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You can make lavender oil with olive oil by infusing dried lavender buds into warm olive oil, and it’s one of the easiest DIY projects you’ll ever try.
This homemade lavender oil with olive oil is perfect for massage, skincare, and even a calming bath soak.
The best part is you don’t need fancy equipment or a chemistry degree to pull it off.
In this post, I’ll show you how to make lavender oil with olive oil step by step, plus a few tips to get the most fragrance and benefits out of every batch.
Let’s dive in.
How to Make Lavender Oil with Olive Oil (Step by Step)
Making lavender oil with olive oil comes down to one simple idea: coaxing the natural oils out of lavender buds and into the olive oil.
Here’s how to do it.
1. Gather Your Ingredients
To make lavender oil with olive oil, you’ll need about one cup of dried lavender buds and one cup of good-quality olive oil.
Dried buds work far better than fresh ones here because fresh lavender contains water, and water can cause mold in your finished oil.
A clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid is also a must, along with a fine strainer or cheesecloth.
2. Fill Your Jar with Lavender
Loosely fill your glass jar about halfway with dried lavender buds.
You want the buds to have room to move around, so don’t pack them down too tightly.
Then pour your olive oil over the buds until they’re completely covered.
3. Let It Infuse Slowly (The Patience Method)
This is the classic way to make lavender oil with olive oil, and it takes about four to six weeks.
Stir the mixture gently once a day, then seal the jar and tuck it somewhere warm and dark, like a kitchen cabinet.
Every few days, give it a little shake to keep things moving.
4. Or Speed Things Up with Gentle Heat
If you don’t want to wait a month, you can make lavender oil with olive oil much faster using low heat.
Set your jar in a saucepan filled with a couple inches of water and warm it over the lowest possible setting for two to three hours.
Keep the heat low, because high temperatures can destroy the delicate aroma you’re after.
5. Strain and Store Your Oil
Once your oil smells strongly of lavender, it’s time to strain out the buds.
Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and pour the mixture through, pressing gently on the buds to release every last drop.
Transfer your finished lavender oil into a clean, dark glass bottle and store it somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight.
Why Olive Oil Works So Well for Lavender Infusions
Olive oil is a fantastic carrier oil for lavender, and here’s why it’s such a great match.
1. It’s Gentle on Skin
Olive oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, which makes it soothing and nourishing for most skin types.
That’s why lavender oil made with olive oil feels lovely in massage blends and body oils.
2. It Absorbs Lavender’s Aroma Beautifully
Olive oil has a mild scent of its own, so it picks up lavender’s floral notes without overpowering them.
The result is a soft, natural fragrance that smells like a summer garden.
3. It’s Affordable and Easy to Find
You probably already have olive oil in your kitchen, which makes this one of the cheapest ways to make lavender oil at home.
No need to hunt down rare carrier oils.
4. It Has a Long Shelf Life
Olive oil resists going rancid better than many lighter oils, so your lavender infusion lasts longer.
Stored properly, it can stay fresh for up to a year.
Tips for Better Results When You Make Lavender Oil with Olive Oil
A few smart habits will take your homemade lavender oil from good to amazing.
1. Always Use Dried Lavender
Fresh lavender introduces moisture, which shortens shelf life and invites mold.
Dried buds give you a cleaner, safer, longer-lasting lavender oil.
2. Choose a Mild Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil works, but its strong flavor and scent can compete with the lavender.
A lighter, milder olive oil lets the lavender shine through.
3. Keep Everything Clean and Dry
Moisture and bacteria are the enemies of infused oils.
Make sure your jar, tools, and hands are completely dry before you start.
4. Label and Date Your Bottle
Write the date on your bottle so you know when to use it up.
This small step keeps your homemade lavender oil fresh and safe.
5. Test Before You Slather
Do a small patch test on your inner arm before using your lavender oil all over.
Even natural ingredients can irritate sensitive skin.
So, Can You Make Lavender Oil with Olive Oil?
You can absolutely make lavender oil with olive oil, and it’s a simple, rewarding project anyone can do at home.
All you need is dried lavender, good olive oil, a clean jar, and a little patience.
Whether you choose the slow infusion method or the quick heat method, you’ll end up with a fragrant, skin-loving oil you can use for massage, baths, and DIY skincare.
So grab some lavender and get infusing.