An emblematic plant of Provence, fine lavender is renowned for its many properties in aromatherapy and cosmetics, as well as for its distinctive captivating scent.
In natural cosmetics, fine lavender is particularly appreciated for sensitive, reactive or blemish-prone skin.
Among lavenders, fine lavender has the most delicate fragrance. It can be recognised by its slightly greyish color, its dense foliage and the presence of a single flower spike per stem. It is a melliferous plant, highly appreciated by bees.
At Siprès, we use fine lavender also called true lavender or officinal lavender in the form of hydrosol and essential oil.
Plante emblématique de la Provence, la lavande fine est réputée pour ses nombreuses propriétés en aromathérapie et en cosmétique ainsi que pour son odeur caractéristique envoûtante.
La lavande fine est, parmi les lavandes, celle dont le parfum est le plus fin. Elle se reconnaît par une couleur plus grisâtre, par son feuillage dense et par la présence d’un seul épi floral par tige. Il s'agit d'une plante mellifère, fort appréciée donc des abeilles.
Chez Siprès, nous utilisons la lavande fine (également appelée lavande vraie ou lavande officinale) sous forme d'hydrolat et d'huile essentielle.
Properties
Healing and soothing, fine lavender promotes skin repair and calms damaged or atopic skin. It relieves irritation.
Antibacterial, it is appreciated by acne-prone skin to regulate sebum production and reduce imperfections.
Regenerating, it helps fight early signs of ageing.
Relaxing, fine lavender essential oil is used in diffusion or inhalation to reduce stress, prevent anxiety and promote sleep even in children.
History
Known since Antiquity, lavender whose name comes from the Latin “lavare”, meaning “to wash” was used by the Romans to perfume laundry and bath water.
In the Middle Ages, it was commonly grown in monastery gardens for its multiple benefits.
In the mid-18th century, the perfumers of Grasse increased demand for this flower, which became “the soul of Provence”, as described by Jean Giono. Until the 1930s, lavender was harvested with a sickle in the hills of Haute-Provence. Today, it is mostly cultivated in plains, planted in rows to facilitate mechanical harvesting.
Origin
The fine lavender hydrosol used in Siprès Fine Lavender Water comes from a family farm in Haute-Provence that has been growing lavender since 1916. The family perpetuates traditional know-how with respect for soil and nature. The farm has been organic for over 40 years. Lavender grows at an altitude of 1,100 m under optimal sunny Provençal conditions.
The fine lavender essential oil comes from the Mont Ventoux area in Haute-Provence, produced organically on a family farm.
Extraction
Siprès fine lavender hydrosol is obtained by low-pressure steam distillation using 1 kg of flowering tops for 1 L of floral water. This ratio ensures a high concentration of active compounds.
Siprès fine lavender essential oil is also steam-distilled on site at the farm.
INCI
LAVANDULA AUGUSTIFOLIA WATER (hydrolat)
LAVANDULA AUGUSTIFOLIA HERB OIL (huile essentielle)
⚠️ Essential oils are concentrated actives. They must be used with caution, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in young children.