French Lavender Essential Oil

• Product Name: Lavender Essential Oil
• INCI Name: Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil
• Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia (synonym Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula vera)
• CAS Number: 8000-28-0 ; 90063-37-9
• Part Used: Flowers
• Extraction Method: Steam Distilled Essential Oil
• Quality: 100% Pure and Natural — no carrier oils, fillers, or synthetics
• Note Classification: Middle to Top Note
• Appearance: Colourless to pale yellow clear, mobile liquid
• Odour: Very fresh, sweet, green-floral, herbaceous aroma
• Refractive Index: 1.458 – 1.464 @ 20°C
• Specific Gravity: 0.877 – 0.890 g/mL @ 20°C
• Optical Rotation: -11° to -7°
• Solubility: Soluble in alcohols and fixed oils; insoluble in water
• Stability & Storage: Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place protected from sunlight. Shelf life 36 months; quality should be checked before use beyond this period
• IFRA Compliance: Certified compliant to the 51st Amendment to IFRA Standards (July 2023)
• Documents Available: TDS, IFRA Certificate of Conformity, MSDS

MICROBIAL & PURITY TESTING

• Aerobic Mesophilic Bacterial Count: <100 CFU/g (ISO 21149)
• Yeast and Mould: <10 CFU/g (ISO 16212)
• Candida albicans: Absent / 1g (ISO 18416)
• Escherichia coli: Absent / 1g (ISO 21150)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Absent / 1g (ISO 22717)
• Staphylococcus aureus: Absent / 1g (ISO 22718)
• Lead (Pb): <10 ppm
• Arsenic (As): <2 ppm
• Mercury (Hg): <1 ppm

IFRA USAGE RATES (Maximum Concentration by Category)

This product is certified compliant with IFRA 51st Amendment standards. Maximum usage rates by product category:

• Category 1 (Lip products, children's toys): 13.50%
• Category 2 (Deodorants, body sprays, axillae): 4.00%
• Category 3 (Eye products, facial makeup, face/body wipes): 80.00%
• Category 4 (Fine fragrance, Eau de Toilette, aftershave): 75.00%
• Category 5A (Body creams, lotions, oils — leave-on): 19.00%
• Category 5B (Face moisturisers — leave-on): 19.00%
• Category 5C (Hand creams — leave-on): 19.00%
• Category 5D (Baby creams, baby oils, baby talc): 17.00%
• Category 6 (Toothpaste, mouthwash — oral exposure): 12.00%
• Category 7A (Rinse-off hair products): 90.00%
• Category 7B (Leave-on hair products, hair sprays): 90.00%
• Category 8 (Intimate products, baby wipes): 8.00%
• Category 9 (Bar soap, shampoo, body wash, bath bombs, shaving — rinse-off): 100.00%
• Category 10A (Household cleaners, reed diffusers, oil burners): 100.00%
• Category 10B (Household aerosols, air fresheners): 100.00%
• Category 11A (Feminine hygiene pads, diapers — no UV): 17.50%
• Category 11B (Facial tissues, pillow sprays, with UV exposure): 17.50%
• Category 12 (Candles, non-skin contact products): 100.00%

Note: Category 9 (rinse-off — includes cold process soap, shampoo, body wash, bath bombs) allows up to 100% use rate, meaning this oil is unrestricted in soap making applications when used per IFRA guidelines.

• One of the most universally loved essential oil scents — calming, floral, and widely appealing to all demographics
• Middle-to-top note classification makes it excellent for blending — it bridges top and base notes naturally
• Valued in aromatherapy for calming, stress-relief, and sleep support properties
• Highly versatile across product categories — from soap and candles to skincare and diffusers
• IFRA compliant to 51st Amendment — suitable for professional cosmetic formulation with documented safety data
• Unrestricted usage rate in rinse-off applications including cold process soap, shampoo, body wash, and bath bombs (Category 9: 100%)
• High maximum usage rates in fine fragrance (75%) and leave-on body products (19%) — suitable for premium perfume and skincare lines
• Fully documented with TDS, IFRA Certificate, and MSDS — meets requirements for cosmetic product notification and safety assessment
• Pairs well with eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, rosemary, and geranium
• Soluble in fixed oils and alcohols — compatible with oil-phase cosmetic and soap formulations
• Suitable for candle making, bath bombs, soap, lotions, serums, massage oils, hair care, and aromatherapy applications

Lavender Essential Oil is one of the safest and most gentle essential oils when properly diluted.

