Lavender Skin Care Benefits

There is so much more to lavender than meets the nose. You either love it or you hate it and for others they love it so much they actually eat it. For me I love lavender for its skin care and aromatic benefits. Its distinct fragrance has an immediate calming effect on my being and I am fortunate enough to forage in my herb garden for lavender quite often!

Lavender skin care benefits are bountiful and we will be looking a little more closely now at this purple wonder.

Lavender Oil

This essential oil which stems from the lavender plant can be ingested or diffused or applied directly to your skin. It has numerous benefits such as:

• Prevents and treats acne – antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties assists with clearing the skin.
• Soothes eczema and other dry skin conditions- the anti fungal properties reduces inflamed dry skin.
• Reduce wrinkles – filled with anti-oxidants it vanquishes free radicals that plays a role in aging.
• Anti -inflammatory – helps sooth & numb the skin when experiencing any pain due to burns and other inflammation.
• Promotes wound healing- anti fungal and antibacterial agents assists with insect bites/ cuts and abrasions to heal.
• Lightens skin – helps with lightening up scars and dark spots and reduces redness and blotchy skin.

Side Effects

When using any essential oil there will always be a few of us who don’t quite react favorably. A rash could develop even though we are not allergic to lavender. It would be wise to first test a small area on skin like inside of arm before using all over. Normally, if you have sensitive skin it is recommended to avoid oils containing fragrances. Seek medical advice if you are unsure and a newbie to lavender.

How to use

You can blend lavender oil with other carrier oils depending on what skin condition you wish to treat or you can apply on its own directly to your skin using a cotton ball. As mentioned you can use it to treat acne/ dry skin / damaged / wrinkled and scarred skin.

• • The best way for acne treatment is to combine with coconut oil and then apply to your face after you have cleansed. This mixture will also help you to reduce fine lines and wrinkles if used daily.
  • You can use lavender hydrosol as a toner and combine with witch hazel which has significantly calming effect on inflamed skin and reduces redness instantly. 
  • For eczema try to mix a few drops with same amount of tea tree oil and add it to your coconut oil as your daily moisturizer.
  • If you have a sunburn, a lavender oil spray can help. In a spray bottle, combine a quarter cup of aloe vera juice, 2 tablespoons of purified water, 10 drops of lavender oil and coconut oil. Shake the bottle and spray onto your sunburn at least twice a day until the sunburn heals.
  • For insect bites it works well to apply it in the coconut oil formula used for acne but then add peppermint or mint oil to reduce pain if you feel stinging from the bite.
  • To repel insects its as easy as mixing it up with water about 5 drops to a half a cup of water and spray on yourself and clothes / linen etc to keep the pests at bay.

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Foragers

Nothing is more satisfying than walking through the aisles of nature, scooping up the goodness with your bare hands to whip up these natural healers into action. Like I said I am fortunate enough to do this quite often and with lavender I had to make sure I was using the best parts for my body oils and diffusers.

How to harvest

Please visit this link to see how easy it is to harvest, dry and store your own lavender.
Here are easy and enjoyable ways to make your own lavender products:

Home brewed Lavender oil

 

 

To make it, fill a glass jar about half-way up with dried lavender flowers. Cover with about twice as much as your favorite carrier oil, or to the top of the jar. (Suggested oils include sunflower, olive, sweet almond, coconut and jojoba).

 

Set the uncovered jar down into a small saucepan filled with a few inches of water. Heat over a low burner for a few hours, keeping a close eye that the water doesn’t evaporate out. Remove from heat and strain.

To infuse more slowly close the jar of lavender and oil and store out of light for 6 weeks, shaking occasionally. When the infusing time has passed, strain.

You could also place the jar of flowers and oil in a sunny windowsill for several days to a week to jump start the infusion. (Don’t store for long periods in sunlight though, as it tends to fade flowers and herbs over time?.

Lavender Tincture

 

Measure out 1 part dried herb to 5 parts alcohol. Add dried lavender to a jar, then pour vodka or other high proof alcohol over top. Dried herbs expand, so you’ll need to make sure to allow room for that. Cap, shake and store in a cool dark place for four to six weeks before straining. If you use fresh lavender buds then switch your ratio for alcohol to double that of lavender. The tincture you can use as short drink (30 drops in a 1/2 cup of water) to treat skin sores and infections. Or you can drop under your tongue or in your food and drink if you prefer.

Shelf life of lavender tincture is at least one year, but will probably stay useful much longer than that.

Store out of direct sunlight and high heat.

Lavender Bath Salts

Soaking in warm lavender salt bath at least once a week will hydrate your skin and reduce inflammation. If you suffer from any dry skin disorders then please consider using this bath salt as it has been proven to help when you soak regularly.

Ingredients needed:

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup sea salt (or more Epsom salt)
• 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
• a few drops of lavender essential oil.

To make lavender bath salts:

Combine and store in a tightly closed glass jar.

To use, pour the bath salts into a cotton muslin bag or an old clean sock. Tie up tightly and toss in the tub as it fills with warm water.

You can use this once off or do it over two soaks, depending on how much you love lavender! These bath salts will stay fresh for 6 months , or until the beautiful purple begins to fade.

Did you know that in your cooking you can substitute rosemary with lavender leaves…. go ahead and try it when you make your next roasted potatoes you will thank me later 🙂

 

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Final Verdict

 

There are more Lavender skincare benefits than meets the nose and so many ways to make yours in the home lab.

You can also check out these amazing lavender infused natural products online if you feel time is against you and you would like to soak up the purple goodness today 🙂

Feel free to stop by and let me know your thoughts on lavender. Do you  love it or hate it?

Janine

Real Skin Angel

Love Your Skin Naturally!