Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Lavender Essential Oil

Updated January 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Pranarom  Lavender Essential Oil
Pranarom
Lavender Essential Oil
Check Price
Best lavender oil
Bottom Line

This is a therapeutic-grade lavender essential oil harvested from France and intended for diffusing and topical application.

Pros

It’s a clean, refreshing floral scent that promotes calm and relaxation. It’s certified organic, harvested thoughtfully and extracted through steam distillation. It doesn’t contain any additives and can be used independently or diluted with a carrier oil.

Cons

It's a bit pricier than some lavender oils, but it’s worth spending more on natural, organic ingredients.

Best Bang for the Buck
Now Foods  Lavender Essential Oil
Now Foods
Lavender Essential Oil
Check Price
Best lavender oil for the money
Bottom Line

This option is 100% pure, responsibly sourced and steam-distilled lavender essential oil at a cheaper cost than oils of similar quality.

Pros

It’s organic and tested for purity and high quality. It can be used for aromatherapy or diluted with a carrier oil for topical use.

Cons

Some users have expressed concern that the scent of this oil is intense and different from the scent of pricier oils, but it receives largely positive reviews.

Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil
Majestic Pure
Lavender Essential Oil
Check Price
Most Versatile
Bottom Line

A natural blend of two strains of lavender with many uses.

Pros

The quality is consistent across the board. Has anti-inflammatory properties. Many said the aroma helped reduce their muscle stiffness. Comes with 4 fluid ounces of oil and a glass dropper.

Cons

The smell fades quickly when used in a diffuser.

Cliganic USDA Organic Lavender Essential Oil
Cliganic
USDA Organic Lavender Essential Oil
Check Price
Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A natural oil that is certified organic and Non-GMO Project verified.

Pros

The amber bottle helps protect the oil from UV light and comes with a dropper cap to reduce the likelihood of spills. Meets PETA's cruelty-free requirements. A little goes a long way.

Cons

There are a few reports of people receiving mislabeled bottles.

Sky Organics Organic Lavender Essential Oil
Sky Organics
Organic Lavender Essential Oil
Check Price
Worth considering
Bottom Line

This is a USDA organic certified and 100% pure lavender essential oil.

Pros

It’s not tested on animals, has a soothing, floral scent and is designed to be diffused or used in natural DIY products like in the crafting of lotions or candles. It doesn’t include synthetic ingredients, fillers or additives.

Cons

Some users have reported an uncharacteristic smell.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
209
Consumers
Consulted
18
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for best lavender oil

Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils and is known for its wide range of uses and bright, floral scent. Lavender is a common addition to beauty and relaxation products like face scrubs, candles and massage products. Proponents believe it promotes relaxation and sleep and relieves tension and anxiety. 

Best lavender essential oil

Top lavender oil

Pranarom Lavender Essential Oil

What you need to know: This is a therapeutic-grade lavender essential oil harvested from France and intended for diffusing and topical application. 

What you’ll love: It’s a clean, refreshing floral scent that promotes calm and relaxation. It’s certified organic, harvested thoughtfully and extracted through steam distillation. It doesn’t contain any additives and can be used independently or diluted with a carrier oil.

What you should consider: It's a bit pricier than some lavender oils, but it’s worth spending more on natural, organic ingredients. 

Top lavender oil for the money

Now Foods Lavender Essential Oil 

What you need to know: This option is 100% pure, responsibly sourced and steam-distilled lavender essential oil at a cheaper cost than oils of similar quality.  

What you’ll love: It’s organic and tested for purity and high quality. It can be used for aromatherapy or diluted with a carrier oil for topical use. 

What you should consider: Some users have expressed concern that the scent of this oil is intense and different from the scent of pricier oils, but it receives largely positive reviews.

Worth considering 

Organic Lavender Essential Oil by Sky Organics

What you need to know: This is a USDA organic certified and 100% pure lavender essential oil. 

