Is lavender oil good for seborrheic dermatitis?

There is no clinical evidence that lavender oil improves seborrheic dermatitis. In fact, a Korean study showed that lavender oil had zero activity against Malassezia furfur. However, some people use lavender oil for seborrheic dermatitis to help soothe the skin, relieve inflammation and itching. The scent of lavender oil may also relax you, reducing stress levels. 

Let’s take a deep dive:

What is lavender oil?

Lavender oil is a type of essential oil that comes from the lavender plant. It’s made by steam distillation of fresh or partially dried lavender. The oil has a sweet, floral scent and is often used in aromatherapy.

Lavender oil can also be used in products like lotions or as a rub. You can easily mix a few drops of lavender oil in your toner, cleanser or moisturizer to reap its benefits.

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Is lavender oil antifungal?

Lavender oil has been studied against many strains of fungus and most definitely have antifungal activity. A 2020 study found that lavender oil had strong anti-fungal activity against Malassezia pachydermatis. Other studies showed that lavender essential oil was active against Candida infections.

Unfortunately, a Korean study tested 2 different strains of lavender and ylang ylang (in total 108 essential oils) and found lavender essential oil had no antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur, the yeast that plays a big role in seborrheic dermatitis.

Benefits of lavender oil

There is a lot of buzz around lavender oil these days, and for good reason! This natural oil has many benefits that can improve our lives in a number of ways. For example, lavender oil can help us get a good night’s sleep, make us feel rested and relaxed when we spoon with our partner at night, and even increase hair growth.

Is lavender oil good for seborrheic dermatitis?

There are no studies showing lavender oil can improve seborrheic dermatitis. However, this natural remedy has great potential to improve the lives of those suffering from this condition.

While clearly not an anti-fungal treatment for seborrheic dermatitis, lavender oil can help to relieve symptoms of SD like itching and redness.

Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties which can help to reduce inflammation on the skin. It also helps to soothe and calm the scalp, which can reduce itching and irritation.

In addition to using lavender oil alone, it can be combined with other natural remedies such as tea tree oil or oregano oil. If you are using essential oils, be sure to dilute them with a safe carrier oil before applying them directly to the skin.

Side effects of lavender oil

The most common side effects of topically applied lavender oil are burning, redness and hair loss (if applied on the scalp). Some people may also get allergic reactions to lavender oil.

As always, when trying out a new essential oil, do a patch test first and discontinue use if you see any skin reactions.

What is the best way to use lavender oil for seborrheic dermatitis?

You can add a few drops of lavender oil to almost anything in your skincare arsenal. Lavender oil is an astringent and is perfect added to your toner to regulate sebum production.

You can even add lavender oil to your Avene facial spray for a relaxing spritz or to your moisturizer of choice for its soothing effects.

I add lavender oil to my shampoo and conditioner, leaving my hair smelling absolutely divine.

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To wrap up

Lavender oil is a popular alternative treatment for seborrheic dermatitis, but it has not been studied or proven. These are some other essential oils that may be helpful for seborrheic dermatitis.

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