What is lavender in skincare?
Lavender oil is steam-distilled from the flowering spikes of Lavandula angustifolia. Its main constituents are linalool and linalyl acetate, which give it both its scent and its biological activity.
It is one of the most widely used essential oils in cosmetics, valued for fragrance as much as for function. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are real, but so is its potential to sensitise skin.
What skin concerns does lavender treat?
It calms minor irritation, insect bites and small wounds, and has been shown to support wound healing and collagen synthesis in experimental models. Its antibacterial action gives it a modest role in mild acne.
Its most reliable benefit is arguably indirect: lavender’s effect on stress and sleep quality matters for skin, since cortisol drives inflammation and breakouts. As a topical active on the face, however, it is one of the weaker options.
What ingredients are best paired with lavender?
Always dilute it in a carrier oil – jojoba, squalane or sweet almond – to around 1%. Pair it with calming ingredients such as chamomile, centella asiatica and colloidal oatmeal.
Be cautious: linalool oxidises on exposure to air into a known contact allergen, and lavender is a common cause of fragrance sensitivity. If your skin is reactive or you are treating rosacea, a fragrance-free calming ingredient is the safer choice. Take our Skin Quiz.
What are clogged pores?
A clogged pore is a hair follicle blocked by a mix of sebum, dead skin cells and debris. Left open to the air the plug oxidises and darkens into a blackhead; sealed over by skin it becomes a whitehead or closed comedone.
Clogged pores are the starting point of nearly all acne – the microcomedone forms first, and inflammation follows only if bacteria and immune response get involved.
What causes clogged pores?
Excess sebum and abnormal keratinisation are the two mechanics. When the follicle lining sheds cells faster than they can clear, they bind with oil and form a plug.
Comedogenic products (heavy oils, some silicones and waxes), thick makeup worn for long stretches, humidity, sweat left on the skin, hormonal shifts and insufficient cleansing all contribute. So does over-cleansing, which damages the barrier and drives oil production up.
What ingredients are best for clogged pores?
Salicylic acid is the first choice because it is oil-soluble and works inside the pore rather than just on the surface. Glycolic and lactic acid clear the surface layer, and clay masks absorb excess oil weekly.
Retinoids are the most effective long-term fix, because they change how the follicle sheds in the first place. Add niacinamide to regulate sebum and keep the barrier intact, and switch to non-comedogenic, lightweight hydrators. Take our Skin Quiz to find products that will not re-clog you.
