When you think of lavender oil, the first thing that probably comes to mind is its distinct, sweet, and floral smell that helps invigorate your senses and eases you into a deep and peaceful slumber. But the truth is, lavender oil is so much more than just a fragrance. Besides calming your nerves, this all-purpose oil can do a lot to heal and soothe your skin during pregnancy.
We scoured the internet to find more facts about this ingredient and what qualities set it apart from other essential oils. Keep reading as we share all the deets about this natural ingredient and whether you should add it t your pregnancy skincare lineup or not.
What Is Lavender Oil?
First, let’s have a word about essential oils! They are concentrated liquids derived from the aromatic parts of plants like roots, flowers, and leaves, using a process called steam distillation. Lavender oil is one such essential oil that comes from the flowers of the lavender plant, which grows in various regions, such as Bulgaria and France. The main components of Lavender oil include linalyl acetate, eucalyptol, and geraniol, which have antifungal as well as antibacterial properties.
Lavender oil is found in a concentrated form on its own, but it is also moisturisers, creams, oils, and mists. The topical application of lavender oil is considered the safest during pregnancy as direct inhalation can trigger allergic reactions in some cases.
Benefits Of Lavender Oil For Skin
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils. Check out some of its common benefits for your skin.
- Helps soothe dry skin and eczema: Lavender oil, when mixed with a carrier oil (for instance rosehip oil) serves as an excellent moisturiser and aids in retaining moisture in your skin and preventing dryness. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties further help defend against bacteria that cause eczema and keep your skin protected.
- Protects your skin against free radicals: As an antioxidant, lavender oil helps protect your skin against environmental stressors. It can also reverse damage caused by free radicals and help keep your skin’s protective barrier intact.
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Lavender oil is packed with antioxidants, which makes it an excellent option for tackling wrinkles. Its antioxidant properties help boost collagen and elastin synthesis in your skin and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in your complexion. You can try a mixture of lavender and coconut oil, and use it as a DIY anti-ageing serum for your face.
- Improves acne: As you know, bacteria and fungus on your skin often result in inflammation and acne. The antifungal properties of lavender oil can benefit you here by fighting acne-causing bacteria and also reducing inflammation and redness.
- Promotes skin healing: Lavender oil may help speed up the healing of wounds, burns, and cuts, and also reduce scars left by acne and blemishes. Regular application of lavender oil can promote cell growth and potentially improve scarring.
- Prevents skin infections: The antifungal and antibacterial properties of lavender oil can help combat skin infections and reduce itching and irritation.
- Soothes bug bites: Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a go-to for soothing pain and itching associated with bug bites.
- Promotes scalp health and hair growth: Lavender oil can also be incorporated into your haircare routine. It can help increase the speed of your hair growth, and also keep dandruff and scalp infections at bay. You can use lavender oil with a carrier oil, and mix a few drops of shampoo to create a DIY cleanser for your strands.
Side Effects Of Lavender Oil
Since essential oils are highly potent, contact allergies to lavender oil are a definite possibility. Even if you are not allergic to lavender, your skin’s immune system can develop allergies, and result in dermatitis. If your skin is generally on the sensitive side, then it’s a good idea to conduct a patch test before adding it to your pregnancy skincare lineup. If you want further advice on the usage of lavender oil, then do consult your dermatologist to determine if it’s safe to apply topically on your skin.
The Best Way To Use Lavender Oil During Pregnancy
You can apply lavender oil directly to your skin, and you can also in a carrier substance for added benefits, safety, and better absorption. Generally, the dilution rate depends on the method of application (toning, moisturising), usage, or your skin’s needs.
As for a carrier substance, you can consider mixing lavender oil with jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil. You can apply the essential oil twice a day to your skin, and can also change that according to your skin’s tolerance.
In brief, the benefits of lavender oil go way beyond just easing you to a good night’s sleep and calming your senses. It is heavily effective for your skin and exhibits antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that help tackle numerous skin issues like acne and irritation. However, to be on the safer side, conduct a patch test before adding this powerhouse to your skincare routine, and consult your dermatologist if you have additional concerns.
Also read:
Skin fasting during pregnancy: What is skin fasting? And can you jump into this skincare bandwagon during pregnancy? We share all the deets in this post.
How to use a gua sha tool in pregnancy: This is exactly how you should use a gua sha tool in your pregnancy skincare routine. Take a look!
Oatmeal face mask: Check out these super-nourishing and soothing oatmeal face masks for your skin.
Featured image: Pexels.com
