Known since antiquity, lavender is characterised by its pleasant scent. The Romans used it to infuse their linen and baths with a floral fragrance. Today, this plant is incorporated into various skincare products due to its numerous benefits for the skin. The flowers of true lavender provide an essential oil with soothing, disinfecting, and purifying virtues... Discover in more detail all the properties of this botanical extract.
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What are the benefits of true lavender essential oil for the skin?
Summary
- What is true lavender?
- The essential oil of true lavender is soothing
- The essential oil of true lavender has anti-inflammatory properties
- The essential oil of true lavender has antibacterial properties
- The essential oil of true lavender has a purifying effect
- The essential oil of true lavender is believed to have regenerative properties
- Sources
Published February 10, 2023,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
6 min read
What is true lavender?
Also known as fine lavender, true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a botanical species different from spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), and belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is cultivated in Provence and Spain, and takes the form of a shrub with long stems bearing mauve inflorescences, emitting a pleasant fragrance. The essential oil of true lavender is the result of a steam distillation process, using the dried flowering tops of the plant.
From an organoleptic perspective, it is a clear yellow to orange liquid, emitting a floral and herbaceous fragrance. The lavender extract primarily contains esters (approximately 30% linalyl acetate), monoterpenols (linalool) and monoterpenes (terpinene, limonene). These compounds are responsible for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and purifying properties.
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The essential oil of true lavender is soothing.
The essential oil derived from the flowering tops of true lavender is renowned for its analgesic and soothing properties. Linalool, belonging to the family of monoterpenic alcohols, and linalyl acetate, part of the terpene family, both contribute to the composition of true lavender essential oil. They are capable of inhibiting certain nociceptors, receptors responsible for transmitting pain within the body.
This essential oil can also be used to alleviate itching, sunburn or even the burning sensation after shaving. Its power soothing properties make it particularly suitable for sensitive or irritated skin. It is also recommended in the case of insect bites or for repelling mosquitoes.
The essential oil of true lavender has anti-inflammatory properties.
The linalool and linalyl acetate found in true lavender essential oil promote the synthesis of HSP70 proteins (Heat Shock Protein). These proteins ensure the correct conformation of proteins found in the body's cells and help them to protect themselves from external stresses (heat, heavy metals...), potentially causing inflammatory phenomena. By contributing to the inhibition of these reactions, true lavender essential oil thus has a anti-inflammatory action. This is why it is found in certain skincare products to soothe redness, irritations or more generally feelings of discomfort.
The essential oil of true lavender has antibacterial properties.
The use of this essential oil is also recommended for skin prone to blemishes or acne. The active ingredients it contains (linalool, 1,8-cineole and terpenes) work in synergy to limit the proliferation of parasites, such as Leishmania amazonensis, responsible for leishmaniasis, and bacteria, like Cutibacterium acnes, involved in the mechanism of acne.
They act by altering the external membranes of bacteria and inhibiting their ability to communicate with each other via molecular mediators (quorum sensing). The antibacterial action of true lavender essential oil thus helps to prevent or soothe skin eruptions.
The essential oil of true lavender has a purifying effect.
The extract of true lavender is also a friend to oily and shiny skin. Indeed, it helps to eliminate imperfections by purifying the skin and making it matte. The biochemical composition of true lavender essential oil gives it an absorbent action on sebum and regenerative for the skin. A decrease in the sebum rate has been particularly observed during the combined use of true lavender essential oils, of tea tree and eucalyptus. These various properties make true lavender essential oil a choice ingredient that can be found in the composition of several creams, scrubs or shampoos.
The essential oil of true lavender is believed to have regenerative properties.
It is said that true lavender essential oil accelerates the healing of the skin and contributes to tissue regeneration due to the camphor included in its composition. This active ingredient would work by improving blood circulation and activating collagen synthesis. Tired or dry skin would also benefit from its regenerative virtues.
Further studies suggest that the topical application of true lavender essential oil promotes the proliferation of fibroblasts to produce a healing tissue rich in collagen. However, this mechanism remains controversial for the time being.
Sources
MORETTI M. D. & co. Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils. Phytomedicine (2002).
WILKINSON J. M. & co. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research: PTR (2002).
VILJOEN A. M. & co. Linalool – a review of a biologically active compound of commercial significance. Natural Product Communications (2008).
ALTMAN P. M. & co. An ex vivo, assessor blind, randomised, parallel group, comparative efficacy trial of the ovicidal activity of three pediculicides after a single application - melaleuca oil and lavender oil, eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil, and a "suffocation" pediculicide. BMC Dermatology (2011).
LIM S. H. & al. Membrane disruption and anti-quorum sensing effects of synergistic interaction between Lavandula angustifolia (lavender oil) in combination with antibiotics against plasmid-conferred multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli. Journal of Applied Microbiology (2014).
DE OLIVEIRA J. R. & co. Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil. Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (2015).
WYSONG A. & al. The effects of lavender essential oil on wound healing: a review of the current evidence. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2020).
LADERMANN J. & al. Safety and efficacy of combined essential oils for the skin barrier properties: in vitro, ex vivo and clinical studies. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2022).
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