How to Use Lavender Oil for Skin Care, Hair Growth, Stress Relief, and More
One of the most popular essential oils for beginners in aromatherapy, lavender oil is known for its calming properties and numerous benefits for hair care, skincare. Here we are going to learn how to use lavender oil and recipes for hair care, skincare, health benefits, and home improvements using lavender oil.
Lavender has been used for centuries across civilizations, especially in the Mediterranean region. It was cultivated by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for its fine floral, refreshing fragrance, versatile therapeutic actions, and multi-purpose usefulness. The Romans used it in baths, beds, clothes, and hair.
7 Ways to Use Lavender Essential Oil
Before we discuss lavender oil recipes for hair care, skincare, health, and home, let’s understand some easy and common ways to use lavender oil for its benefits.
Diffuser
Using lavender essential oil in a diffuser is one of the best ways to not only receive its therapeutic benefits and but also freshen the room. For best effects, follow the prescribed direction of use for diffusers. Remember to keep the diffuser away from kids and pets, as high doses can be harmful to them.
Inhalation
Add a few drops of lavender oil onto a tissue or a cotton ball and then allow it to evaporate in the air. In case you prefer a milder intensity dose, keep the tissue or ball closer to you. You may sniff the cotton ball or tissue if you want an intense dose. Use it while meditating or working at your desk.
Spray
Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a water-based solution (around 10 drops in 100 ml) to spray around the house. The blend will help to deodorize and freshen the air. Don’t forget to shake the solution well before each spray.
Steam
Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a bowl of hot and steaming water. Cover head and the bowl of water with a towel, and then breathe in the steam deeply. When using this method, it is important to keep the eyes closed. However, this method should not be used in the case of children younger than 7 years old. Those older than the age of 7 can wear swimming goggles to protect their eyes from the steam.
Bath
Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a few tablespoons of full cream milk or any other dispersant. Add this blend to the bath water. This method is used for inhalation of the oil as well as absorption through the skin.
Alternatively, to disperse the essential oils in a better way, use bath salts or make a relaxing bath base. Add 1 part baking soda, 3 parts sea salt and 2 parts Epsom salts to make the bath base. Add this blend to bath water after pouring 6 drops of lavender oil into 2 tablespoons of the bath base. This procedure helps in relieving stress and aching muscles.
Topically
Lavender is one of the very few essential oils that can be applied directly over small patches of the skin. However, it is best to dilute the oil with carrier oils like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil before applying topically. The concentration of the blended oils is kept at a maximum of 3–5%. For more details on dilution, please refer our safety and dilution guide.
Add drops of lavender oil to a teaspoon of carrier oil and then gently rub onto the skin. Massaging this way is helpful for minor cuts and burns and to relieve joint or muscle pain or for conditions like acne. Massage blends should not exceed a concentration of 1% for adults.
Compress
Use lavender oil as a compress by adding a few drops of it in carrier oil and adding this solution to a dressing, which can then be placed on sprains, stiff joints, or muscle injuries. Alternatively, soak a cloth or a towel in a bowl of water containing a few drops of lavender essential oil and apply it directly over the affected part of the body.
How to Use Lavender Oil for Hair Care
Hair growth, hair thickening, and dandruff control are just a few of the benefits of lavender oil for hair. Here are some common lavender oil recipes for hair care.
Scalp Massage:
The best way to get lavender oil’s hair growth benefits is to massage diluted lavender essential oil onto the scalp. After a bath or shower, massage on scalp with a blend of lavender oil and carrier oil of your choice and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before washing it off.
For added benefits like calming fragrance and to treat dandruff, wrap hair in a towel and leave on the massage blend overnight. This also has the effect of healing your scalp, so you can massage this oil once a day or once a week, as per convenience
Hair Products Add-on:
Another recipe to get the hair thickening and growth benefits of lavender oil is to add lavender oil to hair products like conditioner or shampoo. Add 2–3 drops of lavender oil to a dollop of hair care products before applying on hair. Do this every time you decide to use hair products.
