What it is
Lavandula angustifolia flower water is the water-based fraction obtained when lavender flowers are steam-distilled, carrying small amounts of the plant's aromatic compounds. In sunscreens it is used as a gentle skin-conditioning ingredient and as a natural-character fragrance component with a recognizable lavender scent. Being a hydrosol, it is far less concentrated in volatile compounds than lavender essential oil.
Safety & warnings
Generally mild, but it carries aromatic constituents of lavender such as linalool and linalyl acetate; linalool and its oxidation products are recognized fragrance allergens, so the ingredient may pose a sensitivity risk for fragrance-reactive skin.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; produced as the aqueous distillate during steam distillation of Lavandula angustifolia flowers.
Questions everyone asks
Is lavender flower water the same as lavender oil?
No. Flower water is the dilute aromatic water left from distillation, while lavender essential oil is the concentrated volatile fraction; the water is much gentler and lighter in scent.
Can lavender flower water cause sensitivity?
It can in some people, because it carries lavender aroma compounds such as linalool that are recognized fragrance allergens, particularly relevant for fragrance-sensitive skin.