8 Scientific Benefits of Lavender Oil

I have this stubborn, sensitive patch.

Put some lavender oil on it.

My skin has breakouts; put lavender on them.

I’m feeling super stressed at the moment.

Yep, you guessed it, inhale some lavender.

Whilst they may not be handing out Nobel prizes to aromatherapists anytime soon.

That doesn’t mean there haven’t been some majorly exciting studies on lavender.

So let’s dive straight in and look at the skin-loving benefits of lavender oil:

Benefits of Lavender oil

Benefit 1: Protects Against UV Radiation

UV generates free radicals, and our body produces protective antioxidant enzymes. However, these decrease with age, making skin more vulnerable to oxidative stress.

A study (1) in Japan examined the benefits of lavender essential oil and found that it inhibited singlet oxygen generation, which causes damage in response to UVA and UVB radiation (Sakurai et al., 2005).

Linalool is a principal constituent of the essential oil lavender and has shown good in-vitro activity against basal cell carcinoma (2) (Cherng et al., 2007).

Another study found that a 10% dilution of linalool helped reduce skin tumour incidence in mice by 33% (Gould et al. 1987).

This emerging research suggests that regular use of lavender oil may potentially mitigate the ageing effects of UV on the skin.

Benefit 2: Aids in the Treatment of Eczema

Eczema is undoubtedly a debilitating skin condition.

Studies (3) have found that high-grade lavender oil can help relieve itching and reduce eczema symptoms, accelerating skin healing.

Benefit 3: A Potent Anti-ageing Antioxidant

Lavender oil also contains powerful antioxidants that can fight against harmful free radicals on your skin.

Research (4) has found that a 10% dilution of linalool significantly reduced the incidence of skin tumours in mice by 33%.

Several assays (5) (Yang et al., 2010) have found that Lavender oil is a powerful anti-ageing antioxidant, preventing premature ageing, sun damage, and even skin cancer.  

Benefit 4: Protective Against MRSA

Lavender oil can help prevent MRSA. (Edwards-Jones et al. 2004) (6).

Studies have found that lavender oil can also help to treat conditions like ringworm and athlete’s foot, and it can help clear up viral infections such as cold sores and warts.

Benefit 5: Lavender Reduces Acne Breakouts

Its potent antiviral and antibacterial properties are excellent and treat breakouts and acne.

Benefit 6: Heals Burns

Lavender oil is best known for its use in treating burns and preventing infection.

Benefit 7. It Heals Scars

The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of lavender oil are ideal for wound healing and treating scars.

If you are concerned about your scars, this article is a great resource.

Benefit 8. Analgesic Properties Calms and Soothes

Lavender oil has a profoundly calming and soothing effect on the nervous system. It is often referred to for its ability to alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

To Conclude. The naked truth

Lavender oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils.

For centuries, essential oils have been a multipurpose pillar of plant-based medicine and aromatherapy. So, it is little wonder that this essential oil has such excellent research behind it.

It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial, making it highly beneficial when treating skin conditions.

We recently published an article on lavender essential oil, in which, along with aromatherapist Holly, we debunked the controversy surrounding it.

Become your label detective when checking for purity; look for a supplier who deals directly with a reputable distiller or distils lavender oil themselves.

You may also want to ensure that they use mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography to analyse the quality of their product.