What it is
Lavandula Hybrida Oil is distilled from lavandin, a hybrid of true lavender and spike lavender, and is valued for its characteristic herbaceous-floral aroma. It is used at low levels to scent products and mask the base odor of other ingredients. It has no UV-protective role.
Safety & warnings
As a fragrant essential oil it contains linalool and limonene, both labeled fragrance allergens in the EU that can oxidize and cause sensitization in susceptible individuals. It may also contain camphor. Fragrance-sensitive or eczema-prone users should approach with care and consider patch testing.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; steam-distilled from the flowering tops of lavandin (Lavandula x hybrida), a sterile cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia, cultivated widely in southern France and elsewhere.
History
Lavandin is cultivated as a higher-yielding alternative to true lavender, and its oil has become a common perfumery and cosmetic fragrance material.
Questions everyone asks
How is lavandin oil different from lavender oil?
Lavandin comes from a hybrid plant and is typically higher-yielding, with a sharper, more camphoraceous scent than true lavender oil.
Is it an allergen concern?
It contains linalool and limonene, which are labeled fragrance allergens that can sensitize some people, so caution is advised for fragrance-sensitive skin.