If you only own one essential oil, make it lavender. Its soft floral scent is calming, it blends with almost everything, and it is one of the most versatile oils in aromatherapy. In this guide you will learn what makes a good lavender oil, ten easy ways to bring it into your day, how much to use and how to use it safely.
What is lavender essential oil?
True lavender essential oil is steam-distilled from the flowering tops of Lavandula angustifolia, the plant you picture when you think of purple fields in Provence. It is not the same as lavandin, a hardier hybrid with a sharper, more camphor-like scent that is often used in cleaning products and cheaper blends.
Most of lavender's soft, sweet aroma comes from two natural compounds, linalool and linalyl acetate. Small studies suggest that breathing in lavender can help people feel more relaxed and may support better sleep quality. That is why it has become the classic evening oil.
How to choose a good lavender oil
- Check the Latin name. Look for Lavandula angustifolia (sometimes written Lavandula officinalis).
- 100% pure. The label should not mention fragrance, perfume or added oils.
- Dark glass bottle. Light and air damage essential oils, so a brown or blue glass bottle with a dropper cap is a good sign.
- Origin. Good producers tell you where the lavender was grown.
10 everyday ways to use lavender oil
1. Wind down before sleep
Add 3–5 drops to an aroma diffuser 30 minutes before bed and let the room fill gently with scent. Switch the diffuser off when you go to sleep. For a ready-made bedtime blend, try Sweet Dreams.
2. A pillow mist
Mix 5 drops of lavender oil with 50 ml of lavender floral water in a spray bottle. Shake well and mist your pillow lightly from about 30 cm away a few minutes before bed, so the fabric has time to dry.
3. A relaxing bath
Essential oils do not mix with water and can irritate the skin if they float on the surface. Blend 5 drops with a handful of bath salts or a tablespoon of carrier oil first, then add it to the bath. Soak for 15–20 minutes.
4. A calming massage oil
5 drops in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of sweet almond oil makes a gentle body massage oil. Warm it between your hands first – it is lovely after a bath, when the skin is still slightly damp.
5. Soothe your temples after a long day
Dilute 1 drop in a teaspoon of carrier oil and massage it slowly into your temples and the back of your neck. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for a minute.
6. Freshen your home
Add a few drops to a diffuser, or to a cotton pad tucked into your wardrobe, drawers or shoe cupboard. Refresh it every week or two.
7. A natural linen spray
Fill a spray bottle with 100 ml of water, a teaspoon of vodka or witch hazel to help the oil disperse, and 10 drops of lavender oil. Shake well before every use and spray lightly on bed linen, curtains or the sofa. Test on a hidden spot first.
8. Boost your skincare
Lavender floral water – the gentle water left after distilling lavender – is lovely as a daily toner for dry or irritated skin. It is much milder than the essential oil and needs no dilution. Mist it on after cleansing, before your moisturiser.
9. Keep moths away
Lavender has long been used to protect clothes. Put a few drops on cotton balls or small wooden blocks and place them among woollens. Refresh them every few weeks, when the scent fades.
10. Create a mindful moment
Put one drop on a tissue, close your eyes and take three slow breaths – in for four counts, out for six. A 30-second reset during a busy day.
How much to use: a quick guide
| Use | Lavender oil | Mix with |
|---|---|---|
| Diffuser | 3–5 drops | water, as the diffuser instructions say |
| Body massage oil | 5 drops | 30 ml carrier oil |
| Face or temples | 1 drop | 1 teaspoon (5 ml) carrier oil |
| Bath | 5 drops | a handful of bath salts or 1 tbsp carrier oil |
| Room or linen spray | 10 drops | 100 ml water |
How to store lavender oil
Keep the bottle tightly closed, upright and away from light and heat – a cupboard is better than a sunny windowsill. Stored well, lavender oil keeps its scent for around two to three years. If it starts to smell sharp or different, it is time to replace it.
Safety first
- Always dilute before applying to skin – around 1–2% (1–2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil) for adults.
- Patch test on the inside of your arm before first use.
- Keep out of reach of children and away from eyes.
- Be careful with pets, especially cats, which are very sensitive to essential oils. Do not diffuse in a closed room where a pet cannot leave.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a medical condition, ask your doctor before use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put lavender oil directly on my skin? It is better not to. Even gentle oils can irritate when used neat, so always dilute.
Is lavender oil the same as lavender floral water? No. The essential oil is highly concentrated; the floral water (hydrolat) is very mild and can be used straight on the skin.
Can I use lavender oil around children? For young children use a floral water or a very weak diffuser blend, and ask a professional before applying oils to their skin.
Which oils blend well with lavender? Bergamot, sweet orange, chamomile, cedarwood and rosemary all pair beautifully with lavender.
Discover our 100% pure French lavender essential oil – and our full range of aromatherapy products.
