Lavandula Officinalis Worst Fragrance Synthetic and Natural No known benefits Lavandula Officinalis at a glance Previous name for Lavandula angustifolia, AKA lavender Plant-based volatile oil taken from lavender Contains fragrant compounds Can cause skin sensitization after oxidization Lavandula Officinalis description _Lavandula officinalis_, also known as _Lavandula angustifolia_, is a former name for the lavender plant. Primarily a fragrance ingredient, it may have beneficial properties for skin but is also a potential sensitizer due to its fragrance components. The oil form is more likely to aggravate skin than the extract form, especially if you can detect lavender’s distinctive scent. In-vitro research indicates that components of lavender oil, specifically linalool and linalyl acetate, can have damaging effects on skin in as low a concentration as 0.25%. When exposed to air, these components oxidise, meaning their potential for causing a reaction increases. If you’re wondering why lavender oil doesn’t appear to be problematic for some people, it’s because research has demonstrated that you don’t always need to immediately see or feel the sensitising effects for your skin to suffer damage. Related ingredients: Lavender Extract And Oil Lavandula Angustifolia