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Lavender Oil

Watch if sensitive·Strong evidence·INCI: Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Lavender essential oil naturally contains linalool, geraniol, and coumarin, several of the recognized fragrance allergen constituents, so it can trigger contact reactions in fragrance-sensitive users even though it is a "natural" ingredient. It is not a general hazard for most people, but those with a known fragrance allergy should treat it like any other essential oil.

Worth knowing

  • EU-labelled fragrance allergen
  • Known contact sensitizer for some

Gentler alternatives

Questions

Does lavender oil count as a fragrance allergen?
Yes. Lavender essential oil naturally contains linalool, geraniol, and coumarin, several of the recognized fragrance allergen constituents that regulators require to be disclosed above certain concentrations.
Is "natural" lavender oil safer for skin than synthetic fragrance?
Not necessarily from an allergy standpoint. The same constituents that give lavender its scent are recognized sensitizers whether the source is a plant or a lab, so a fragrance-sensitive person can react to either.

Products with Lavender Oil

In our guides

References

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.