Table of Contents
- Lavender Essential Oil Profile
- Why Lavender Is the First Oil I Recommend
- Which Lavender Should You Buy?
- How to Use Lavender Safely
- 67 Uses for Lavender Essential Oil
- Lavender for Sleep and Relaxation
- Lavender for Stress and Mood
- Lavender for Skin Care
- 19. Soothe Dry Skin
- 20. Make a Facial Serum
- 21. Mix a Face Toner
- 22. Care for Blemish-Prone Skin
- 23. Make Makeup Remover Pads
- 24. Calm Skin After Shaving or Waxing
- 25. Soften Chapped Lips
- 26. Nourish Stretch Marks and Old Scars
- 27. Make a Hand Cream
- 28. Treat Your Nails and Cuticles
- 29. Make Lavender Soap
- 30. Scent Your Body Wash
- Lavender for First Aid and Everyday Bumps
- 31. Soothe Bug Bites
- 32. Comfort Minor Kitchen Burns
- 33. Care for Small Scrapes
- 34. Calm Razor Nicks
- 35. Protect Blister-Prone Feet
- 36. Ease Itchy Skin and Heat Rash
- 37. Comfort Bumps and Bruises
- 38. Soothe Sunburned Skin
- 39. Ease Tension Headaches
- 40. Settle Car Sickness
- 41. Breathe Easier on High-Pollen Days
- 42. Try a Steam Bowl for a Stuffy Nose
- Lavender for Muscles and Body Comfort
- Lavender for Hair
- Lavender Around the Home
- Lavender for Pets and Gifts
- What Blends Well With Lavender?
- Diffusing Lavender
- More Single Oils to Explore
- FAQs
Updated October 2026
Lavender essential oil is used for sleep, stress, skin care, minor first aid, and keeping the home smelling fresh. It's gentle, versatile and the oil I recommend most to beginners. If you only buy one essential oil, make it lavender.
Below you'll find my lavender oil profile, how to use it safely, and 67 practical ways to use it, many shared by our readers, with links to my full DIY recipes.
Lavender Essential Oil Profile
Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia
Plant Family & Part Used: Lamiaceae; flowers
Scent: Floral, herbaceous, lightly woody. Middle note.
Traditionally Used For: Sleep, stress and burnout, irritated skin, minor burns, tension headaches, bug bites, muscle tension.
Max Dilution: Up to 5% (my practice recommendation; Tisserand & Young list no maximum for true lavender).
Safety: Choose Lavandula angustifolia for relaxation and skin care. Camphor-rich lavandin and spike lavender are more stimulating and better suited to breathing blends. Old, oxidized lavender is more likely to irritate skin.
Blends Well With: Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Cedarwood
Shelf Life: 3 to 4 years
Substitutes: Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage, Ho Wood
Why Lavender Is the First Oil I Recommend
No essential oil has been studied more than lavender. Its main components, linalool and linalyl acetate, are why it smells so calming. That's why lavender shows up in first aid kits, bedtime routines and beauty products alike.
Over the years it has earned a few nicknames:
- “First Aid in a Bottle”
- “The Universal Oil”
- “The Mother of All Essential Oils”
- “If in Doubt, Use Lavender”
Which Lavender Should You Buy?
Not every bottle labeled “lavender” is the same oil. Check the botanical name on the label:
- True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): the soft, floral lavender used for everything on this page.
- Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia): a sharper, more camphor-rich hybrid that's often cheaper. Great for cleaning and breathing blends, less ideal for sleep. See lavender vs lavandin.
- Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia): strong and camphor-rich, best for muscle rubs and clearing blends. See my spike lavender spotlight.
Lavender oil vs lavender essential oil: people often say “lavender oil” when they mean the essential oil, but some products labeled lavender oil are carrier oils infused with lavender flowers or fragrance. Look for “100% Lavandula angustifolia essential oil” on the label. Here's how to choose quality essential oils. I don't push one brand, but here is one lavender oil I like (affiliate link).
How to Use Lavender Safely
Lavender is one of the gentlest essential oils, but gentle doesn't mean you can skip dilution. Here's how I dilute it:
| Use | Dilution | Per 1 Tbsp (15 ml) | Per 10 ml Roller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, kids 2+, daily use | 1% | 3 drops | 2 drops |
| Body oils, lotions, massage | 2% to 3% | 6 to 9 drops | 4 to 6 drops |
| Small area, short-term (bites, bumps) | Up to 5% | 15 drops | 10 drops |
- Patch test a new blend on your inner arm first, and stop if you notice redness or itching.
