Lavender

At ORY^®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about lavender flower and lavender-infused oil. Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.

Please note: Some studies on this page tested lavender oil for wounds and for hair loss, which are medical uses. We share them for transparency. ORY^® lavender products are cosmetics and are not intended to treat any condition.

1. General Description and Role

Verification: Supported, with caveats. Most lavender research uses the essential oil, which is far more concentrated than an infused oil. Reviews describe antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, mainly from lab and animal studies. We found no CIR safety assessment for lavender ingredients.

Citations:

• • Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
    • What it shows: Review of lavender essential oil.

2. Composition and Production

Verification: Supported. Lavender chemistry is well documented. Linalool can oxidize into stronger allergens over time. ORY^® infused oils are made by steeping dried plant material in a carrier oil. The carrier oil makes up most of the finished product, so its own properties matter as much as the botanical’s — including allergy: nut-derived carrier oils such as sweet almond oil may not suit people with tree-nut allergies.

Citations:

• • Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
    • What it shows: Describes lavender compounds.
  • de Groot, A. C. (2020). Fragrances: Contact allergy and other adverse effects. Dermatitis, 31(1), 13–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/DER.0000000000000463
    • What it shows: Describes linalool and its oxidation products as allergens.

3. Skin Type Suitability

Verification: Supported, with caveats. Lavender and oxidized linalool are recognized fragrance allergens.

Citations:

• • de Groot, A. C. (2020). Fragrances: Contact allergy and other adverse effects. Dermatitis, 31(1), 13–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/DER.0000000000000463
    • What it shows: Review of fragrance allergy.

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

Verification: Limited evidence. A 7-month randomized trial in 86 people with alopecia areata found that a blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood essential oils massaged into the scalp improved hair regrowth more than carrier oil alone. The study used a blend, so it cannot be credited to lavender. A mouse study found lavender oil increased hair follicles. Hair-growth and hair-loss claims are drug claims, and ORY^® products are not intended to grow hair.

Citations:

• • Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy: Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology, 134(11), 1349–1352. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349
    • What it shows: Alopecia areata trial of an essential-oil blend (a medical use).
  • Lee, B. H., Lee, J. S., & Kim, Y. C. (2016). Hair growth-promoting effects of lavender oil in C57BL/6 mice. Toxicological Research, 32(2), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103
    • What it shows: Mouse study.
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 310.527 — Drug products offered over-the-counter for external use as hair growers or for hair loss prevention. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/310.527
    • What it shows: FDA treats hair-growth and hair-loss products as drugs.

5. Benefits

Verification: Supported, with caveats. Emollient benefits come mostly from the carrier oil. In rats, 1% lavender essential oil applied to wounds sped up healing; wound care is a medical use. ORY^® does not make antimicrobial, acne, wound, insect-bite, sleep, or anxiety claims.

Citations:

• • Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
    • What it shows: Review of reported activity.
  • Mori, H. M., Kawanami, H., Kawahata, H., & Aoki, M. (2016). Wound healing potential of lavender oil by acceleration of granulation and wound contraction through induction of TGF-β in a rat model. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16, 144. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1128-7
    • What it shows: Rat wound study.

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines

Verification: Supported, with caveats. FDA has not yet published its fragrance allergen labeling rule under MoCRA (as of September 2026); ORY^® will follow it when issued. Lavender buds turn brown in soap, so they are used on top of bars.

Citations:

• • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Fragrance allergen labeling for cosmetics (MoCRA rulemaking, RIN 0910-AI90). As of September 2026, no proposed or final rule had been published. https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202404&RIN=0910-AI90
    • What it shows: Status of fragrance allergen labeling rule.
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap
    • What it shows: FDA explains how soap is regulated.

7. Pros

Verification: Supported, with caveats. Infusions contain far less of the fragrance compounds than essential oil.

Citations:

• • Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
    • What it shows: Review.

8. Cons

Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:

• • Fragrance allergy. Linalool oxidizes into stronger allergens; keep oils fresh.
  • Evidence gaps. Studies used essential oil, oil blends, or animals.
  • Hormone questions. Case reports linked repeated use of lavender and tea tree products to breast growth in young boys, with weak hormone-like effects in lab tests. The evidence is limited, but ORY^® does not market lavender oils for young children.
  • No CIR assessment. No independent cosmetic safety review found.

Citations:

• • de Groot, A. C. (2020). Fragrances: Contact allergy and other adverse effects. Dermatitis, 31(1), 13–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/DER.0000000000000463
    • What it shows: Fragrance allergy.
  • Henley, D. V., Lipson, N., Korach, K. S., & Bloch, C. A. (2007). Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(5), 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa064725
    • What it shows: Case reports and lab tests.

9. Safety Notes

Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:

• • Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
  • If you are allergic to fragrance, patch test carefully or avoid this product.
  • If you have a tree-nut allergy, check the carrier oil before use.
  • Store infused oils away from heat and light, and discard them if they smell rancid.
  • Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
  • For external use only. Avoid the eyes. Do not use on broken or seriously damaged skin.
  • If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.

Citations:

• • de Groot, A. C. (2020). Fragrances: Contact allergy and other adverse effects. Dermatitis, 31(1), 13–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/DER.0000000000000463
    • What it shows: Fragrance allergy.
  • Henley, D. V., Lipson, N., Korach, K. S., & Bloch, C. A. (2007). Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(5), 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa064725
    • What it shows: Case reports in children.

10. Product-line notes

• • ORY^® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
  • ORY^® Haircare: Designed for scalp comfort and the look and feel of hair. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss. If you notice sudden shedding or a persistent itchy, flaking scalp, see a dermatologist.
  • ORY^® Handmade Soap: Handmade soap is naturally alkaline, and each bar may vary slightly in color, scent, and texture. Not intended to treat eczema or any skin condition.
  • ORY^® Cosmetics: Lip products are not intended to treat or protect chapped or cracked lips. Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.

11. References

Peer-reviewed research

• • Cavanagh, H. M. A., & Wilkinson, J. M. (2002). Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 16(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
  • de Groot, A. C. (2020). Fragrances: Contact allergy and other adverse effects. Dermatitis, 31(1), 13–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/DER.0000000000000463
  • Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy: Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology, 134(11), 1349–1352. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349
  • Henley, D. V., Lipson, N., Korach, K. S., & Bloch, C. A. (2007). Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(5), 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa064725
  • Lee, B. H., Lee, J. S., & Kim, Y. C. (2016). Hair growth-promoting effects of lavender oil in C57BL/6 mice. Toxicological Research, 32(2), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103
  • Mori, H. M., Kawanami, H., Kawahata, H., & Aoki, M. (2016). Wound healing potential of lavender oil by acceleration of granulation and wound contraction through induction of TGF-β in a rat model. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16, 144. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1128-7

Government and regulatory sources

• • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 310.527 — Drug products offered over-the-counter for external use as hair growers or for hair loss prevention. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/310.527
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Fragrance allergen labeling for cosmetics (MoCRA rulemaking, RIN 0910-AI90). As of September 2026, no proposed or final rule had been published. https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202404&RIN=0910-AI90
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap