What it is
Steam-distilled from lavender flowers, this essential oil has a soft floral-herbal scent and is used to fragrance products. It contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate.
Safety & warnings
Lavender oil contains fragrance allergens (such as linalool and limonene) that the EU requires to be labeled and can sensitize skin; the fragrance-sensitive may wish to avoid it.
Origin & sourcing
Essential oil distilled from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) flowers.
Questions everyone asks
Why is lavender oil in skincare?
It is used as a natural fragrance for its soft floral scent.
Can lavender oil irritate skin?
It contains fragrance allergens and can sensitize, so sensitive users may prefer to avoid it.