- Kids: diffuse lightly for short periods, and keep topical blends at 0.5% to 1% for ages 2 and up. Ask your pediatrician about babies.
- Pregnancy: lavender is generally considered one of the gentler oils, but check with your provider and keep dilutions low. See my list of essential oils for pregnancy.
- Don't swallow it, and keep it out of eyes and ear canals.
- Store it well: cap tightly and keep it cool and dark. Oxidized lavender is more likely to irritate skin.
- Pets: never use essential oils on or around cats or birds.
For more, read my 7 essential oil safety tips and my dilution guide with chart. Need a carrier oil? Here is my list of carrier oils.
67 Uses for Lavender Essential Oil
We asked our readers, “What are some ways you like to use lavender essential oil?” Their favorites are mixed in below with the ways we use lavender at home.
Lavender for Sleep and Relaxation
Lavender is best known as a bedtime oil, and this is where most people start.
1. Diffuse It at Bedtime
Add 3 to 5 drops to your diffuser about 30 minutes before bed and let it run while you wind down. For more ideas, see how to use lavender scent for sleep and my sleep diffuser blends.
Amy W. says, “I like to diffuse lavender EO at night. It helps me get to sleep and sleep soundly.”
Try my Peaceful Sleep Diffuser Blend with lavender and cedarwood. Learn more about this pair in lavender and cedarwood.
2. Make a Pillow Spray
A light mist on your pillow a few minutes before bed is one of the simplest ways to use lavender. Here is my lavender pillow spray recipe.
3. Freshen Your Sheets
A lavender linen spray makes a freshly made bed feel like a hotel. Spray lightly and let the fabric dry before you climb in.
4. Take a Lavender Bath
Essential oils don't mix with water, so blend 3 to 6 drops into 1 tablespoon of carrier oil or unscented castile soap (affiliate link) before adding it to the tub. Read can I put lavender oil in my bath? and my guide to using essential oils for bathing.
5. Soak in Lavender Epsom Salts
Mix lavender (blended into a little carrier oil first) with Epsom salt for an evening soak. Here are my lavender Epsom salt benefits and recipe.
6. Give a Bedtime Massage
A slow shoulder or foot massage with a 2% lavender oil is a lovely way to end the day. Try my lavender massage oil.
7. Relax a Clenched Jaw
If you clench or grind at night, roll a 2% to 3% lavender blend along the jawline up toward the temples before bed, and gently massage it in. Keep it away from your eyes.
8. Use a Tissue When You Don't Have a Diffuser
Put 1 to 2 drops on a tissue and tuck it near (not on) your pillow, or breathe it in for a few slow breaths before lights out.
9. Add It to the Kids' Bedtime Routine
For children, lavender is one of the gentler oils. Diffuse it lightly for short periods, or use a 0.5% to 1% roll-on for kids 2 and up. Pair it with vetiver for a deeper, grounding scent, as in my lavender and vetiver blends.
Lavender for Stress and Mood
Lavender's soft floral scent is a go-to when life feels like too much.
10. Ease Everyday Stress
Diffuse lavender or spritz a room spray and take a few deep breaths. My de-stress diffuser blend is a favorite.
11. Calm Nervous Moments
Put 1 drop on a tissue or inhaler, breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth, and let the tension go with each breath. See more calming essential oils.
12. Steady Yourself Before a Test or Big Meeting
Apply a lavender roll-on to your wrists beforehand, then breathe in from your wrists if nerves kick in. A scented tissue in your pocket works too.
13. Lift a Low Mood
Lavender pairs beautifully with citrus for a brighter scent. Try my Sunshine blend or more uplifting diffuser blends.
14. Find Comfort in Hard Moments
When you need comfort, lavender brings a sense of calm and steadiness. Here is a favorite inhaler blend:
15. Wear It on Diffuser Jewelry
Add a drop to an essential oil diffuser bracelet, a diffuser necklace or a chakra bracelet for calm you can carry all day.
16. Support Focus
Diffuse lavender with a drop each of peppermint and orange while you work or study. Read more about lavender and orange.
17. Make Your Office Calmer
If you can diffuse at work, lavender helps create a calm, pleasant space. Add lemon to freshen stale air, or try this blend:
18. Pair It With Rosemary for a Pick-Me-Up
Lavender isn't only for relaxing. With rosemary it turns refreshing and clear. Try my uplifting lavender and rosemary blends.
