Lavender oil has been used for centuries by cultures around the world to aid both mental and physical conditions, and it remains one of the most popular varieties of essential oil today.

We’ve put together a guide on how to make lavender-infused oil so you can add it to your skincare routine, use it to ward off pests or even clean your home. It’s a much simpler process than making true lavender essential oil, as you won’t have to distil the lavender buds or invest in extra equipment.

Read on to learn how to make lavender oil, which types of lavender are best to use and much more.

How long does homemade lavender oil last?

Once the lavender has been strained, you can expect the oil to last for between 1-2 years, depending on the type of carrier oil you have used and how well it is stored.

This is why it is a good idea to use a brand-new carrier oil with a good expiry date, as this should also carry over to your lavender oil after you have finished making it. In terms of storage, keep it in a sealed container with a tight lid in a cool, dark location.

What is the best type of lavender to use to make homemade oil?

There are currently 47 known species of lavender that are categorised into more than 450 varieties, although the main types are English, Spanish, French,Bulgarian and lavandin.

With so many to choose from you may be wondering which is the best lavender to use for homemade oil. Most lavender essential oil is made using lavandin, which is a hybrid between Lavandula angustifolia (English) and Lavandula latifolia (Portuguese). This is largely because it has a powerful lavender scent that works incredibly well with carrier oils.

A good rule of thumb to follow when choosing lavender is to use any English variety or Lavandula x intermedia cross. English Lavender tends to offer better medicinal properties compared to French and Spanish types, if that is something that you intend to use the oil for.  

What are the best types of ready-made lavender essential oils?

Of course, not everyone has the time to set aside to make homemade lavender oil. Some people prefer to buy essential oil so they can start to enjoy it right away while gaining the full benefits the oil can provide.

With that in mind, two types of readymade lavender essential oil we would recommend are:

Bulgarian Lavender Essential Oil to bring calm and ease stress

Bulgarian lavender essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from a highly popular strain grown in Bulgaria. Its scent is more complex than other varieties, as it is stronger than the traditional softness given off by English lavender and sweeter than the heavily herb-influenced French variety. Bulgarian lavender can serve as the perfect remedy for managing stress and low moods, producing a calming effect that also aids sleep and all-round relaxation.

French Lavender Essential is great for the mind and your home

Another option could be to use readymade French lavender essential oil. Thanks to its bacterial properties it can be used to help treat wounds, while many also believe it can provide pain relief. In addition to helping to reduce stress and encourage relaxation for sleep, French lavender oil is also used by some to ward off pests (spiders in particular), while others include it in their ingredients for homemade cleaners.

You may be surprised to learn just how easy it is to make lavender-infused oil. It’s a good idea to have it as a backup or as an extra option alongside your favoured brand, so you’ll never run out. And while infused oil can be put to use in a variety of ways, it isn’t able to offer the same sort of health benefits provided by lavender essential oil, so always bear that in mind when using it. Making essential oil will require you to invest more time and money into the process, so if you want something that involves less hassle, lavender-infused oil is the way to go.