Ingredient
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is hormone disruptor and absorbed into the body.
- Lavender Oil
- Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
- True 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
- 5 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 2 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil and pregnancy
Caution Advised
- Hormone disruptor
- Absorbed into the body
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil (lavender essential oil) is a concentrated botanical extract used for fragrance and purported therapeutic properties. Essential oils are highly lipophilic (fat-loving) compounds that can be absorbed through the skin, particularly when used repeatedly or on large body areas. Research has raised concerns about lavender oil's potential endocrine-disrupting properties. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported cases of prepubertal gynecomastia (breast development in young boys) linked to lavender-containing products, suggesting estrogenic activity. Laboratory studies have shown that lavender oil can alter hormone signaling pathways. While these studies primarily involved high concentrations or prolonged exposure, the potential for hormonal effects during pregnancy's sensitive developmental windows is a concern. Additionally, essential oils can cross the placental barrier due to their small molecular size and lipophilic nature. While no major regulatory body has issued an outright ban on lavender oil during pregnancy, many aromatherapists and integrative medicine practitioners advise caution, particularly in the first trimester when fetal development is most vulnerable. ACOG doesn't specifically address lavender oil, but general guidance suggests limiting exposure to substances with potential endocrine-disrupting properties during pregnancy. If you choose to use products with lavender oil during pregnancy, consider limiting use to occasional rinse-off products rather than leave-on applications on large body areas.
This one changes across the pregnancy.
- First trimester
- CAUTION
- Second trimester
- CAUTION
- Third trimester
- SAFE
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil and breastfeeding
Caution Advised
- Passes into breast milk
- Infant exposure
- Hormone disruptor
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil is a lipophilic essential oil that can be absorbed through the skin. Due to its fat-soluble nature, components of lavender oil could theoretically transfer to breast milk, which has a significant fat content. The potential endocrine-disrupting properties of lavender oil raise concerns for breastfed infants. The documented cases of prepubertal gynecomastia associated with lavender products suggest that infants and young children may be particularly vulnerable to lavender's hormonal effects. While specific studies on lavender oil transfer to breast milk are lacking, the ingredient's small molecular size and lipophilic properties make transfer plausible. Essential oils applied to the chest area are of particular concern as they could transfer directly to the infant during feeding. Many lactation consultants and pediatric dermatologists recommend avoiding lavender oil on the chest and breast area during breastfeeding due to potential infant exposure. If used on other body areas, keep usage minimal and avoid applying before breastfeeding. The AAD and most pediatricians suggest postponing regular use of lavender-containing products until after weaning due to theoretical risks of hormone exposure to the breastfed infant.
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil and postpartum
Safe to Use
- Common allergen
For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, lavender oil poses fewer concerns than during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Without the risk of fetal or infant exposure, the main considerations are allergic reactions and skin sensitivity, which may be heightened postpartum due to hormonal changes. Lavender oil's soothing properties may be beneficial for postpartum stress and skin irritation. However, postpartum skin can be more sensitive due to hormonal fluctuations, so patch testing is advisable before using products with essential oils. Oxidized lavender oil is more likely to cause sensitization, so products should be fresh and properly stored.
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil and trying to conceive
Caution Advised
- Hormone disruptor
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil's potential endocrine-disrupting properties raise concerns for women trying to conceive. Hormonal balance is critical for fertility, and substances that interfere with estrogen or androgen signaling could theoretically affect ovulation, implantation, or early pregnancy development. While there are no direct studies on lavender oil and fertility outcomes, many fertility specialists recommend avoiding substances with known or suspected hormonal activity during the preconception period. Since conception timing is often uncertain, it's prudent to treat the TTC period similarly to early pregnancy. Consider discontinuing regular use of lavender-containing products when actively trying to conceive, or limit use to occasional rinse-off applications.
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil and PCOS
Caution Advised
- Interferes with hormones
- Mimics androgens
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil has demonstrated both estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity in research studies. For women with PCOS, who already have hormonal imbalances involving elevated androgens, lavender oil's hormonal effects are concerning and unpredictable. While lavender's anti-androgenic properties might theoretically benefit PCOS symptoms like excess hair growth, the lack of controlled studies and potential for disrupting an already delicate hormonal balance makes it risky. The documented cases of gynecomastia in children suggest that lavender's hormonal effects can be significant. Women with PCOS should be cautious about adding substances with hormone-like activity to their routines. Some women with PCOS may benefit from lavender's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties for acne management, but the hormonal concerns outweigh these benefits. Dermatologists treating PCOS-related skin issues typically recommend ingredients with better-studied hormonal safety profiles. If you have PCOS and want to use lavender-containing products, consult with your healthcare provider and consider alternatives with proven PCOS safety.
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil and general use
Caution Advised
- Common allergen
- Endocrine disruptor
- Increases sun sensitivity
Lavandula Officinalis Flower Oil is one of the most popular essential oils in cosmetics, valued for its pleasant scent and calming properties. However, it's also one of the more problematic essential oils from a dermatological perspective due to multiple sensitization concerns and potential hormonal effects. The major concerns include allergic contact dermatitis from linalool and linalyl acetate, which are abundant in lavender oil and become more allergenic when oxidized by air exposure. The SCCS has classified oxidized linalool as a contact allergen. Additionally, research has documented estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity of lavender oil in cell studies and case reports of prepubertal gynecomastia in boys using lavender-containing products. Essential oils can also cause photosensitivity, increasing sunburn risk, and may generate reactive oxygen species that damage skin over time. The EU requires labeling of linalool when present above certain thresholds. IFRA has set usage limits for lavender oil in specific product categories. While occasional use is unlikely to cause problems in most people, those with sensitive skin, hormonal conditions, or allergies should avoid lavender oil. Dermatologists increasingly recommend fragrance-free products, and lavender oil is among the fragrances most commonly associated with allergic reactions. If you enjoy lavender scent, consider using it in rinse-off products rather than leave-on treatments, and always patch test first.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
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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 .
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