Cited skincare — peer-reviewed evidence, no upsell.
La

Lavender Oil

Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil

Essential oil with documented estrogenic activity (Henley 2007 NEJM). Avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and under puberty. Linalool oxidation is also a common contact allergen.

What it does

Lavender oil is one of the more commonly used cosmetic essential oils. Henley 2007's NEJM case series clinically linked topical lavender + tea tree oil exposure to prepubertal gynecomastia in three boys, and demonstrated estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity for both oils in human cell lines — the mechanistic basis for the pregnancy and under-puberty contraindication. Separately, linalool (lavender's primary fragrance component) oxidizes into known contact allergens — older bottles are more allergenic and the ingredient is a top-10 culprit in dermatology patch-testing. Earlier consumer guidance that classified lavender as 'lower-risk than clary sage' predates the Henley evidence; Drop's stance now mirrors tea tree.

The evidence, graded

expert consensusTopical lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) carries documented estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity that has been clinically linked to prepubertal gynecomastia in case series. Pregnancy and under-puberty exposure should be avoided.Henley 2007 · New England Journal of Medicine ↗

Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.

Also known as

lavandula angustifolia oil, lavandula angustifolia, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/stem extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower extract

This page is public and indexed on purpose (unlike profiles and drops, which are unlisted) — it’s the citation behind shared ingredient cards, and it should be findable.
Want more like this?
Get Drop, free. Every flag cites its source, the app tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more products.
Get the free appHow Drop works