Are There Contraindications or Side Effects to the Use of Lavender Essential Oil?

True lavender essential oil is a must in aromatherapy and has the advantage of being very gentle. It is suitable for all skin types and is not irritating or photosensitizing. Moreover, this botanical extract is not currently listed as a known endocrine disruptor and is not considered a SVHC (Substance of Very High Concern) by the European REACH Regulation.

To avoid side effects, the use of lavender extract on skin is however not recommended by precautionary principle to the following people:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

• Children under three years old.

True lavender essential oil contains potentially allergenic biochemical compounds such as linalool, geraniol, limonene, and coumarin. It is therefore recommended to perform a tolerance test before incorporating it into a care product.

To test True Lavender essential oil,

apply two drops to the hollow of your elbow 

and wait at least 24 hours. 

If no adverse reaction is observed, 

you can use it on the skin or scalp.

Using too much Lavandula angustifolia essential oil can cause side effects, so it is preferable to apply it in small quantities to avoid any risk of overdosing. It is also advised to dilute it for sensitive skins: 20% of essential oil in 80% of vegetable oil. In addition, like all essential oils, that of true lavender should not be applied to mucous membranes, nor to the eye area.

As regards the conditions of storage, keep the bottle at room temperature, strong heats being able to cause the evaporation of oil. It is also recommended to keep the essential oil away from light, as the latter is likely to deteriorate it. Finally, it is necessary to keep the lavender extract in a hermetically sealed bottle to prevent it from oxidizing in contact with the air and to respect the expiration date indicated on the bottle. Its oxidation can lead to a deterioration of its active ingredients and a loss of their effectiveness.