Lavender has been a staple ingredient in beauty products and traditional medicine for centuries. In addition to smelling wonderful, fragrant lavender oil also holds numerous medicinal properties and healing powers, due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits.
The soothing essential oil also has a plethora of beauty benefits for both skin and hair. It has extensive uses ranging from mending split ends, to healing distressed skin and repairing unwanted scars and marks, making it a must-have self-care addition to any beauty bag or bathroom cabinet.
Recent research conducted by the team at WeThrift revealed that over the last month, searches for lavender oil have increased by 97%. With this in mind, the beauty team has broken down the multiple benefits for your hair and skin below.
Stimulating hair growth
Hair thinning and hair loss can be caused by many different factors, including over-styling, genetics, hormones, medications and stress. The anti-microbial properties in lavendar can help create a cleaner scalp, which is essential for hair growth and be beneficial to alopecia. The chemical compounds within the oil can also ease inflammation and promote hair growth.
A study carried out in 2016 found that when lavender oil is applied to animals, it makes them grow more hair at a thicker and faster rate than normal. The oil can keep your scalp healthy, nourish hair follicles, fight breakage and split ends, keeping locks strong from root to tip.
Treats dandruff
Dandruff is a chronic condition that occurs when the scalp becomes dry, red, itchy, and produces dead skin cells. It can worsen during periods of stress, sickness and can even be triggered when the weather turns cold and dry.
Lavender oil’s natural antifungal and antiseptic properties can prevent bacteria and fungi from growing on your scalp. Combined with anti-inflammatory benefits, it can help soothe itchiness and dryness on your scalp and fight dandruff or common scalp infections.
For the most effective results, mix a few drops of lavender oil with coconut oil, massage into the scalp and hairline and then rinse.
Soothes eczema and dry skin
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that is characterised by itchiness, inflammation, swelling and cracked skin on your body. Whether the skin condition is mild or severe, it can cause itchy red patches on the skin that get more irritated when scratched. Since lavender has antifungal properties and can reduce inflammation, it helps to soothe eczema-prone skin.
Additionally, the antiseptic properties of lavender can help to speed up the headline process of burns and treat acne and eczema scars. To reap the benefits of lavender oil, gently massage directly onto the affected skin.
Helps prevent wrinkles
Lavender oil is renowned for its skin rejuvenating properties which can effectively delay the appearance of fine lines, age spots, wrinkles and sunspots when directly applied to the skin.
Lavender oil is rich in antioxidants which help stimulate the activity of your body’s natural antioxidant processes and help to tackle free radicals. The application of lavender oil can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth, under the eyes, forehead and chin, providing it with a more youthful appearance.
Detoxification and reduces acne
Lavender oil has properties that help to kill bacteria and this can prevent and heal acne breakouts and improve overall skin health. Acne typically forms when your skin doesn’t produce enough natural oil. Dry skin can be a result of low or depleted oil production, and can often lead to clogged pores and acne. Using lavender oil can gently moisturize the skin.
Additionally, lavender oil has natural antibacterial properties that can kill bacteria that can cause acne breakouts. To use the essential oil, dilute it with coconut oil or another carrier oil and apply a small amount directly to your skin after washing your face.
