At Koka Beauty, we honour time-tested botanicals for their ability to nourish the skin and soothe the spirit. Among the most cherished of these is lavender — an aromatic flower revered for its calming properties, skin-balancing benefits, and soulful scent. For centuries, lavender has been treasured across cultures for its beauty, fragrance, and gentle therapeutic action. In this post, we explore the origins, science, and ritual of lavender in skincare — and why it holds a sacred place in our collection of clean, restorative beauty rituals.
The History and Heritage of Lavender
Lavender’s story begins over 2,500 years ago in the sun-soaked hills of the Mediterranean. The ancient Egyptians prized it for its fragrant oils, using it in embalming rituals and temple incense. Later, the Greeks and Romans expanded lavender’s uses, incorporating it into public baths, healing balms, and spiritual rites. Roman soldiers carried lavender in their satchels to treat wounds, while Roman women perfumed their baths with it — a tradition that inspired the flower’s name from the Latin lavare, meaning “to wash.”
Throughout the Middle Ages, lavender was believed to ward off disease. It was scattered across castle floors and steeped in tonics to purify the air and calm the mind. In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, lavender was used to balance emotional energy and harmonize the body. In the Victorian era, it became a symbol of elegance and refinement, stitched into sachets and soaps. Across continents and centuries, lavender has never fallen out of favour — a botanical legacy of healing, protection, and peace.
Why Lavender Works in Skincare
Modern botanical science now confirms what tradition long observed. Lavender essential oil is rich in therapeutic compounds, especially linalool and linalyl acetate, both of which are known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and sedative properties. These constituents help soothe irritation, reduce redness, and support skin prone to breakouts, dryness, or sensitivity.
Lavender’s calming properties extend beyond the skin. When inhaled or applied topically, lavender interacts with the limbic system — the brain’s emotional processing center — to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and ease tension. That’s why lavender is often used in evening skincare rituals and pre-sleep routines. In addition to its psychological benefits, lavender helps support wound healing by stimulating collagen production and tissue regeneration, making it ideal for post-shave skin, sun-stressed areas, and barrier repair.
Lavender at Koka Beauty
At Koka Beauty, we use only pure, therapeutic-grade lavender essential oil — carefully sourced from ethical growers and steam-distilled to preserve its full aromatic and healing potential.
Lavender is a foundational note in two of our most beloved formulations: the Lavender Silk Bath Bomb and the Lavender Body Oil.
In the Lavender Silk Bath Bomb, we combine lavender with silk proteins, almond oil, and a bouquet of fragrance oils including patchouli. As the bath bomb dissolves in warm water, it releases a cloud of calming scent while silk amino acids coat the skin in softness. This bath is more than a soak — it's a full-body restoration ritual for skin and spirit.
In our Lavender Body Oil, lavender works in harmony with cold-pressed oils like almond and castor oil to deeply hydrate and calm the skin. It’s perfect for evening use or whenever your body needs grounding and gentle care. Lightweight yet nourishing, this oil helps seal in moisture while delivering a serene, floral finish to your self-care routine.
Key Insight: Lavender is more than a scent — it’s a skincare ally and emotional balm that connects the body and mind through the art of ritual. Whether you’re soaking, massaging, or simply inhaling its aroma, lavender invites you to pause, soften, and return to yourself.
Koka Beauty’s Top Tips
Tip: Use the Lavender Silk Bath Bomb as a weekly restorative treatment. The gentle fizziness releases tension in the muscles while the essential oils promote relaxation. After bathing, apply Lavender Body Oil to warm, damp skin and take a few minutes to massage using long, slow strokes. This helps stimulate lymphatic flow and enhances absorption, turning a simple routine into a luxurious nightly ritual.
Enhance Your Ritual: Lavender for Body and Mind
Koka Recommends: Use lavender-based products in the evening or whenever you need to transition from busyness to stillness. Our Lavender Silk Bath Bomb features therapeutic lavender oil, silk proteins, and a blend of florals to restore hydration, calm inflammation, and relax the senses. The aromatic steam transforms your bathroom into a sanctuary of serenity.
Lavender Silk Bath Bomb
£12.00
This intensely moisturising bath bomb releases a highly fragrant and calming Lavender scent when placed in warm water. It contains almond oil and jojoba beads which loosen dry, dead skin cells and nourish new skin. The silk amino acids form a… read more
Follow With: Koka Beauty’s Lavender Body Oil — a softening blend of lavender, almond, and castor oil. It nourishes dry skin, helps lock in moisture, and invites rest through the gentle embrace of nature’s most calming flower.
Lavender Body Oil
£24.00
A light moisturising oil with a sweet and calming scent of Lavender, Coconut, Vanilla and Patchouli. Apply to wet skin after bathing to maximise its moisturising affect. Most suitable for normal to dry skin.… read more
Your Koka Lavender Ritual: Step-by-Step
Step 1. Fill your bathtub with warm water and drop in the Lavender Silk Bath Bomb
Step 2. Soak for at least 20 minutes to allow silk, lavender, and botanicals to nourish your skin
Step 3. Gently pat skin dry and apply Lavender Body Oil while skin is still warm
Step 4. Use long, circular motions to massage the oil into your skin, optionally with a gua sha tool
Step 5. Take a few deep breaths and allow the soothing scent of lavender to signal rest, softness, and renewal
For more restorative rituals, skincare wisdom, and beauty rooted in nature, follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Join our community of radiant, mindful women who embrace clean beauty as a path to softness, presence, and self-connection.