Lavender for Skin Care
Lavender is gentle enough for most skin types when it's diluted. Keep face blends at 1%.
19. Soothe Dry Skin
Add 6 drops of lavender to 1 tablespoon of unscented lotion or a carrier oil like jojoba oil (affiliate link) (about 2%) and apply to dry areas.
Amanda D. says, “Lavender is my "go to" oil for anything skin related: cuts, bug bites, dry skin, etc.”
20. Make a Facial Serum
Add 3 drops of lavender to 1 tablespoon of a light facial oil such as rosehip seed oil for a gentle 1% serum. Keep it away from your eyes.
Liz R. says, “Lavender is my favorite essential oil. I like to diffuse it, put it in my pillow spray and add it to my facial serum and body butter. It does it all!”
21. Mix a Face Toner
A DIY lavender face toner is a refreshing step after cleansing.
22. Care for Blemish-Prone Skin
Lavender is a soft addition to a blemish routine at 1%. Try my witch hazel pads.
Claudia S. says, “Lavender being the most versatile of essential oils, it can be used in nearly unending ways. It is very often the base for blends that I use for diffusing as well as for skin care and in cleaning products.”
23. Make Makeup Remover Pads
My lavender makeup remover pads are gentle and easy to make.
24. Calm Skin After Shaving or Waxing
Mix a drop or two of lavender into a spoonful of aloe vera gel (affiliate link). Here's exactly how to mix lavender oil with aloe vera gel, and more about aloe vera for skin.
25. Soften Chapped Lips
Mix 1 drop of lavender into 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or plain lip balm base and dab it on. That's about 1%, gentle enough for lips.
26. Nourish Stretch Marks and Old Scars
Massage a 2% blend of lavender in rosehip oil into stretch marks or well-healed scars daily. With time and consistency, many people find the skin looks softer and smoother. See more on essential oils for scarring.
27. Make a Hand Cream
Busy hands love my homemade lavender hand cream.
28. Treat Your Nails and Cuticles
Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil, stir in 2 drops of lavender and soak your fingertips for 5 to 10 minutes. Or try my rosehip oil cuticle roller.
29. Make Lavender Soap
Melt-and-pour soap is a fun beginner project. Try my lavender melt and pour soap or lavender loofah soap.
30. Scent Your Body Wash
Stir a few drops into a bottle of unscented body wash or castile soap and shake before each use.
Annette S. loves lavender bath bombs, and Angela M. adds it to her body scrubs. Lavender also pairs well with shea butter for body butters.
Lavender for First Aid and Everyday Bumps
Lavender has earned its place in the home first aid kit for small, everyday things. See my full list of first aid essential oils. For anything serious, deep or infected, see a doctor.
31. Soothe Bug Bites
Apply a lavender roll-on to bites to help calm the itch. Here's my bug bite itch remedy.
Kimberlee S. says, “In my face care routine, for bug bites, bruises, scratches and scrapes.”
32. Comfort Minor Kitchen Burns
Lavender is a classic for burns, but timing matters. Cool water comes first, and oils come later. Here's the best-practice order:
Minor Kitchen Burn? Do This First
- Cool it for 20 minutes. Cool (not ice-cold) water is the most helpful thing you can do. It draws heat out so the burn doesn't go deeper, and it still helps up to 3 hours later. You don't have to stand at a running tap: soak the burn in a bowl of cool tap water, adding fresh water as it warms, or hold a cool, wet cloth on it and re-wet the cloth often. (Water your plants with it afterward.) Take off rings or bracelets near the burn before it swells.
- Skip the ice. Ice is too cold for injured skin and can add a cold injury on top of the burn. It also numbs the area, so it feels better than it really is.
- Hold the oils for now. Oils, butter and balms hold heat in, the opposite of what you want. Once it's cooled, leave it alone or cover it loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy dressing. Plain aloe vera gel is a gentle option if it feels hot.
- Save essential oils for later. Once the heat and sting have settled, usually the next day, and the skin is unbroken, a little lavender mixed into aloe gel (1 drop per teaspoon) is a gentle comfort. Never put oils on blisters or open skin.
Get medical care for burns larger than your palm, burns that blister or look white or charred, burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals or joints, chemical or electrical burns, burns on babies and young children, or any burn that shows signs of infection. Sources: NHS burns and scalds treatment and British Red Cross first aid for burns.
33. Care for Small Scrapes
Wash the scrape with soap and water and pat it dry. Once it's clean, a diluted lavender roll-on around the area is a gentle comfort.
