Ingredient
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil is flagged for pregnancy, trying to conceive and PCOS. The concern behind the strongest flag is hormone disruptor and absorbed into the body.
- Lavender Oil
- True Lavender Oil
- English Lavender Oil
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Caution Advised
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 3 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 2 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and pregnancy
Caution Advised
- Hormone disruptor
- Absorbed into the body
Lavender oil is an essential oil extracted from the lavender plant, commonly used in cosmetics for its pleasant fragrance and purported calming properties. It's a complex mixture of volatile compounds including linalool, linalyl acetate, and other terpenes. Some research suggests that lavender oil may have weak estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects. A 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine linked lavender oil to prepubertal gynecomastia in boys, suggesting potential endocrine-disrupting properties. While topical absorption is generally low, essential oils can penetrate the skin, and their effects during pregnancy are not well-studied. There is insufficient data on fetal exposure and developmental effects. ACOG does not provide specific guidance on topical lavender oil during pregnancy. Due to the theoretical endocrine disruption concerns and lack of safety data during pregnancy, many healthcare providers recommend limiting exposure to essential oils, especially in the first trimester. If you choose to use products containing lavender oil during pregnancy, consider using them sparingly and monitoring for any skin reactions.
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and breastfeeding
Safe to Use
- Passes into breast milk
Lavender oil is a volatile essential oil that can be absorbed through the skin, though topical absorption rates are generally low. When used in skincare products, the concentration is typically diluted compared to pure essential oil. While there is limited research on lavender oil transfer into breast milk, the AAD and most lactation consultants consider topical use of diluted lavender oil to be relatively low-risk during breastfeeding. The concern is primarily theoretical rather than based on documented adverse events. However, direct application to the breast area should be avoided to prevent infant ingestion, and products should be washed off before breastfeeding if applied near the breast. Most dermatologists agree that using skincare products containing lavender oil away from the breast area poses minimal risk to breastfed infants. If you have concerns about sensitivity or allergic reactions in your infant, you may choose to limit use or monitor for any unusual symptoms.
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and postpartum
Safe to Use
- Common allergen
- Irritant
For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, lavender oil presents minimal health concerns beyond the general population. Its soothing and aromatic properties may provide relaxation benefits during the postpartum period. The main considerations are potential allergic reactions and skin sensitivity, which can be heightened during hormonal changes postpartum. Patch testing before full application is recommended, especially if you have sensitive skin or a history of fragrance allergies.
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and trying to conceive
Caution Advised
- Hormone disruptor
For women trying to conceive, the same endocrine disruption concerns apply as during pregnancy. The potential estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects of lavender oil, while not definitively proven to affect fertility, represent a theoretical concern when trying to optimize hormonal balance for conception. While there is no direct evidence that topical lavender oil in cosmetics impacts fertility, many fertility specialists recommend minimizing exposure to potential endocrine disruptors during the preconception period. The conservative approach is to limit or avoid essential oils until pregnancy is achieved, then follow pregnancy guidelines.
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and PCOS
Caution Advised
- Interferes with hormones
Lavender oil's potential endocrine-disrupting properties are a consideration for women with PCOS, who already experience hormonal imbalances. The 2007 NEJM study showing estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects suggests lavender oil may influence hormone levels, though the clinical significance for PCOS is unclear. While some sources suggest lavender's anti-androgenic properties could theoretically benefit PCOS symptoms like hirsutism, there is no scientific evidence supporting this use. The potential for hormonal interference, even if mild, may be undesirable for women working to balance their hormones through medical treatment. Most dermatologists do not specifically warn against lavender oil for PCOS patients, as the endocrine effects appear to be mild and primarily observed with direct, concentrated exposure. However, if you're undergoing fertility treatments or concerned about hormonal balance, you may prefer to choose fragrance-free alternatives or products without essential oils.
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and general use
Safe to Use
- Common allergen
- Irritant
For the general population, lavender oil is considered a relatively safe cosmetic ingredient when used in typical product formulations. It provides fragrance and may offer mild soothing and antioxidant benefits to the skin. The primary concern is allergic contact dermatitis, which affects a small percentage of users. According to the SCCS, oxidized components of lavender oil (particularly oxidized linalool) are more allergenic than fresh oil. People with sensitive skin or known fragrance allergies should exercise caution. The concentration matters—pure essential oils are more likely to cause irritation than diluted forms in cosmetics. If you experience redness, itching, or rash after using a product with lavender oil, discontinue use and consider patch testing before trying other lavender-containing products.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil, each one with its own page here.
Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
One ingredient is the easy case.
A label has thirty of them. Truva reads the whole list at once and answers for the profile you set: pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS, or general use.
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