Lavender Oil

Probably the most widely used oil in aromatherapy, it is known for its soothing and relaxing properties. Lavender oil is composed of linalyl acetate 51% linalool 35%.⠀
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SKIN BENEFITS:⠀
Wound healing⠀

Acne scars⠀

Reduces the appearance of blemishes and scars⠀

Promoting radiant and smooth skin⠀

Balances hormone levels when promoting better skin health. ⠀

Lavender oil is found to be moderately active in killing acne-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes). ⠀

Its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce redness, pain and swelling caused by acne on the skin. It also reduces the appearance of acne. ⠀

Its antioxidant properties are especially important in the treatment and prevention of acne as it helps to fight free radical damage, repair and heal damaged skin cells to foster the regeneration of new and healthy skin.⠀
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A cheery fact: Kashmir Lavender oil is famous for being produced from Lavender at the foothills of the Himalayas 😊⠀
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STUDIES: ⠀
Topical application of lavender oil has the potential to promote wound healing in early phase by accelerating the formation of granulation tissue, promoting collagen synthesis and wound contraction. (Mori et al, 2016)⠀
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Research has found that stress and acne are linked. A study confirmed that emotional stress was directly responsible for increasing the severity of acne lesions. (G Yosipovitch, ‎2007) Lavender oil helps by relieving stress when inhaled, hence reducing the chances of stress-causing acne. ⠀
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The most often cited study when looking at this key ingredient is that Lavender is shown to be cytotoxic to human skin cells at a concentration of 0.25% (Prashar A et al, 2004). Resulting in cellular damage.⠀
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Another study of Lavender oil being combined with tea tree oil has been linked to the risk of skin cancer in prepubertal boys (Derick et al, 2007)⠀
When Lavender + Tea tree oil were used topically, they increased hormonal activity, androgenic and estrogenic activity. The study concluded, “lavender oil and tea tree oil possess weak estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities that may contribute to an imbalance in estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities that may contribute to an imbalance in estrogen and androgen pathway signalling”. Also, high concentrations of lavender essential oil were toxic to the cells tested. Henley & Korach 2010 also described it to be an endocrine disruptor. Since then, the Aromatherapy industry has hit back with its own blog posts and studies which showed no evidence of estrogenic activity (tests were conducted on female rats) (Politano et all 2010). My answer to this is that there is no definitive answer.

Caution:
Potential Irritant

Potential Allergenic

Risk of increasing Photosensitivity

Risk of Cellular Damage

MY EXPERIENCE:
In testing Lavender oil for acne, I decided to try Skin Owl lavender beauty drops since it had rave reviews on Cult Beauty.

I followed the suggested application, about 5 drops (am) and 7-10 drops (pm) in place of my serum. Apart from my upper lip tingling, I did not notice any other sensitivity upon application.

Results: It miraculously calmed the 2 throbbing red bumps on my cheekbone. It seemed to work well for moisturising and helping to clear my skin. This is not an oil I would have reached out for when testing spots (since I already have a few favs). Yet, it worked for the 2-3 weeks when I used it last year. The results would probably work well on moderate to occasional pimples.

Price: £24 for 30ml