Rhonda N. says, “This is my FAVORITE oil. I even grow lots of lavender because I love it. I use it for cuts and bug bites and every night before I go to bed, deep breathe it in. Love, Love, Love it!”
34. Calm Razor Nicks
Once the nick stops bleeding, dab a little lavender roll-on around it.
35. Protect Blister-Prone Feet
Keep blisters intact and covered. Massage a 2% lavender blend into the skin around them (not into an open blister), and add padding so they don't rub.
36. Ease Itchy Skin and Heat Rash
Dilute lavender in jojoba oil or a simple balm and apply to itchy areas.
Liza F. says, “Itchy Heat Rash Cream: I use lavender, peppermint, patchouli and sandalwood with the base of shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax and calendula infused oil.”
37. Comfort Bumps and Bruises
Lavender is a classic for bumps and bruises. Try my Bumps and Bruises Roller Blend.
38. Soothe Sunburned Skin
Aloe and lavender are a wonderful pair. I keep my aloe gel in the fridge so it's extra cooling. Try my lavender oil for sunburn recipes, my sunburn cooling spray and roller, or aloe vera gel cubes.
Erin S. says, “Mixed with almond oil for a sunburn.”
39. Ease Tension Headaches
Roll a 2% to 3% lavender blend onto your temples and the back of your neck. Adding peppermint gives a cooling feel (peppermint is for adults and kids 6+). Read more about lavender and peppermint oil and my top essential oils for headaches.
Linda S. says, “I use lavender in a roller with lemon and peppermint for headaches.”
40. Settle Car Sickness
An aromatherapy inhaler is easy to use on the road. Make my Car Ride Inhaler (with peppermint, so it's for ages 6+; skip the star anise if you're pregnant), or see ginger essential oil for nausea.
41. Breathe Easier on High-Pollen Days
An inhaler or diffuser blend of lavender, lemon and peppermint is a classic for seasonal stuffiness. See my lavender, lemon and peppermint recipes.
42. Try a Steam Bowl for a Stuffy Nose
Add 1 to 2 drops to a bowl of hot (not boiling) water, drape a towel over your head, close your eyes and breathe slowly for a few minutes. A drop of eucalyptus adds a clearing note. Steam bowls are for adults only. For sore throat season, try my diffuser blends for sore throats.
Lavender for Muscles and Body Comfort
Diluted lavender in a massage oil or warm compress is a simple comfort for tired bodies.
43. Relax Sore Muscles in the Bath
Blend 3 to 6 drops into 1 tablespoon of carrier oil or castile soap, add to a warm bath and soak.
44. Massage Neck and Shoulder Tension
Add 6 to 9 drops of lavender to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil (2% to 3%) and massage into your neck, shoulders and back, or better yet, ask someone else to.
Christine U. says, “Topically, I roll it on my forearms, back of neck, chest for calming. I also diffuse it on jewelry and in a diffuser.”
Try my Tension Tamer Lotion: add the blend to 1 oz of unscented lotion (affiliate link). It contains peppermint and rosemary, so it's for adults and kids 6+.
45. Make a Warm Compress
Swirl 2 to 4 drops into a bowl of warm water, soak a cloth, wring it out and lay it over achy areas. For a fresh strain or sprain, use cool water instead.
46. Ease Leg Cramps
Massage a 2% lavender blend into tight calves. My lavender massage oil works well here too.
47. Soak Tired Feet
Mix 4 drops of lavender into 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil, stir into a large bowl of warm water with 1/4 cup of Epsom salt (affiliate link), and soak for about 10 minutes.
48. Freshen Smelly Feet
After your foot soak, scrub, pat dry and finish with a lavender lotion.
49. Comfort Period Cramps
Massage a 2% to 3% blend onto your lower belly, or lay a warm compress over it. Lavender blends well with clary sage, Roman chamomile and sweet marjoram. Try my blends for menstrual cramps.
50. Massage a Bloated Tummy
Make a 10 ml roller with 4 drops lavender and 2 drops ginger topped with carrier oil (about 3%). Massage clockwise around your belly.
51. Make a Natural Deodorant
Lavender and tea tree make a fresh deodorant. Here's my DIY lavender melaleuca deodorant. Always use it in a recipe rather than rubbing undiluted oil under your arms.
Lavender for Hair
Lavender adds a soft scent to your hair routine and pairs well with rosemary.
52. Care for a Flaky Scalp
Add 1 to 2 drops of lavender (plus a drop of tea tree, if you like) to a palmful of shampoo and massage it into your scalp.