What you’ll love: It’s not tested on animals, has a soothing, floral scent and is designed to be diffused or used in natural DIY products like in the crafting of lotions or candles. It doesn’t include synthetic ingredients, fillers or additives. 

What you should consider: Some users have reported an uncharacteristic smell. 

What is lavender oil?

Lavender oil is a popular essential oil acclaimed for its versatility and range of applications, from aromatherapy to topical application and culinary use. 

There are two commonly used lavender species. Each has a slightly different chemical profile and, therefore, different properties. Choose which lavender essential oil to use based on your desired effects and results. 

Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) 

Lavandula angustifolia, commonly called English lavender, is a shrub native to the Mediterranean basin. This is the type of lavender that consumers seek out when they shop for lavender essential oil. You must check the label of any lavender oil to ensure that it has the Latin name Lavandula angustifolia. Otherwise, you could buy an unexpected or undesirable plant.  

English lavender is commonly applied topically to the skin, added to teas or used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety, treat minor insomnia and promote relaxation. 

Clinical studies have indicated that English lavender: 

Lavandula latifolia (spike lavender) 

The second commonly used species of lavender is Lavandula latifolia, or spike lavender.

Spike lavender has a spicier aroma than regular lavender and has been indicated to have the following benefits: 

  • Spike lavender has antiviral properties, making it useful for fighting the flu, healing scrapes, fighting acne and sanitizing surfaces.
  • Effective when used to treat sinus infections, as well as bronchitis, through diffusion and inhalation.

What should I look for in lavender oil?

Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil

Always check the label on your lavender essential oil bottle to ensure that the oil you’re buying is 100 percent Lavandula angustifolia essential oil. 

Cliganic Organic Aromatherapy Essential Oils Gift Set

Watch out for diluted, cheaper oils with carriers like coconut oil and sweet almond oil. While acceptable for topical applications, you should not use these oils in a diffuser. You’re usually better off buying pure, high-quality essential oils and diluting them to your own standards at home. 

Vivaplex Cobalt Blue Glass Bottles

Always purchase essential oils packaged in dark amber or cobalt bottles, as exposure to light can reduce their efficacy.

What does lavender oil do?

Aura Cacia Lavender Pure Essential Oil

Lavender oil has practically limitless potential uses, making it like a medicine cabinet in a bottle. If you use essential oils often, consider buying a quality brand in bulk to save money.

Bontip Glass Spray Bottle

Banish unwanted odors in your home by adding lavender oil to a spray bottle (mixed with water) and misting the spray into spaces in your home, car, linens or mattress that smell pungent and need to be cleansed and refreshed. 

ULG 48-Pack Essential Oil Roller Bottles

Add lavender oil to a carrier oil like almond oil or jojoba oil and keep it in a rollerball bottle next to your bed. Apply it to your temples before bed to fall asleep faster and sleep deeply. It’s also helpful to carry lavender oil with you in your purse to combat anxiety or elevate your mood on the go. 

ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser with Remote Control

Diffuse lavender in an essential oil diffuser in your office to keep calm and energized during your workday. 

Gya Labs Lavender Oil Essential Oil

Add lavender essential oil to your bath to add an extra element of soothing relaxation to your self-care routine. For ease of use, you can also find lavender oil in bath products like bubble bath, bath salt or lavender essential oil shampoo and conditioner. 

Is lavender oil safe to use?

As is the case with all essential oils, different individuals will react differently to lavender essential oil. Before using a lavender essential oil topically, apply a drop, diluted in a carrier oil, to a small patch of your skin and watch for irritation or reaction. 

Avoid using lavender oil near sensitive areas like your eyes, nose or inner ears. 

If you’re using lavender oil and experience nausea, vomiting or headache, immediately discontinue use. Never consume lavender oil without the advice of a doctor because there is a risk of toxicity. 

Never use lavender essential oil if you’re pregnant or nursing without consulting your doctor.