Lavender water for hair is simple to make at home with just two ingredients: lavender buds (or essential oil) and water. The most common method is a hot infusion that takes about 15 minutes of active work and produces enough for several uses. You can also make a quicker version using lavender essential oil and a spray bottle. Here’s how to do both, plus how to use and store your finished product.
The Infusion Method (Dried or Fresh Lavender)
This is the most traditional approach. Bring 100 ml (about half a cup) of water to a fast boil, then pour it over 2 tablespoons of dried or fresh lavender flowers in a glass or ceramic bowl. Cover the bowl and let it sit at room temperature until it cools completely. For a stronger infusion, leave it overnight.
Once it’s cool, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean spray bottle or jar. Press the flowers gently against the strainer to extract as much liquid as possible. You’ll end up with a lightly fragrant, pale gold or amber water. To make a larger batch, simply scale the ratio: 4 tablespoons of lavender to 200 ml of water, and so on.
Use dried culinary-grade or cosmetic-grade lavender buds. Avoid craft-store lavender that may have been treated with dyes or preservatives. If you grow lavender, fresh flower heads work just as well.
The Essential Oil Method (Faster)
If you don’t have dried lavender on hand, you can make a spray using lavender essential oil and distilled water. The key is keeping the dilution low enough to be safe on skin. For a leave-on hair spray, aim for roughly a 2% dilution: about 12 drops of lavender essential oil per ounce (30 ml) of water. For a full 8-ounce spray bottle, that’s around 90 to 100 drops.
Because oil and water don’t mix on their own, shake the bottle vigorously before every use. Some people add a small splash of witch hazel or vodka (about a teaspoon per cup of water) to help the oil disperse more evenly, though this is optional. Distilled water is preferred over tap water because it’s free of minerals and chlorine that can shorten the shelf life.
How to Apply It
Lavender water is versatile enough to fit into your routine in several ways:
- Scalp spray: Part your hair into sections, hold the bottle a few inches from your scalp, and mist evenly. Massage gently with your fingertips to help the liquid absorb, then let your hair air dry. This works especially well after a workout when your scalp feels sweaty or itchy but you don’t want a full wash.
- Final rinse: After shampooing and conditioning, pour lavender water over your hair as a last step. Don’t rinse it out. This leaves a light scent and gives your scalp the benefit of direct contact with the lavender.
- Leave-in refresher: Mist over dry hair anytime to tame flyaways and add a subtle fragrance. It’s light enough that it won’t weigh down fine hair or leave residue.
Lavender water works across hair types. If your scalp tends to be oily, the antimicrobial properties help keep bacteria and fungus in check between washes. If your scalp is dry or irritated, lavender’s soothing quality can reduce redness and itching.
Why Lavender Works for Hair and Scalp
Lavender isn’t just about the scent. A 2016 study published in Toxicological Research tested lavender oil on mice and found it significantly increased the number of hair follicles, deepened the follicle depth, and thickened the dermal layer of the skin. The researchers described it as having “a marked hair growth-promoting effect.” While animal studies don’t always translate directly to humans, these results are part of why lavender has become one of the more popular essential oils in hair care.
Lavender also has documented antimicrobial properties, meaning it inhibits the growth of certain bacteria and fungi. On the scalp, this can help prevent dandruff, itching, and minor infections. It’s a useful ingredient if you’re prone to a flaky or irritated scalp, especially in humid weather or after sweating.
Storage and Shelf Life
Homemade lavender water doesn’t contain preservatives, so it won’t last as long as store-bought products. Keep your spray bottle in the refrigerator to get the longest life out of it. A simple infusion stored in the fridge stays fresh for about one to two weeks. The essential oil version lasts a bit longer since the oil itself has antimicrobial properties, but refrigeration is still the safest bet.
If refrigeration isn’t practical, store it in a cool, dark spot with a consistent temperature. Avoid leaving it on a sunny windowsill or in a steamy bathroom. Direct light, especially sunlight, degrades the beneficial compounds faster. Dark glass spray bottles (amber or cobalt blue) offer better protection than clear ones. If your lavender water develops an off smell or looks cloudy, toss it and make a fresh batch.
A Note on Sensitivity
Lavender is gentle for most people, but it’s not risk-free. A nine-year study in Japan found that up to 13.9% of subjects developed contact dermatitis when exposed to lavender oil. Symptoms include redness, itching, and small bumps at the application site. Before spraying lavender water all over your scalp, test a small amount on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear. Wait 24 hours. If you see redness or feel any irritation, skip it.
This is especially important with the essential oil version, which is more concentrated than a flower infusion. Stick to the 2% dilution or lower, and never apply undiluted essential oil directly to your scalp.