How Organic Lavender Essential Oil Is Made
Jul 21, 2025
Lavender essential oil is one of the most recognized and widely used ingredients in natural skincare, aromatherapy, and wellness products. At Potager Soap, we use certified organic Lavender Grosso essential oil because of its rich aroma, high oil concentration, and exceptional quality in handcrafted soap.
But how does lavender become essential oil?
Here’s a closer look at the process behind organic lavender essential oil production—from the field to your soap bar.
What Is Lavender Grosso?
Lavender Grosso, also known as Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, is a hybrid variety of English and Portuguese lavender. It is prized for its strong fragrance, high essential oil yield, and resilience in organic farming environments.
Compared to other lavender varieties, Lavender Grosso is known for:
- A deeper, more herbaceous lavender scent
- Higher essential oil production
- Long-lasting blooms
- Natural resistance to pests and disease
- Excellent performance in natural skincare products
Because of these qualities, Lavender Grosso is widely used in premium organic soaps, body care, and aromatherapy products.
Step 1: Growing Organic Lavender
The process begins in certified organic lavender fields where Lavender Grosso is cultivated without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers.
Lavender thrives in:
- Full sunlight
- Dry climates
- Well-drained soil
- Low-humidity growing conditions
Organic farmers carefully prune and space the plants to encourage healthy growth and maximize essential oil production.
This stage is critical because soil quality, climate, and farming methods directly affect the aroma and quality of the final lavender essential oil.
Step 2: Harvesting Lavender at Peak Bloom
Lavender is harvested during peak bloom, typically in mid-to-late summer when the essential oil concentration is at its highest.
Farmers harvest the flowering tops using either:
- Hand-cutting methods
- Mechanical harvesting equipment
Timing matters. Harvesting too early or too late can affect:
- Oil yield
- Fragrance intensity
- Chemical composition
- Overall quality
Fresh lavender blooms are then prepared immediately for distillation to preserve their aromatic compounds.
Step 3: Steam Distillation of Lavender Essential Oil
High-quality lavender essential oil is extracted using steam distillation, the traditional method used in natural essential oil production.
How Steam Distillation Works
- Fresh lavender is placed into a large distillation still.
- Steam moves through the lavender flowers and stems.
- Heat causes the plant’s oil glands to release aromatic compounds.
- The steam and oil vapor travel into a cooling chamber called a condenser.
- The vapor cools into liquid form.
- The lavender essential oil naturally separates from the hydrosol, also known as lavender water.
The result is pure lavender essential oil ready for filtration and use in skincare and soapmaking.
Step 4: Filtering and Preparing the Oil
After distillation, the oil is filtered to remove any remaining plant particles.
Some producers allow the oil to rest briefly before bottling. This stabilization period helps preserve the consistency and aroma of the oil.
The finished organic lavender essential oil is then incorporated into natural skincare products, including:
- Handmade lavender soap
- Aromatherapy products
- Natural body care
- Bath products
- Essential oil blends
Why We Use Organic Lavender Essential Oil in Soap
At Potager Soap, we choose organic Lavender Grosso essential oil because of its:
- Clean botanical scent
- High-quality aromatic profile
- Compatibility with natural soap formulations
- Sustainable farming practices
Lavender essential oil is commonly used in natural soap because it helps create a calming, spa-like bathing experience while adding a fresh herbal aroma to handcrafted skincare products.
From Organic Lavender Fields to Handcrafted Soap
Every bar of lavender soap begins long before the soapmaking process itself. From organic cultivation and careful harvesting to steam distillation and formulation, each step contributes to the final quality of the product.
At Potager Soap, we believe simple, natural ingredients matter. That’s why we carefully source organic lavender essential oil that aligns with our commitment to clean, handcrafted skincare.
If you love botanical skincare, explore our collection of organic soaps made with essential oils, plant-based ingredients, and traditional cold process methods.