Two years ago, we took a family trip to the Pacific Northwest. During the summer, the weather in this part of the country can be cool and overcast. So it’s easy to forget to wear sun protection.
My skin doesn’t burn easily. But I stayed outside most of the day, neglecting to wear sunscreen. When we returned to our hotel that evening, I noticed my nose and cheeks were red.
Lavender Oil for Sunburn
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Although this wasn’t a bad burn, I decided to help the healing process by using lavender essential oil on my face.
This aromatic oil has garnered a reputation as being able to quickly heal damaged skin, after a famous French chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse accidentally burned his hands. This accident happened in the early 1900’s. The burns, apparently, were very severe. Fortunately, as a scientist, he had a good working knowledge of aromatherapy, so he knew what to do. He plunged his hands into lavender oil. According to various other published reports, his damaged skin healed fast and scarring was minimal.
Anyway, after applying lavender oil to my face, the redness quickly disappeared. I was amazed at how quickly this happened. This is one of the reasons I always want to have lavender essential oil in my natural medicine chest.
Lavender Oil For Your Face
If you plan to use lavender oil for sunburned skin, the best advice I can give is not to get a sunburn in the first place. You can find some excellent natural sunscreens without chemicals, especially if you look online. One of the reasons I burned my face is because I don’t use regular drugstore sunscreens, because it’s becoming increasingly clear that some of the ingredients used to make these products are potentially carcinogenic.
However, if you do accidentally get burned by the sun, lavender essential oil is a natural remedy to consider. This aromatic has a soothing, healing quality. It’s believed to contain compounds that help regenerate the skin.
On his website, noted essential oil expert Robert Tisserand explains that we now have scientific studies showing that aromatic lavender has been shown to be able to help heal ulcerated skin, as well as hasten the healing of episiotomy wounds in women who’d just given birth.
Where To Buy Pure Lavender Essential Oil
Here is my favorite brand of lavender oil. It’s made by Plant Therapy, a family-run enterprise based in Idaho. I totally trust this company, and the products it sells. Its essential oils are tested twice. One test is done by a third-party lab. This company also works with Robert Tisserand, cited above, on its line of KidSafe essential oils. (Some aromatics should not be used on young children.)
KidSafe Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Oil For Wrinkles
A growing number of women, myself included, use lavender essential oil and other aromatics as part of our natural beauty regimens. Years ago, I got rid of all of my chemical-based moisturizers and traded them in for plant-based products. I’ve never been happier with how my skin looks. Gone is that blotchy redness and dryness I used to have, especially around my mouth. I’ll never put chemicals on my skin again, because natural cosmetics seem to work so much better.
Lavender oil is considered good for wrinkles. I’m not aware of any scientific studies showing this aromatic can erase the visible signs of aging. But it is found in a growing number of all natural moisturizers and night creams.
This aromatic is definitely a part of my own beauty regimen. First, I put it in a protective carrier oil before applying it to my skin. I rotate it with other aromatics, such as palmarosa essential oil, which are also considered good for your complexion.
Lavender Oil For Bug Bites
I don’t want to leave you with the mistaken impression that I’m advocating lavender essential oil for bee stings if you’re allergic to bees. This is a serious situation that requires immediate medical attention. However, I did have success myself one summer, when I was stung by a bee. My hand began to swell, and I immediately applied lavender oil to the parts of my skin that were red. This natural remedy seemed to bring fast relief. You can read about my experience here.
Please understand I’m not a doctor or a professional aromatherapist, so my story is not intended as medical advice. Needless to say, though, lavender oil will always be part of my natural medicine cabinet.
Is Lavender Oil Good For Acne?
Lavender oil is often used as a natural acne treatment. The action may be partly due to the fact that lavender essential oil is believed to have natural antimicrobial compounds. This is what my daughter started using when she decided to treat her teenage acne with plant-based materials, instead of drugs.
She had a terrible case of acne. During a moment of weakness, I bought her a widely advertised chemical based product, which she stopped using after a week or two. However, even though I’m a middle-aged Mom, I still get an occasional pimple or two. When I want fast healing, I reach for my lavender oil.
Lavender Oil For Eczema
I am not aware of a study conclusively showing that lavender essential oil can help soothe eczema. But it has a history of use in aromatherapy for treating this stubborn and distressing skin condition. Although I certainly can’t promise this aromatic oil can help eczema, it does have a very soothing quality and it seems to have a strong affinity for the skin.
Plant Therapy makes a special Skin Soother Synergy Blend that contains lavender essential oil, along with six other aromatic oils.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take herbal remedies, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
For Additional Reading
Palmarosa Oil For SkinLavender Essential Oil Blend Recipes
