Lavandin is often get confused with lavender but is there a difference?!
Lavender oil is probably one of the most popular essential oils on the market. It has been used for centuries due to its pleasant smell and versatility in health benefits. It occupies a prominent place in holistic medicine. People use it to relieve headaches, fight anxiety, help solve skin problems, promote a good night’s sleep, and so on. However, the price range of lavender can differ significantly, even for seemingly the same products. That is because a lot of the essential oils marked “lavender” are actually not 100% pure lavender.
This is due to the cost of producing essential oils.
100% pure oil is derived from the plant Lavandula angustifolia. But it is a very costly process, as it takes a lot of lavender flowers to extract a small amount of oil. That’s why, to cut the cost of production, companies mix it with other types of lavender plants or with lavandin. Lavandin, whose botanical name is Lavandula hybrida, is a hybrid plant. Those essential oils are not considered to be 100% pure and cost significantly less.
Lavandin is a hybrid of two specific lavender species: Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia.
So is it worth paying more, or should you save your money?
What is Lavandin Essential Oil
lavender flowers
Both essential oils are derived from the lavender plant, but pure lavender oil is extracted from true lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, while lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is actually a hybrid of true lavender and “spike” lavender, Lavandula latifolia. Lavandin typically features multiple flower heads per stem, in contrast to lavender, which usually has a single flower head.
While still 100% natural, lavandin oil is not considered to be pure lavender oil.
The main difference between the two oils is that lavandin has a sharper, stronger smell, which makes it ideal to be used in a variety of household products.
The hybrid occurred naturally in France thanks to cross-pollination when bees carried the pollen from the true lavender plants, growing at higher altitudes, and mixed it with the spike lavender, growing at lower altitudes.
It quickly gained popularity. Farmers found out that lavender contains less than half the oil yield of the lavandin plant. Lavandin produces approximately three times more oil per kilo than Lavandula angustifolia. That’s why it started to be used in production as a cheaper alternative to lavender oil.
Various species within the Lavandula genus, commonly referred to as lavenders, have been prized for their aromatic properties and historical significance in perfumery from ancient Roman and Egyptian cultures. Companies started to use lavandin oil to add to cheaper mass-market products such as detergents, soaps, shower gels, etc. Later on, due to its strong and crisp fragrance, it became very popular as a key ingredient in house sprays and car fresheners.
Benefits of Lavandin Essential Oil
Lavandin essential oil offers a range of benefits, making it a popular choice for aromatherapy and skincare. Its unique properties make it an excellent addition to various products, from beauty treatments to household cleaners.
Skincare Properties
Lavandin essential oil is rich in active ingredients, including linalool, linalyl acetate, camphor, and cineol. These compounds provide numerous skincare benefits, such as:
Anti-aging properties: Lavandin essential oil helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, giving your skin a youthful glow.
Cleansing properties: As a natural astringent, it cleanses pores and removes excess dirt without stripping your skin of its natural oils.
Healing properties: Its antiseptic and antimicrobial qualities make it effective in treating wounds and preventing infections.
Soothing properties: Lavandin essential oil hydrates the skin, relieving dryness and flakiness.
When diluted with a carrier oil, lavandin essential oil can be used to treat various skin issues, such as acne, minor cuts, and scrapes.
Aromatherapy Healing
Lavandin essential oil is an excellent choice for aromatherapy due to its calming and uplifting properties. It can help:
Reduce anxiety and stress: The soothing aroma promotes relaxation, calming both the mind and body.
Improve sleep: Lavandin essential oil encourages restful sleep, making it a great aid for those struggling with insomnia.
Boost mood: Its uplifting scent can improve focus and increase energy levels.
When used in a diffuser or oil burner, lavandin essential oil can create a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
Uses of Lavandin Essential Oil
Lavandin essential oil is a versatile oil that can be used in various ways:
Skincare: Add a few drops to your skincare routine to reap its benefits.
Aromatherapy: Use in a diffuser or oil burner to create a calming atmosphere.
Household cleaning: Add to cleaning products for its antimicrobial properties.
Insect repellent: Lavandin essential oil is effective at repelling moths and insects.
When using lavandin essential oil, always dilute it with a carrier oil and perform a patch test to ensure skin safety.
Precautions and Contraindications
While lavandin essential oil is generally considered safe, there are some precautions and contraindications to be aware of:
Pregnant and nursing women: Consult a medical professional before using lavandin essential oil.
People with heart-related conditions, hormone-related ailments, epilepsy, skin disorders, or allergies: Avoid using lavandin essential oil or consult a medical professional.
Skin sensitivity: Always dilute with a carrier oil and perform a patch test before using lavandin essential oil on the skin.
Driving and operating machinery: Avoid using lavandin essential oil when driving or operating machinery, as it can cause drowsiness.
By following these guidelines and using lavandin essential oil responsibly, you can enjoy its numerous benefits while ensuring your safety and well-being.
Lavender Species vs Lavandin
lavender oil
Lavandin shares some of the benefits with more expensive lavender oil such as it is said to be good to clear nose congestion and add a nice fresh scent to the house. Lavandin is also an excellent choice for creating lavender bags due to its strong scent, making it suitable for use in scented linens.
But there are some key differences that might make you consider choosing pure lavender oil over the one mixed with lavandin.
Despite having its benefits, lavandin is quite different from 100% pure lavender oil.
First of all, unlike true lavender oil, it is considered more stimulating than calming, which might not be ideal if you choose it to aid sleep and relieve anxiety.
Another important thing to consider is the composition of both oils.
Pure lavender oil’s main ingredients are linalyl acetate and linalool, which make it a great product to help with skin irritation problems such as acne, irritation, scarring, and burns. It can be used directly on the skin (though to use it on the sensitive parts of the skin, you would still want to mix it with the carrier oil).
Lavandin, as opposed to pure lavender oil, also contains a significantly large amount of camphor. For example, lavender contains 0% to 0.6% camphor, while Lavandin contains 6% to 10%. That makes Lavandin quite dangerous to be used on broken or burned skin. Instead of soothing and promoting healing, it can actually worsen the symptoms and cause more scarring.
In fact, it is not advised to use lavandin oil directly on the skin, even when mixed with a carrier oil. True lavenders, specifically Lavandula angustifolia, are popular in the aromatherapy industry for their delicate and sweet scent, and they can be paired with other fragrances for added enjoyment.
Conclusion
While both essential oils are good, it is very important to choose the right one depending on what results you want to achieve.
But to get the most out of the essential oil, make sure that you always choose high-quality, pure essential oil and follow the guidelines for safe and beneficial use.
Note!
While it is considered rare, there is still a possibility of an allergic reaction to both lavender and lavandin oil. If you are not sure, consult your physician and discontinue use if you start having any adverse reactions.