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« Tea Tree and Lavender Oils: What We (Don't) Know | Main | Great Books Make Great Gifts: What EWG Is Reading »
Tea Tree and Lavender Oils: What We (Don't) Know
Second of a two-part blog on health concerns tied to natural ingredients.
By Swati Sharma, MS, EWG Research Assistant
"Natural" and homemade cosmetics and cleaning products aren't by definition safer than mainstream products. EWG takes a closer look at two common plant-based ingredients - tea tree and lavender oils - and finds that the science is still evolving and safety can't be assumed.
Earlier this week, we took a close look at tea tree oil - its uses, and some potential health concerns we should all keep in mind as the popularity of this natural ingredient skyrockets in both store-bought and homemade cosmetics and cleaning supplies. Today, we examine lavender oil and provide some suggested precautions when using either of these oils or products that contain them.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is widely used in consumer products as a fragrance (all that lavender soap!). In fact, it is the third most commonly used fragrance in U.S. cosmetic products. Lavender is also frequently used to relieve pain and anxiety and as an antiseptic, due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Despite its ubiquity in cosmetics, researchers in Japan who compared eight essential oils found that lavender caused the greatest number of skin allergies. Several other studies have also linked allergic reactions to lavender oil. Linalool and linalyl acetate, major components of lavender oil, were found to react with oxygen in the air, forming allergens that can cause contact dermatitis. Furthermore, tests have found that lavender may be toxic to human skin cells. All this is to say that the soothing scent of lavender in your soap or lotion may not be welcome if you happen to be allergic to this naturally derived compound!
Do these oils disrupt hormones? We don't know.
An intensely debated study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2007 suggested that topical use of tea tree and lavender oil could possibly disrupt sex hormones in people, causing estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects. The study was a case report of three boys who had abnormal breast development after applying products containing lavender oil, and in one case, tea tree oil. When the boys stopped using the products, their breast development subsided. The researchers concluded that, "The medical community should be aware of the possibility of endocrine disruption and should caution patients about repeated exposure to any products containing these oils."
Drawing a definitive conclusion on the basis of any one case study with such a small number of patients is notoriously difficult. Further, the study did not provide specific product names or full lists of ingredients, so the influence of other chemicals can't be ruled out. While the study provoked intense curiosity and discussion, no additional case reports have surfaced to corroborate its findings. The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), evaluating tea tree oil found the connection "implausible," saying that the hormonally active components of tea tree oil don't penetrate the skin. We've got our eyes peeled for any studies that support or refute this potential health concern.
In the meantime, here are some tips for today:
Take-home tips on tea tree and lavender oil
• "Natural" does not necessarily mean safe: High doses of some naturally occurring compounds can be toxic.
• Given the evolving state of the science, EWG does not suggest that you stop using tea tree and lavender oil. However, it's definitely a good idea to try a new product on a small area of skin first to see if you're allergic is - and go easy on intensive, full-body applications.
• We do suggest you limit use of products containing tea tree or lavender oil that are old or have been exposed to light, since air and sunlight break down ingredients in these oils over time, producing more potent allergens.
• Spray cleaners, air fresheners and spray cosmetics expose the user and people nearby to lavender and tea tree oil via inhalation. With little or no data on the health effects of inhaling these compounds, such products should be used in well-ventilated areas and kept away from children.
Parting advice: Whether you're making your own products or heading for those advertised as green and "natural," make informed choices. Picking products based on front-label ad claims or natural-sounding names doesn't guarantee you a safe product. Know what you're buying. It's safer that way.
[A big thanks to flickr CC and jaybergesen for the beautiful lavender field pic.]