How to Make Lavender Infused Oil (Easy DIY Recipe)
Making your own lavender infused oil is one of the easiest ways to incorporate lavender into your natural skincare routine. With just two simple ingredients, dried lavender flowers and a carrier oil, you can create a beautifully fragrant herbal oil that’s perfect for homemade skincare products, massage oils, lip balms, and more.
I love growing lavender in my garden, and making lavender-infused oil is one of my favorite ways to use my lavender harvest. It’s simple, affordable, and a wonderful addition to any natural skincare routine.
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Lavender Infused Oil Recipe
This easy lavender infused oil recipe uses the traditional method of slowly infusing dried lavender flowers in a carrier oil over several weeks.
Ingredients
- ½ cup dry lavender flowers (more or less depending on jar size)
- Approximately ¾ cup carrier oil (jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or olive oil)
Equipment
- 8 oz clean glass mason jar with lid
- Fine mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth
- Glass bottle or mason jar for storage
How to Make Lavender Infused Oil
Step 1: Cut & Prepare the Lavender
First either cut your lavender fresh from your garden or purchase organic lavender. Then hang them to dry for 3-4 weeks minimum. Alternatively you can purchase dried lavender. Make sure your lavender buds are completely dry before using them to prevent any moisture getting into the oil.
Step 2: Fill your jar
Add dried lavender buds to your clean, dry 8 oz mason jar or clean glass jar until it’s approximately halfway to two-thirds full. Gently crush a few buds between your fingers to release their fragrance.
Step 3: Add your carrier oil
Pour your chosen oil over the lavender until the flowers are completely submerged, leaving about ½ inch of headspace. Stir gently to release trapped air bubbles.
Step 4: Infuse
Secure the lid and place the jar in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 4–6 weeks. Gently shake or turn the jar every few days, keeping the lavender submerged.
Step 5: Strain
Once the infusion is complete, strain the flowers using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
Step 6: Store
Transfer your finished lavender oil to a clean, dry glass bottle and store in a cool, dark place.
What Is Lavender Infused Oil?
Lavender infused oil is an herbal infused oil made by steeping dried lavender flowers in a carrier oil. Over several weeks, some of the plant’s aromatic and oil-soluble compounds transfer into the oil.
Unlike lavender essential oil, which is produced through steam distillation, lavender-infused oil is much less concentrated and is ideal for homemade skincare products.
Best Carrier Oils for Lavender Infused Oil
The best carrier oil depends on your skin type and how you plan to use your infusion.
- Jojoba oil: Lightweight, moisturizing, and one of my favorite choices for facial skincare.
- Sweet almond oil: Nourishing and great for dry skin, massage oils, and body care products.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Affordable and ideal for homemade balms, salves, and body butters.
I personally love jojoba oil for facial skincare and olive oil or sweet almond oil for body care.
Lavender Infused Oil Benefits
Lavender has been used in traditional herbal preparations for centuries, particularly for its soothing aroma and skin care applications.
Here are a few potential benefits:
1. Moisturizes and nourishes skin. Depending on your carrier oil, lavender-infused oil can help soften dry skin and support the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
2. Contains soothing plant compounds. Lavender contains compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies. However, research specifically on homemade infused oils is limited.
3. Promotes relaxation. The soothing aroma of lavender is commonly associated with relaxation and bedtime routines. Lavender aromatherapy has shown promising calming effects in some studies, although infused oil is considerably less concentrated than essential oil.
Lavender Infused Oil Uses
There are so many ways to incorporate lavender-infused oil into your homemade skincare routine!
- Homemade Salves: I use salves almost weekly for anything from bug bites or insect bites to any localized skin issue.
- Diaper Rash Cream: I love using Infused Oils in my homemade diaper rash cream
- Body oil: Massage onto slightly damp skin after showering to help lock in moisture.
- Body butters: Add to homemade whipped tallow balms or body butters.
- Lip balms: Replace some of the carrier oil in your favorite homemade lip balm recipe.
- Cuticle oil: Massage a few drops into dry cuticles and nails.
Lavender-infused oil also makes a beautiful homemade gift when packaged in small dark glass bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make infused oils faster or does infusion always take 4-6 weeks?
Yes! You can use a gentle warm infusion method with a double boiler or water bath over several hours. However, I prefer the traditional method because it’s simple and requires no heat.
What is the shelf life of homemade lavender oil?
I recommend using homemade lavender-infused oil within approximately 3–6 months, or sooner if your carrier oil expires. Store it in a cool, dark place and discard it if you notice mold, moisture, or an unusual smell. This timeframe is a conservative guideline, not a guarantee of safety.
Can this oil be applied directly to skin?
Yes! Lavender-infused oil can generally be applied directly to intact skin. However, always perform a patch test first, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions.
Is lavender infused oil the same as lavender essential oil?
No. Lavender essential oil is a concentrated extract produced through steam distillation, while lavender-infused oil is made by steeping dried lavender flowers in a carrier oil. Infused oil is much less concentrated and is wonderful for everyday skincare.
More Reader Favorite Lavender Recipes
If you love this recipe then check out some of my other tallow skincare recipes:
If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @wholisticmandy on Instagram. Your reviews help support this blog and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.
Lavender Infused Oil
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried lavender buds more or less depending on jar size
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- First either cut your lavender fresh from your garden or purchase organic lavender. Then hang them to dry for 3-4 weeks minimum. Alternatively you can purchase dried lavender. Make sure your lavender buds are completely dry before using them to prevent any moisture getting into the oil.
- Add dried lavender buds to your clean, dry 8 oz mason jar until it's approximately two-thirds full.
- Pour your chosen oil over the lavender until the flowers are completely submerged, leaving about ½ inch of headspace. Stir gently to release trapped air bubbles.
- Secure the lid and place the jar in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 4–6 weeks. Gently shake or turn the jar every few days, keeping the lavender submerged.
- Once the infusion is complete, strain the flowers using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
- Transfer your finished lavender oil to a clean, dry glass bottle and store in a cool, dark place.
Notes
- Use completely dried lavender. Fresh lavender contains moisture that can encourage mold and spoilage. Always use thoroughly dried lavender buds.
- Choose the right carrier oil. Jojoba oil is wonderful for facial skincare, sweet almond oil for body care, and olive oil for homemade balms and salves.
- Keep the lavender submerged. Make sure all the flowers remain covered in oil throughout the infusion process.
- Store away from sunlight. Keep your mason jar in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks to protect the oil and preserve its quality.
- Use clean, dry equipment. Make sure your jars, utensils, and storage bottles are completely dry to prevent moisture from entering the oil.
- Store properly. Transfer the strained oil to a dark glass bottle and aim to use it within 3–6 months, or sooner if your carrier oil expires. Discard it if you notice signs of spoilage.