Shampoo:
Mix ¼ cup each of liquid castile soap and coconut milk and 20 drops of lavender in a shampoo bottle. If you have dry hair, you can add ½ teaspoon almond or olive oil. Shake well before each use. Use a teaspoon of homemade shampoo for hair wash and rinse hair with a blend of water and apple cider vinegar to make your hair shine and cleaner. Use the shampoo within a month.
Hair Mask:
A lavender hair mask once a week not only gives you all the hair care benefits but also prevents hair breakage. Mix 1–2 tablespoons of argan oil with 3–5 drops each of lavender, rosemary and tea tree essential oils. Rub this mixture onto the damaged areas of the scalp and on dry hair. Rinse after at least an hour. Make sure the oil is out of your hair by rinsing it off with your shampoo twice.
Hair Serum:
Add 2 teaspoons of Jamaican black castor oil and 1 ounce each of jojoba and grapeseed oils into a 4-ounce glass dropper bottle. Next, add 7 drops each of the essential oils of lavender, thyme, cedarwood, and rosemary, and then shake the bottle well. Massage with this homemade hair serum onto your scalp one or two hours before showering for hair growth. Store the serum in a dry, cool area.
How to Use Lavender Oil for Skin Care
One of the best essential oils for skin care, lavender oil can naturally clean the skin, prevent acne, reduce skin inflammation and rejuvenate skin. Here are few common lavender oil recipes for skin care.
Lip Balm:
Melt 1 tablespoon each of beeswax and coconut oil and 2 tablespoons of shea butter in a pot over low to medium heat. Add 7 drops each of lavender and peppermint essential oils to the mix after removing from heat. Pour it quickly into a jar and let it cool. Rub this balm onto dry and cracked lips. This mixture may also be applied to sunburns over other parts of the skin to prevent itchiness.
Acne Marks:
You can effectively use lavender essential oil for acne scars and acne marks. Dilute 1 spoon honey with 1 spoon of water in a container, and then add 5 drops of lavender oil to this solution. Once you mix it well, apply this blend over the parts of the skin affected by acne and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Wash this lavender oil-honey pack off with a lot of water.
Natural Retinol Cream:
Retinol cream is used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and maintain skin elasticity, among other skincare benefits. To make retinol cream, add 10 drops of carrot seed oil and 1 tablespoon rosehip seed oil into a small glass cup. Place the cup in a pan filled with 2 inches of water and heat the mixture after placing the pan on the stove.
Add 1 tablespoon each of almond and apricot oils, ¼ teaspoon green tea extract, a teaspoon of shea butter, a drop of lemon essential oil, and 10 drops each of lavender and frankincense essential oils into the cup. Mix well, then remove the pan from the heat and allow the blend to cool. Keep it in a glass container once it gets cooled. Apply it in small amounts to clean and dry skin before bed.
Face Moisturizer:
Moisturizing the face daily is necessary to make skin look and feel younger. Mix 1 ounce of shea butter and 3 ounces of argan oil in a bowl. Melt the mixture over low-medium heat in a pan filled with water. Add in 1-ounce carrot seed oil, 10 drops of lavender oil, 6 drops of chamomile oil, and 5 drops of lemongrass oil and mix well. Apply this homemade face moisturizer to a clean face twice a day.
Exfoliating Foot Scrub:
In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1½ cup of sea salt, and mix well. Pour in 8 drops each of lavender and tea tree oil, and 5 drops of peppermint oil, and blend all the ingredients. Preserve this mixture in a cool, dry place like a refrigerator. Pour a small amount of this blend onto your palm and scrub it over your feet, ankles, and even calves. Leave it on for 10–15 minutes, then rinse with warm water to get a refreshing feeling.
