The benefits of lavender for the skin

Its essential oil has many virtues: calming, balancing, relaxing... It's a plant that brings serenity and well-being.
How to use this plant? What are the virtues of lavender? What are the benefits of lavender on the skin?

HISTORY OF LAVENDER

The name lavender comes from the Latin lavare, meaning to wash. The scent of lavender embodies cleanliness, clarity and freshness.

In ancient times, lavender, considered a precious plant, was used by the Romans as a perfume. Much appreciated for its clean scent, lavender was used to perfume linen and baths.

It wasn't until the Middle Ages that its therapeutic aspect was discovered. The plant was used to combat infectious diseases. It was thus to be found in monastery gardens alongside other medicinal plants, creating a sort of natural medicine cabinet.

It was scientists from Marseille and Montpellier in the 13th century who finally introduced lavender into the pharmacopoeia. Researchers extracted its active ingredients and used lavender in the form of an essential oil to treat nervous disorders, for example. Lavender baths were common and are still recommended for their relaxing effects.

The town of Grasse has also played a role in the history of lavender. It is historically known for its leather processing, and it was in the 18th century that a new trend was born: that of perfumed leather.

The guild of master perfumers became autonomous from that of the tanners, and this industry increased the demand for lavender and aromatic plants for perfume creation.

LAVENDER VARIETIES

There are several varieties of lavenderThere are more than twenty varieties, some of which are very similar. The first notable difference is the flowering date: not all plants flower at the same time.

Here are the 3 best-known varieties:

- True lavender, known as " lavande officinale " (Lavandula angustifolia): grows naturally in the garrigue of Provence at altitudes of between 800 and 1,400 meters. Used by perfumers for its scent. To recognize it, all you need to do is look closely at the colors of its spikes, which oscillate between mauve, blue and violet. This variety of lavender grows to no more than 50 cm in height, and can only be found at altitudes of over 800 meters. It is recognized for its healing and soothing properties.

- Lavender aspic, or lavandula latifolia or lavandula spica: its camphorated scent sets it apart from other lavender varieties. Its spikes are fairly short and gray-green in color, and the plant measures around 1 meter. You can admire this variety from June-July onwards.

- Lavandin, or lavandula latifolia X officinalis : is a cross between the two previous species. It grows at altitudes of between 200 and 800 meters, is 60 to 80 cm high and, unlike fine lavender, has very dense spikes. It is the most common species in southern France. You can easily recognize a field of lavandin because its flowers are uniform in color, whereas a field of lavender offers a gradation of purple.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAVENDER AND LAVANDIN?

Lavandin is mainly used for hygiene and cleaning products or to make cosmetics. It is also used in scented candles and home perfumes, as its strong camphorated scent spreads easily through a room. Its essential oil is used to improve sleep or disinfect wounds.

"True" lavender has a more subtle, floral fragrance. Its essential oil is used in cosmetics, perfumery and aromatherapy. Applied to the skin, it helps healing and acts on nervous problems.

Panier des Sens uses real lavender in its cosmetics: hand creams, body lotion, eau de toilette, shower gel, soaps, scented candles...

THE VIRTUES OF LAVENDER

Lavender essential oil has long been used to repair the skin. Sensitive skin loves it for its calming and soothing properties. But this beautiful Mediterranean plant has many other properties:

• Healing:Lavender essential oil helps the skin heal. It relieves sunburn as well as superficial burns and bee or wasp stings. A natural solution for pain relief and skin regeneration.
• Anti-stress: if lavender calms the skin, it also calms the mind: you can use a few drops of lavender essential oil to calm anxiety and reduce distress. A real de-stressant, it reduces nervousness and helps you fall asleep.
• Antibacterial: to relieve sinusitis, simply breathe a few drops of lavender essential oil into a handkerchief several times a day.
• Repellent: applied to the skin or hair,lavender aspic essential oil and floral water scare away mosquitoes, midges, moths, lice and fleas.
• Analgesic: lavender is a natural remedy for headaches: apply a few drops of "real" lavender essential oil to the temples and the pain will subside. This plant also helps reduce sore throats: in a herbal tea, with a little honey, lavender essential oil soothes the pain.

THE BENEFITS OF LAVENDER FOR THE SKIN

Lavender essential oil can be used to care for and moisturize body and facial skin. Find out how to use this plant to enjoy all its benefits:

On the face:

L'lavender essential oil is highly effective againstacne, eczema and psoriasis. Its properties antiseptics help eliminate bacteria and purify the skin. Also recommended for oily skin, essential oil helps rebalance the skin by regulating sebum.

A few drops of the oil, diluted, can soothe and relieve vulnerable areas and restore hydration. Lavender can also be used as a natural tonic: the water collected after infusing the flowers facilitates the cleansing of the skin. skin cleansingIt eliminates excess sebum and leaves skin feeling refreshed.

On the body:

Lavender, soothing and healing, is a must-have in your first-aid kit. Its essential oil helps relax muscles, relieve pain and heal wounds. To feel its effects, massage the area for a few minutes.

On the hair: A natural solution to greasy hair? Add a drop of lavender essential oil to your shampoo. Its action helps regulate sebum production and soothes the scalp. And it works for dry hair too! Lavender essential oil restores shine to hair.

For a repairing treatment: mix a drop of oil with your hair mask and leave on overnight. Lavender's repellent action protects against lice. Apply a small amount ofessential oil behind a child's ears, from age 3.

OUR LAVENDER COSMETICS COLLECTION

A timeless fragrance, elegant and natural, between art of living and cosmetics, naturalness and sensoriality, fragrance and benefits, this collection based on lavender essential oil highlights Provence through a range of fragrances. natural care. Emblematic of Provence, the lavender is distinguished by its unique, flowery, embalming scent. This fragrance of well-being and serenity is a genuine anti-stress treatment.

Body cleansers:

Enriched with shea oil, the natural extra-mild lavender shower care transforms into a fine, creamy foam on contact with water for a delicately scented shower of pleasure. To cleanse hands, this superfatted liquid soap is cooked in a cauldron in the purest Marseille tradition. Its formula contains 97% naturally-sourced ingredients.

Moisturizing care :

These formulas feature a key active ingredient: Shea Butter. It is rich in stearic acid and oleic acid. These fatty acids are known for their nourishing and protective properties. Lavender Natural Nourishing Body Lotion brings comfort and suppleness to daily use, thanks to its formula rich in Shea Butter and nourishing olive oil. It has been Dermatologically tested to ensure gentle, comfortable, deeply relaxing care.

Lavender Hand Cream contains 20% Shea Butter for an ultra-nourishing texture. It combines the nourishing benefits of olive oil with the natural fragrance of essential oils.

Natural fragrances:

The timeless, elegant and natural scent of lavendereau de toilette This unique creation from Grasse is a gentle invitation to the science of aromatherapy.

To perfume your home:

The lavender-scented bouquet creates a refined, enveloping ambience. The natural rattan sticks ensure gentle, even diffusion of the scent, which diffuses cold. The scented candle, rich in Relaxing Lavender essential oil, will scent your home for up to 55 hours, thanks to its unique wax blend that perfectly reproduces the concentrated fragrance.