🌿 Lavandula angustifolia vs. Lavandula x intermedia

(How they differ in personal care + aromatherapy)

1. Botanical Background

Lavandula angustifolia

• Often called English Lavender or True Lavender

• Species: L. angustifolia

• Known for its high ester content (especially linalyl acetate) and low camphor

Lavandula x intermedia

• Commonly called Lavandin

• A natural hybrid between L. angustifolia and L. latifolia

• Contains higher camphor and 1,8-cineole

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🧴 Aromatherapy Applications

⭐ Lavandula angustifolia

• Calming + Sedative
  Excellent for stress relief, sleep support, anxiety, and emotional balance.

• Gentler on the nervous system
  Because of its chemistry, it’s the preferred lavender for anyone with sensitivities.

• Better for skin therapies
  Supports healing of burns, cuts, irritation, and acne-prone or mature skin.

• Best for:

  • Sleep blends

  • Anxiety or panic support

  • Skin serums

  • Baby-safe blends (properly diluted)

  • Women’s wellness formulas

  • Diffusion in bedrooms

Aromatherapy tone: Soft, sweet, floral, herbaceous with minimal sharpness.

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⭐ Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin)

• More stimulating than sedating
  Great for daytime focus, energy, and mood support rather than deep relaxation.

• Respiratory supportive
  Higher camphor and cineole make it useful for easing congestion and supporting breathing.

• Stronger scent throw
  Ideal for candles, soaps, household products where you want the scent to last.

• Best for:

  • Bath salts and scrubs

  • Massage oils for muscle tension

  • Shower steamers

  • Cleaning sprays

  • Diffusers in living spaces

  • Haircare formulas

  • Athletic recovery products

Aromatherapy tone: Fresher, brighter, slightly sharper with a camphorous edge.

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🧼 Personal Care & Skin Applications

⭐ Lavandula angustifolia

• Gentler on skin—much lower camphor

• Preferred for face creams, balms, serums, and after-sun care

• Soothes inflammation and supports skin repair

• Less likely to cause irritation on sensitive or reactive skin

• Ideal for:

  • Face products

  • Baby or pregnancy-safe formulations

  • Sensitive skin soaps

  • Calm + sleep roller blends

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⭐ Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin)

• More energizing and deodorizing

• Excellent for bath/body products where you want a strong lavender scent to linger

• Useful for muscle rubs because the camphor content provides a mild cooling sensation

• Not recommended for delicate or broken skin

• Ideal for:

  • Body washes

  • Scrubs

  • Shampoo + conditioner

  • Foot care

  • Everyday lotions

  • Soap making (holds scent better than angustifolia)

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🌬 Diffusion & Scent Characteristics

Feature	L. angustifolia	L. x intermedia (Lavandin)
Scent Strength	Softer	Stronger, more penetrating
Effect	Calming, grounding	Uplifting, clarifying
Best Time	Evening	Morning/daytime
Blending	Florals, citrus	Herbals, mints, woods

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⚠️ Safety Notes

Lavandula angustifolia

• Generally considered one of the safest essential oils

• Suitable for most skin types

• Avoid misuse or over-application like any essential oil

Lavandula x intermedia

• Higher camphor = slightly higher risk of irritation

• Avoid on broken skin

• Avoid around infants

• Not recommended for individuals with epilepsy

• Keep dilution lower for leave-on products

 

***If pregnant, breast feeding, or living with a medical condition, please consult with your health care provider prior to use.

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🌸 Which Lavender Should You Use for Products?

Use Lavandula angustifolia for:

• Sleep sprays

• Face and skincare

• Wellness rollers

• Perfume blends

• Sensitive skin formulas

• Stress/anxiety blends

• Luxury aromatherapy products

Use Lavandula x intermedia for:

• Candles

• Wax melts

• Bath bombs

• Soaps (cold process especially)

• Household sprays

• Shower steamers

• Muscle rubs

• Haircare

Updated November 27/25