Cuticle Cream:
Cuticle cream is used to moisturize and soften the cuticles. Mix 1 tablespoon beeswax, ½ teaspoon coconut oil, and 1½ tablespoons of raw shea butter in a mason jar and melt the mixture over low-medium heat in a pan filled with water.
After removing the pan from the heat, add 8 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 drops each of Vitamin E oil and the essential oils of lemon and myrrh. Allow this blend to cool to room temperature. Massage a small amount of this cream onto and around the cuticle region, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
How to Use Lavender Oil for Health Benefits
Lavender oil health benefits include treating anxiety and depression, nausea, pain, headaches, stomach discomfort, and various other ailments. You can use the following lavender oil recipes for improving your health.
Pain reliever:
Swirl around 2–4 drops of lavender oil in a bowl of warm water and soak a cloth in this. After gently squeezing the soaked cloth, apply it over the aching and paining parts of the body. If you suffer from recent muscle injuries or even from sprains, replace the warm water with cold water and follow the same procedure. A 2016 study found that aromatherapy massage using lavender oil can reduce pain in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.
Sleep Aid:
In a 4-oz glass spray bottle, add 20 drops of lavender oil, 5 drops of orange oil, and 2 teaspoons of Epsom salt. Fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water. Sprinkle this mixture on your pillows and bedding to help you easily fall asleep.
Alternatively, apply 2–3 drops of lavender oil behind the ears or under the soles of feet. This is the best way to sleep with lavender oil in your bedroom.
Anxiety Reducer:
Soothe anxieties and fears by pouring a few drops of lavender oil onto palms, cupping hands, and then inhaling it deeply. Breathe in slowly through the nose and breathe out through the mouth.
Alternatively, alleviate tension by diluting the lavender essential oil with a carrier oil in a 1% concentration and massaging the neck, back, and shoulders.
Sore Throat:
Add 4 drops of lavender essential oil into a glass of warm water and mix well. Use this to gargle for at least 30 seconds, and then spit out the solution. Do this 2–3 times every day till the sore throat gets well.
How to Use Lavender Oil for Home
There are several ways to use lavender oil in your home, in the form of laundry rinse, ironing aid, linen spray, yoga mat spray, gym equipment cleaner, and many more. A few common recipes are listed below to make a home more beautiful.
Carpet Deodorizer:
Mix 30 drops of lavender essential oil with 2 cups of baking soda in a mason jar, remove the lid, and cover the mouth of the jar with construction paper. Poke a few holes in the paper and apply sparingly over the carpets. You may also use a salt shaker for this. Wait for 1–2 hours after applying to vacuum thoroughly.
Air Freshener:
Freshen up the air in your home or in your office with a non-toxic homemade air freshener. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 5–6 drops of lavender oil in a spray bottle. Fill the remaining part of the bottle with 1½ cup of distilled water and shake well to dissolve the baking soda. Use this air freshener in all the rooms and closed spaces like a closet in your house to get a fresh, clean scent.
Dish Soap:
In a bowl, stir together ¼ cup soap flakes and 4 tablespoons of washing soda. Pour 4 ounces of boiled water into the bowl, and then add in 30 drops each of the essential oils of lavender and lemon with a cup of castile soap. Mix it all well and let it cool. Pour the cooled mixture into a glass bottle fitted with a pump and use this dish soap to wash dishes normally.
Mattress Refresher:
Add 10 drops each of lavender and tea tree essential oils to 1 cup distilled water and 1 cup white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray this blend over the mattress and let it dry before making the bed.
Lavender Essential Oil Safety Precautions
Always follow essential oil safety and dilution guidelines while using essential oils. Generally, this oil is considered safe for skin even if applied directly without diluting it in a carrier oil, but to be on the safe side, always use diluted lavender oil.
Consult your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or being treated for other health challenges. Keep out of the reach of children.
The lavender essential oil can be used in innumerable ways for skin, body, hair, home, and general health purpose.
