Lavender oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils around. From skincare products to stress-relieving blends, this oil finds its way into almost everything. Known for its calming and soothing properties, lavender oil is a favorite in aromatherapy, skincare, lip care, hair care and even in household cleaning products. Its versatility and gentle nature make it a staple ingredient, celebrated across cultures for its refreshing scent and therapeutic benefits. But what makes this oil so special, and how is organic lavender oil actually made?
There’s something fascinating about knowing the journey of a product, especially to the intriguing mind and especially for something as popular as lavender oil. When you discover the process behind it, from the careful cultivation of lavender plants to the delicate extraction of their fragrant oils, it will make you appreciate your bottle of lavender oil even more. Plus, understanding how organic lavender oil is made—step by step—helps you realize why it’s such a prized ingredient in wellness and skincare. It’s all about seeing the passion and precision that goes into creating something so beneficial.
A Little Bit About Lavender Plant and Lavender Flower
The lavender plant, part of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, is a fragrant herb that’s easily recognized by its slender stalks and vibrant purple flowers. Native to the Mediterranean region, lavender has been cherished for centuries for its soothing aroma and numerous health benefits. The lavender flower itself contains tiny glands that store essential oils, which are responsible for its unique fragrance. These flowers are not only beautiful but also packed with natural compounds that provide calming, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making lavender a staple in aromatherapy, skincare, and wellness.
How Organic Lavender Oil is Made?
Let’s go through the steps of making organic lavender oil in a way that’s easy to understand! Lavender oil is made from lavender flowers, and making it takes a careful process to keep it pure and natural. Here’s how it’s done, step by step:
Step 1: Growing Organic Lavender
Farmers carefully grow lavender plants. They don’t use any chemicals or pesticides—just water, sunlight, and natural care. This way, the lavender is clean and safe, which is what “organic” means.
Plants are harvested when they’re ready. Lavender flowers are usually cut in the morning when their scent is the strongest.
Step 2: Drying the Lavender
The flowers are laid out to dry. Drying the flowers helps get rid of extra water in the plant, which makes it easier to get the oil out.
Drying keeps the oil inside the flowers protected. This way, the scent and properties of the lavender are kept safe until the next step.
Step 3: Steam Distillation (The Main Part)
The dried lavender flowers go into a special machine. This machine is called a distiller, and it uses steam to pull out the oil from the flowers.
Steam goes through the flowers. When hot steam passes through the lavender flowers, it helps release the oils trapped inside.
Steam and oil turn into vapor together. This steam-and-oil mix then goes through a cooling tube where it turns into a liquid again.
Step 4: Separating the Oil from Water
The liquid collected has both oil and water. Once cooled, the liquid is collected, but it has both lavender oil and water.
The oil and water naturally separate. Lavender oil floats on top, while the water (called lavender hydrosol) sinks to the bottom.
The pure lavender oil is skimmed off. The oil on top is collected carefully to keep it pure, and this is our organic lavender essential oil!
Step 5: Bottling and Storing the Lavender Oil
The oil is put in dark glass bottles. This keeps it safe from sunlight and air, which could weaken the oil.
Stored until it’s ready to be used. Now the lavender oil is ready to be used in products or on its own for its amazing benefits!
And that’s it! Now you know how organic lavender oil is made, all the way from the farm to the bottle.
How Organic Lavender Oil is Made at Home?
Making lavender oil at home is a simple, but enjoyable process. While it’s not as strong as essential oil from a distillery, homemade lavender oil is fragrant and perfect for personal use in skin care or around the home. Let’s go through the steps to make lavender oil at home!
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Fresh or dried lavender flowers: Either works, but dried flowers are often preferred because they have less water content, helping the oil last longer.
Carrier oil: Use a light oil like olive oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil. The carrier oil helps to extract and hold the lavender’s fragrance and properties.
A glass jar with a lid: Choose a clean, dry glass jar to store your oil mixture while it infuses.
Dark glass bottle (for storing): This protects the oil from light once it’s ready.
Step 2: Prepare the Lavender
Fill the jar about halfway with lavender flowers.
If you’re using fresh lavender, remove the flowers from the stems and let them dry for a few days to reduce moisture.
If using dried lavender, you can skip the drying process and move straight to infusing.
Step 3: Add the Carrier Oil
Pour the carrier oil over the lavender flowers until they’re completely covered.
Make sure the flowers are submerged in oil to prevent mold from forming.
You can give it a gentle stir to make sure the oil reaches all parts of the lavender.
Step 4: Infuse the Lavender
Seal the jar tightly and place it in a sunny spot.
Let the mixture sit for 2-4 weeks, allowing the lavender scent and properties to infuse into the oil. You can shake the jar gently every few days to help the process.
The warmth from the sun speeds up the infusion, but be sure to keep it somewhere safe where it won’t be disturbed.
Step 5: Strain the Oil
After a few weeks, strain the oil.
Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate the lavender flowers from the oil.
Squeeze out as much oil as possible to get all that lavender goodness.
Step 6: Bottle and Store
Transfer the infused oil to a dark glass bottle for storage.
This protects the oil from light, helping it last longer.
Store the oil in a cool, dark place, and it should last for 6-12 months.
And that’s it! Now you have your own homemade lavender-infused oil, perfect for skin care, adding to baths, or even as a calming massage oil.
How to Check Organic Lavender Oil?
To check if your lavender oil is truly organic, here are a few helpful tips:
- Look for Certifications
Organic Certifications: Look for certifications from organizations that are considered company or product standard, such as USDA Organic, Ecocert, or Soil Association. These labels mean that the lavender was grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Essential Oil Quality Certifications: Some brands may also have certifications like ISO (International Standards Organization) or GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) testing results, which confirm purity and quality.
- Read the Label Carefully
The label should specify “100% Pure Organic Lavender Oil” or similar wording. Make sure there are no additional ingredients or fillers mentioned on the label, as true organic essential oils are undiluted and purely extracted.
Check for the botanical name (e.g., Lavandula angustifolia). Organic products will often list the species name to distinguish authentic lavender from other varieties.
- Check the Price
Organic essential oils tend to be more expensive than conventional ones because of the farming and certification processes. If the price seems very low, it might not be genuinely organic or pure.
- Research the Brand
Reliable brands will often provide information about their sourcing practices, such as the location of their lavender farms, the distillation process, and their sustainability practices. Look for companies that are transparent about where and how their lavender is grown and processed.
- Smell and Consistency Test
Genuine organic lavender oil has a fresh, floral, and slightly herbaceous scent. If it smells overly sweet or artificial, it may be mixed with synthetic additives.
Organic lavender oil should be light and absorb easily without feeling greasy. If it feels heavy or sticky, it could be a sign that it’s mixed with other oils.
- Check for Expiry Date
Quality organic lavender oil will usually have an expiration date. Essential oils are naturally potent and should have a clear shelf life—usually around 1-2 years when stored properly. Lack of an expiry date can be a red flag for authenticity.
These steps can help you confidently verify if the lavender oil you’re buying is truly organic, ensuring you get the best quality for your skin care and aromatherapy needs!
Conclusion
Organic lavender oil is a prized essential oil celebrated for its purity, therapeutic benefits, and versatile uses in wellness and skincare. Understanding how it’s made—from the lavender plant to the final distillation—adds to its charm and value. By knowing how to check for organic certifications and purity, you can enjoy the authentic, calming qualities of lavender oil in your daily routines.