• For cosmetic and aromatic use only — do not ingest
• Concentrated essential oil — always dilute before skin application; do not apply neat to skin in large quantities
• May cause mild skin irritation, eye irritation, or allergic skin reaction in sensitive individuals — classified as Skin Sensitizer Category 1 per MSDS
• Avoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs rinse cautiously with water for several minutes and seek medical advice if irritation persists
• Hazardous to aquatic life — do not dispose of down drains, into waterways, or onto the ground
• Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, open flames, and ignition sources
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling
• Wear gloves and eye protection when handling in bulk quantities
• Keep out of reach of children
• If swallowed do not induce vomiting — contact Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26) immediately
• Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight
• Not for use on or near children without appropriate dilution and medical guidance
• Patch test recommended before use in new formulations or on sensitive skin

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES FOR COMMON APPLICATIONS

• Cold Process Soap: 1–3% of total oil weight (approx. 5–15ml per 500g oils)
• Hot Process Soap: 1–3% of total oil weight — add at cool-down stage
• Melt & Pour Soap: 1–3% — stir in at 55–60°C before pouring
• Candles (Category 12 — unrestricted): up to 10% recommended for scent throw; test in your specific wax
• Bath Bombs: 1–3% of total dry weight
• Body Lotion / Body Cream (Category 5A): up to 19% — typical usage 1–3%
• Face Moisturiser (Category 5B): up to 19% — typical formulation usage 0.5–2%
• Hand Cream (Category 5C): up to 19%
• Baby Products (Category 5D): up to 17% — dilute thoroughly; always patch test
• Massage Oil: 1–3% diluted in carrier oil
• Diffuser / Aromatherapy: 5–10 drops per 100ml water
• Reed Diffuser / Oil Burner (Category 10A): up to 100% — use undiluted or blended

Is this Lavender Essential Oil pure and undiluted?
Yes. This is 100% pure Lavandula angustifolia essential oil — steam distilled from lavender flowers with no carrier oils, diluents, synthetics, or additives. It is supplied with a Technical Data Sheet (TDS) confirming purity, quality specifications, and microbial testing results.

What is the INCI name for this Lavender Essential Oil?
The correct INCI name is Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil. This is the name that must appear on your finished product ingredient list when using this oil in cosmetics sold in Australia.

Is this Lavender Essential Oil IFRA compliant?
Yes. This oil is certified compliant with the IFRA 51st Amendment standards (published July 2023). An IFRA Certificate of Conformity is available. For soap making and rinse-off applications (IFRA Category 9) the maximum usage rate is 100%, meaning it is unrestricted in cold process soap, shampoo, body wash, and bath bomb formulations.

What is the maximum usage rate for Lavender Essential Oil in cold process soap?
The IFRA Category 9 (rinse-off) maximum rate is 100%, meaning there is no IFRA-imposed restriction for this oil in soap. In practice, most soap makers use 1–3% of total oil weight for a well-rounded lavender scent. Above 3% you may notice acceleration of trace depending on your recipe. Essential oil usage in cold process soap is measured as a percentage of total oil weight, not total batch weight.

Does Lavender Essential Oil accelerate trace in cold process soap?
Lavender Essential Oil is generally considered well-behaved in cold process soap — it does not typically cause ricing or seizing. At usage rates above 3% you may notice slightly faster trace, but it remains manageable. It performs well in both room temperature and hot process methods and holds its scent through saponification better than many citrus essential oils.

What is the scent profile of this Lavender Essential Oil?
The scent is described as very fresh, sweet, green-floral, and herbaceous — characteristic of true Lavandula angustifolia. It is classified as a middle-to-top note. The fresh green-floral character distinguishes it from Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), which has a sharper, more camphoraceous scent. If you are looking for a softer, more refined lavender — this is the correct botanical variety.

Can I use this Lavender Essential Oil in candles?
Yes. Under IFRA Category 12 (non-skin contact products including candles) the maximum usage rate is 100%, meaning it is unrestricted. For soy, coconut, and paraffin candles a typical fragrance load of 6–10% is recommended. Always test your specific wax and vessel combination as scent throw and performance vary by wax type.

Is this Lavender Essential Oil safe for baby products?
Under IFRA Category 5D (baby creams, oils, and powders) the maximum usage rate is 17%. However, it is always recommended to use essential oils in baby products at very low concentrations (0.5–1% maximum) and to perform a patch test before use. Consult a certified aromatherapist or pharmacist before formulating essential oil products specifically intended for use on infants.

BLENDING GUIDE

Lavender Essential Oil blends naturally with:

• Eucalyptus Essential Oil — classic spa and therapeutic pairing; clean, fresh, and invigorating
• Peppermint Essential Oil — energising and cooling; popular in muscle relief balms and shampoo bars
• Tea Tree Essential Oil — purifying and antibacterial; ideal for acne-targeting soap and skincare
• Bergamot Essential Oil — floral citrus lift; lightens lavender in fine fragrance and lotion applications
• Cedarwood Essential Oil — warm, grounding base note; excellent in candles and beard balms
• Clary Sage Essential Oil — herbaceous and musky; deepens lavender in relaxation blends
• Rosemary Essential Oil — fresh and herbal; popular in hair care and scalp treatment formulations
• Geranium Essential Oil — floral and balancing; softens lavender in skincare and soap