“Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil?”Here!lavender essential oil
Appears in 3 scanned products.
In personal care
An essential oil steam-distilled from lavender flowers, composed of a complex mix of volatile aromatic compounds, including linalool and linalyl acetate.
Why it’s used
It contributes fragrance and is popular in handmade and natural-leaning products for its scent profile and traditional association with calm.
What the evidence says
Lavender oil is a recognized contact allergen for a subset of users, particularly as it ages and oxidizes, and the SCCS has flagged fragrance allergens including its component linalool for labeling requirements. It is not considered broadly hazardous at cosmetic concentrations, but sensitization risk is real and dose-dependent.
Context
Relevant mainly in leave-on products, where prolonged skin contact increases the chance of sensitization in susceptible individuals; rinse-off exposure is lower risk. Fresh, well-stored oil carries lower allergenic potential than oxidized oil.
Rumors
Causes allergic contact sensitization, especially as the oil oxidizes with age.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Measured as an outcome.
- Lavender oil lacks natural protection against autoxidation, forming strong contact allergens on air exposure. (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
Repeated use of lavender oil products on the skin can cause breast growth in boys before puberty.
Unresolvedhealth and safety evidence
Studied in: prepubertal boys with topical lavender oil exposure.
Measured as an outcome.
- Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
- Lavender Products Associated With Premature Thelarche and Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Case Reports and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Activities. (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
- Prepubertal gynecomastia and chronic lavender exposure: report of three cases. (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
- Prevalence of endocrine disorders among children exposed to Lavender Essential Oil and Tea Tree Essential Oils. (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
- Are Prepubertal Gynaecomastia and Premature Thelarche Linked to Topical Lavender and Tea Tree Oil Use? (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
- Critical assessment of the endocrine potential of Linalool and Linalyl acetate: proactive testing strategy assessing estrogenic and androgenic activity of Lavender oil main components. (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Endocrine Society — a professional body or practice: professional membership body for endocrine scientists and clinicians; advocates for its members
How we know who this is
- “Endocrine Society is a global community of physicians and scientists dedicated to accelerating scientific breakthroughs and improving patient health and well being.” (their page)
- “We are devoted to advancing hormone research, excellence in the clinical practice of endocrinology, broadening understanding of the critical role hormones play in health, and advocating on behalf of the global endocrinology community.” (their page)
Where it shows up
and 2 more products