Kim L. says, “I love it in my shampoo and body lotion when I take nighttime showers.”
53. Make a Detangler Spray
Try my homemade lavender hair detangler.
Christine O. says, “In my homemade detangler spray.”
54. Treat Your Hair to a Mask
Try my honey lavender hair mask or lavender rosemary hair mask.
55. Rinse With Apple Cider Vinegar
An apple cider vinegar hair rinse with lavender and rosemary leaves hair soft and shiny.
56. Make a Scalp Oil
Lavender is one of my best essential oils for hair, including a lavender patchouli scalp oil.
Lavender Around the Home
Lavender makes a home smell clean and calm, no harsh fragrances needed.
57. Freshen the Bathroom
Put a few drops on a cotton ball and tuck it in the bottom of the trash can.
Michelle L. says, “I place a few drops on a cotton ball or even a scrap piece of cloth and put it in my bathroom trash can. It permeates the air until I empty the trash.”
58. Make a Room Spray
Mix 10 to 20 drops of lavender with 1 tablespoon of high-proof alcohol in a 2 oz glass spray bottle, top with distilled water, shake and mist. Or try my spearmint lavender room spray.
59. Scent Drawers and Closets
Put a few drops on a cotton ball or wooden block and tuck it into drawers and linen closets. I like to add cedarwood.
60. Scent Your Dryer Balls
Add 1 to 2 drops to wool dryer balls once the load is done, and run for a few more minutes. See my best essential oils for wool dryer balls.
Stephanie R. says, “I use Lavender to relax, as well as on my dryer balls for a clean, fresh scent.”
61. Freshen Carpets
Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 10 drops of lavender, sprinkle, wait 20 minutes and vacuum well. Here is my carpet deodorizer powder.
62. Deodorize Hampers and Gym Lockers
Put a few drops on a paper towel and place it in the bottom of a laundry hamper or locker.
63. Refresh Potpourri
Add a few drops to stale potpourri and toss. You can also make essential oil potpourri with rose petals or dry your own lavender.
64. Make an Outdoor Lotion
Mix 9 drops of lavender and 3 drops of lemongrass into 1 oz of unscented lotion for a fresh-scented lotion for evenings outdoors. Read more about lavender and lemongrass. In areas where mosquito-borne illness is a concern, use an EPA-registered repellent.
65. Wear It as a Natural Perfume
Lavender is a lovely base for natural perfume. Try my Love Potion roll-on perfume or rose and lavender blends.
Lavender for Pets and Gifts
66. Help Calm a Nervous Dog
Diffuse lavender in a room your dog can leave if they want to, or put 1 drop on a bandanna. Never use essential oils on or around cats or birds. For pet smells, see essential oils for pet odors.
Leanne A. says, “Just today, I used lavender to help calm my dog down while it was thundering.”
67. Give the Gift of Lavender
Lavender gifts are always welcome: bath salts, a pillow spray, a roll-on, soap, sachets or a hand cream. If you'd rather not DIY, my rollerball remedy kits make a thoughtful gift.
What Blends Well With Lavender?
Lavender gets along with almost everything. Read the full answer in what mixes well with lavender essential oil, or explore my favorite pairings:
- Lavender and Bergamot
- Lavender and Cedarwood
- Lavender and Fir
- Lavender and Grapefruit
- Lavender and Lemon
- Lavender and Lemongrass
- Lavender and Magnolia
- Lavender and Orange
- Lavender and Peppermint
- Lavender and Rose
- Lavender and Sandalwood
- Lavender and Vetiver
Diffusing Lavender
Diffusing is the easiest way to enjoy lavender. Start with these:
- Lavender Diffuser Blends: 10 Calming Recipes
- How to Use a Lavender Oil Diffuser
- What Is Lavender Good for in a Diffuser?
- What Is an Essential Oil Diffuser?
- How to Use an Essential Oil Diffuser
- Benefits of Diffusing Essential Oils
- 10 Easy Aromatherapy Diffuser Recipes
- 8 Diffuser Blends for Mood
More Single Oils to Explore
Ready to grow your collection? Browse my list of 150 essential oils and their uses, or grab one of my free essential oil guides.
Essential Oil Guide for Beginners - Getting Started
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Beginner's Essential Oil Guide - Download/Printable Learn how to safely and effectively make essential oils a part of your everyday life. Everything you need to know about essential oils. If you have ever been around anyone who loves using essential… Read More
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