of premature aging. Antioxidants fight free radical damage, which is caused by environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution.
Supplementing your skin care regimen with antioxidants is an easy way to help protect against wrinkles, fine lines, and dark age spots.
The benefits of lavender oil for skin are seemingly endless – making it one of the easiest ingredients to add to your routine.
Lavender is also useful for hair thus finds its application in Hair Care Products.
Hair loss
Topical use of lavender oil might help to treat a disease called alopecia aerata, which causes a person’s hair to fall out in patches.
According to an older 1998 studyTrusted Source of 86 people with alopecia areata, 44 percent experienced improved hair growth after massaging an essential oil blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood in a mixture of carrier oils into their scalp daily for seven months.
Potentially Promotes Hair Growth
An animal study from 2021 also found that lavender oil successfully stimulated hair growth within a 28-day timeframe.
In yet another study, lavender essential oil applied to the backs of mice once a day, five times a week, for four weeks, resulted in an increase in their number of hair follicles and a thicker dermal layer. This leads researchers to believe that lavender could potentially be used as a hair growth promoting agent, though more research is needed.
Everyday stresses can take a toll on your mental health. The greater your anxiety level, the higher the risk for headaches, depression, and low energy.
The good news is that lavender may help lift the black cloud hanging over your head and give your mental outlook a much-needed pick-me-up. There’s plenty of research that suggests lavender has positive effects on mood, stress, anxiety, and depression.
For example, a randomized controlled trial published in February 2018 in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that premenstrual syndrome symptoms improved in women who inhaled lavender essential oil. They experienced lower anxiety, depression, and nervousness. Likewise, another randomized controlled trial, published in October 2017 in the International Journal of Nursing Practices, found that reflexology massage treatments with lavender essential oil offered psychological benefits, decreasing both anxiety and depression.
Lavender is not only a stress busters, it is effective for Skin care and Hair care too, thereby making it wonder herb.
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