While both oils have largely similar properties, bay leaf has become a name in and of itself, largely as a result of its powerful assets in eliminating and masking body odour.

Though much is yet to be discovered about what bay leaf can ultimately do for our health and wellbeing, its distinct familiarity and revered cosmetic use has made its role in aromatherapy much more prominent over the years.

Can bay leaf essential oil be used as a natural aftershave?

It’s easy to see why bay leaf has been such a popular scent for so long.

The aromas of bay leaf oil are not only warm and spicy – they are also strong and long-lasting. This makes it a great natural aftershave or perfume.

Bay leaf has also been cited for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, particularly against gram-positive bacterial strains such as S. aureus and E. faecium. Some sources have also suggested that bay leaf can eliminate strains of E. coli.

Try mixing a few drops of bay leaf oil with a carrier oil and applying it in place of regular aftershave for a clean, fresh scent.

Can bay leaf oil clean and strengthen hair?

Bay leaf oil has several key components that make it a great choice for hair and beard care.

Firstly, it’s a stimulant, which means that it can help boost blood circulation to the scalp. Many people have found that this encourages hair growth and helps to make hair and beards thicker and healthier. This is also similar to how rosemary oil for hair works, which is often used to boost hair growth and health.

Bay leaf’s anti-fungal properties can also help it to eliminate the symptoms of common scalp conditions like dandruff by cutting off the potential source of the problem at its core.

Lastly, bay leaf’s antimicrobial quantities make it an effective agent against the microbes that disrupt the pH balance of the scalp, helping facilitate a sounder environment for hair growth and thickness.

Bay leaf oil should always be diluted and patch-tested before being applied to the scalp. Like all natural remedies, results won’t always be immediate, so it's important to be patient and trust overall processes.

Does bay leaf essential oil benefit skin health?

Bay leaf oil has astringent properties which allow it to tighten the skin and inhibit the production of oily sebum.

This can leave skin looking younger, brighter, and less shiny with oils. Its antimicrobial properties also help it to clear bacteria from pores and leave skin looking clean and healthy.

Despite the historic confusion, oil from the West Indies bay tree has its own unique set of properties and benefits that distinguish it from bay laurel oil and make it a useful, interesting oil in its own right.

It’s hardly a new discovery – its cosmetic uses can be traced back at least over a century – but the timeless warmth of its scent ensures that it will never go out of style.