Lavender essential oil

 

1. Ingredient Identity

INCI Name: Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
CAS Number(s): 8000‑28‑0, 90063‑37‑9

Other Identifiers:
• Common Names: Lavender Oil, True Lavender Oil
• Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia
• Plant Family: Lamiaceae
• Plant Type: Perennial flowering shrub native to Mediterranean regions (6)

2. Ingredient Characteristics

Lavender oil is a volatile aromatic extract rich in terpenes and polyphenolic compounds that contribute to its soothing, antimicrobial, and sensorial properties.

Key Bioactive Compounds

• Linalool
• Linalyl acetate
• Lavandulol, lavandulyl acetate
• Minor polyphenols and flavonoids

Functional Properties

• Antimicrobial (3)
• Anti-inflammatory (3)
• Antioxidant (supported by polyphenolic content)
• Aromatherapeutic / calming (2)
• Scalp‑soothing and clarifying (3)

Typical Cosmetic Roles

• Skin conditioning
• Soothing agent
• Protective antioxidant
• Aromatherapeutic enhancer
• Clarifying/scalp‑balancing support

3. Raw Material Origin

• Plant Source: Lavandula angustifolia
• Part Used: Flowering tops — the highest concentration of aromatic compounds is found in the unopened flower buds (7)
• Geographic Origin: Native to Mediterranean regions; cultivated globally in dry, warm climates (6)
• Harvesting: Flowers are harvested when 30–90% of blooms are open, typically in the morning after dew evaporation (9)

4. Sustainability

Water Usage & Climate Suitability

Lavender is naturally drought-tolerant and thrives in dry, low-water environments (4).

Regenerative or Low‑Impact Traits

• Grows well in poor soils with minimal fertilizer needs (4)
• Low pesticide requirement due to natural pest resistance (4)
• Supports pollinators through abundant nectar production (3, 4)

Notes on Variability

• Oil yield varies significantly with weather conditions year‑to‑year (10)

5. Environmental Footprint

Land Use

• Producing lavender essential oil requires a high biomass input. Estimates indicate that 160–256 pounds of fresh lavender flowers are needed to produce one pound of essential oil, depending on cultivar, climate, and distillation efficiency. (10)

Chemical Inputs

• Minimal fertilizer and pesticide needs under sustainable cultivation (4)
• However, conventional farming may still rely on pesticides, and transparency varies by region (10)

Biodiversity Conservation

• Lavender species are classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN Red List (3)
• Lavender fields provide habitat and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators (3, 4)
• Over-harvesting of wild lavender can disrupt local ecosystems (10)

Soil Health

• Deep perennial root systems help stabilize soil and reduce erosion (4)

Carbon Footprint

• Perennial shrubs contribute to soil carbon retention
• Low‑input cultivation reduces emissions compared to annual crops (4)

6. Production Process

Harvesting

• Flowers harvested when 30–90% open
• Morning harvest after dew evaporation (9)

Extraction Method

• Steam distillation: Steam volatilizes aromatic compounds, which are condensed and separated into essential oil and hydrosol (9)

Refining Notes

• No solvent extraction
• Distillation temperature and duration influence linalool and linalyl acetate retention
• Proper handling preserves aromatic and therapeutic quality

7. Socioeconomic Impact

Employment Generation

• Lavender farming supports rural agricultural economies and smallholder operations (1)

Income Diversification

• High-value essential oil provides a stable income compared to commodity crops
• Lavender cultivation is increasingly used in agritourism and rural development programs (2, 5)

8. Usage Insights

Cosmetic Applications

• Skin conditioning
• Soothing and calming formulations
• Antioxidant support
• Aromatherapeutic blends

Haircare Applications

• Antimicrobial activity helps prevent scalp bacteria and fungi (3)
• Helps reduce dandruff, itchiness, and scalp infections (3)
• Anti-inflammatory properties support dry or irritated scalps (3)

Beyond hair care, lavender’s calming and antimicrobial properties shine in our Calming Lavender Soap for gentle, therapeutic cleansing.

Lavender Essential oil has a marked hair-growth-promoting effect (1,3), as in our Sacred Roots Hair Oil, and the added benefit of reducing stress. (2) which is why we include it in our Tallow Veil Peaceful Night cream.

Other Uses

• Aromatherapy
• Traditional wellness applications
• Culinary and household uses (varies by region)

9. Medicinal & Ecological Benefits

Traditional Uses

• Historically used for calming, cleansing, and wound‑soothing purposes (9)

Documented Therapeutic Properties

• Stress‑reducing effects (2)
• Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity (3)

Ecological Roles

• Supports pollinators (3, 4)
• Helps reduce soil erosion due to deep perennial roots (4)

10. Soil & Environmental Enhancements

• Perennial shrub structure helps reduce erosion (4)
• Supports pollinator activity (3, 4)
• Thrives in marginal soils with minimal inputs (4)
• Contributes to soil carbon retention through perennial root systems (4)

11. Market Impact

• Global demand for lavender essential oil continues to grow, driven by aromatherapy, skincare, and haircare markets (1)
• Lavender is among the top commercially critical essential oils worldwide
• Weather-dependent yields influence price volatility (10)
• Increasing interest in agritourism and value-added lavender products (2)

Harness the power of lavender essential oil in our carefully crafted products: 

Sacred Roots Hair Oil for hair growth and scalp health, Calming Lavender Soap for gentle cleansing, and Tallow Veil Peaceful Night balm for relaxation and skin nourishment.

 

12. Citations

(1) Agronomy Journal – Sustainable lavender farming and global economic implications agronomyjournals.com
(2) ATTRA – Lavender Production, Markets, and Agritourism ATTRA
(3) Southern Grace Lavender Farm – Environmental impact and pollinator support southerngracelavenderfarm.com
(4) ShunWaste – Lavender’s environmental sustainability and ecological benefits shunwaste.com
(5) MDPI – Lavender as a catalyst for rural development MDPI
(6) Wikipedia – Lavandula taxonomy and native range Wikipedia
(7) Biology Insights – Plant parts used for lavender extraction biologyinsights.com
(9) NC State Extension – Lavender production, harvesting, and distillation New Crops & Organics
(10) https://islandlavender.com/blogs/news/how-much-lavender-plant-material-is-needed-to-produce-one-ounce-of-essential-oil