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 is oily skin?
Oily skin is a skin type in which the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than the skin needs. It shows up as shine through the T-zone within hours of cleansing, visibly enlarged pores, makeup that slides or separates, and a tendency towards blackheads and congestion.
Sebum itself is not the enemy – it carries vitamin E to the surface, keeps the barrier supple and helps oily skin hold its structure, which is why it often shows fine lines later than dry skin does.
What causes oily skin?
Genetics and androgen activity are the primary drivers of how much sebum your glands produce. Heat and humidity increase output measurably, and hormonal fluctuations across the monthly cycle, pregnancy or puberty shift it again.
Stress, a diet heavy in refined carbohydrates, and – counter-intuitively – over-cleansing with stripping foams or alcohol-based toners all push oil production up, because skin compensates for a damaged barrier by making more.
What ingredients are best for oily skin?
Look for salicylic acid (a BHA that is oil-soluble, so it clears inside the pore), niacinamide and zinc to regulate sebum, clay such as bentonite or kaolin for weekly absorption, and retinoids or azelaic acid to normalise how pores shed.
Do not skip hydration: lightweight humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, plus non-comedogenic squalane or jojoba oil, keep the barrier intact so the skin stops over-compensating. Skip heavy occlusive balms and high-alcohol toners. Take our Skin Quiz to get the balance right for your skin.
