Why is chamomile so important in skincare products, and why is it added to almost all of Perfect Image’s products? There is a reason why there is so much craze surrounding chamomile, and today we’ll go over all of its benefits!
For starters, chamomile has many powerful skin benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. And it contains essential oils and antioxidants. Chamomile is also hypoallergenic and helps reduce skin irritants by neutralizing free radicals.
To learn more about how chamomile can help your skin, read this guide.
Related: The Surprising Skin Care Benefits of Garlic
What Is Chamomile?
Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks used the flower native to Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America to treat many conditions and illnesses such as nausea, pain, inflammations, skin diseases, and cancer. In fact, ancient Egyptians dedicated chamomile to the gods, as they believed it could help cure illness.
The Spanish also used chamomile as a flavoring agent to make sherry. And, Romans used chamomile in incense and sipped it on it as a healing beverage.
However, it wasn’t until recent scientific studies came out and showed that it possessed all of these powerful skin-benefiting properties.
Most of the studies occurred in Germany using chamomile as a topical ointment or cream. One impressive study demonstrated chamomile was more than half as effective as a .25% hydrocortisone cream when applied topically.
It has also shown signs in the study of reducing dermatitis effectively. Chamomile contains a massive list of chemical compounds, many of them known for their inflammatory properties.
Related: Chamomile: The Superstar Ingredient
Benefits of Chamomile
The same properties that make chamomile useful for psychological and bodily ailments also bring about many skincare benefits. Let’s look at the benefits that chamomile has when used as part of a regular skincare routine:
Great for Acne-Prone Skin
Because chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties, it’s great for acne-prone skin. Chamomile can be used as a mild astringent, effectively drying out your acne and causing redness and inflammation to minimize.
It also gently kills bacteria, fights hyperpigmentation and red spots, and protects the skin from free radical damage. All of this can lead to healthier, blemish-free skin.
Contains Many Important Properties
Chamomile contains antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties. All of these properties work together to revitalize and improve the health of your skin.
Wound Healing
The essential oils found in chamomile reportedly contain anti-microbial properties that protect the skin against certain kinds of viruses, fungi, and bacteria. A 2018 study found that ointment containing chamomile extract significantly improved the antibacterial and healing activity of infected wounds in rats.
In fact, the Germany Commission E, a group of medical professionals who determine the safety of products in Germany, approved chamomile for the treatment of bacterial skin diseases.
If you have a wound that’s having trouble healing, chamomile may be the answer.
Anti-Aging
Chamomile also has anti-aging properties. Free radicals, which are cells in the environment, can damage skin and lead to premature aging. Antioxidants, which are found in chamomile, can fight these free radicals. Polyphenols and phytochemicals are two powerful antioxidants found in chamomile that can fight the aging process.
These antioxidants accelerate cell and tissue renewal, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and give your skin a natural glow.
Did you know that what you eat may be causing you to age? Click here to learn more!
Lightens Skin and Fights Hyperpigmentation
Many people suffer from dark spots on the skin or hyperpigmentation from acne, pregnancy, or sun exposure. This happens when the skin makes too much melanin as a result of injury or inflammation.
Often, people will use foundation or moisturizer to cover up this unevenness and discoloration.
But, what if instead of covering up the hyperpigmentation, you could make it go away for good? This is where chamomile comes into play. Chamomile is a skin lightener that promotes a healthy glow by healing and restoring the skin’s natural moisture content.
With its astringent and brightening properties, chamomile can tighten your pores, soften your skin, and reduce hyperpigmentation from acne scars and other issues.
Increases the Effectiveness of Other Skincare Products
Do you ever feel like your skincare products aren’t working as well as you’d hoped? Before you give up and switch to another brand, consider adding chamomile to your skincare regime.
Chamomile can increase the effectiveness of other skincare products. Whether it’s your moisturizer, eye serum, or exfoliator, adding chamomile can make all of these products more effective.
Soothes and Heals Burns
Chamomile can also soothe and heal burnt or damaged skin. Many people find chamomile to be effective when treating sunburns or other types of burns. It’s all great for those who get chemical peels, as the skin is very red and sensitive after a peel. By applying products containing chamomile after your treatment, you should see your skin calm down and heal quicker.
Reduces Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Do you suffer from noticeable dark circles under your eyes when you get a bad night’s sleep? If so, chamomile may be the skincare ingredient you need. Because chamomile can brighten the skin, it can help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Additionally, drinking chamomile tea can help calm you down and help you get a better night’s sleep, reducing the chance of waking up with dark circles under your eyes in the morning.
Types of Chamomile
There are two main types of chamomile: Roman chamomile and German chamomile. Additionally, there are three main compounds in chamomile that lead to benefits for the skin. These include:
- Matricin
- Chamazulene
- Bisabolol
German chamomile contains higher levels of bisabolol and chamazulene, so it’s usually considered more effective and is more often used in skincare products. Sometimes, you’ll also see the ingredient blue chamomile listed on skincare products. This is an extract of German chamomile oil.
Blue tansy is a similar plant, but it’s not the same thing as blue chamomile. You can also find green and yellow German chamomile oils, but they don’t have as much chamazulene as blue chamomile does.
Chamomile Side Effects
Unlike other harsh skincare products that can cause you to break out or get sick, most people don’t experience any adverse side effects from chamomile. However, some people are allergic to chamomile and suffer from allergic reactions.
To play it safe, we suggest applying a small amount of the skincare product containing chamomile to the back of your hand. Let the product sit for at least a few minutes. If your skin doesn’t have an adverse reaction (i.e., redness or itchiness), it should be safe to apply the product to the safe.
Also, if you’ve drunk chamomile tea without experiencing any adverse side effects, you should be fine. Just be careful about applying the product too close to your eyes, as some people find that chamomile causes slight eye irritation.
Skincare Products With the Power of Chamomile
While some people apply wet chamomile tea bags to their skin, we recommend purchasing skincare products made with chamomile. As we mentioned, chamomile can improve the efficacy of other skincare ingredients, so you’ll get more bang for your buck by using it in product form. Let’s look at some of our favorite skincare products that incorporate the benefits of chamomile:
Glycolic Gel Peel
This peel, enhanced with green tea, retinol, and chamomile, targets wrinkles and fine lines to reach deep into your skin, exfoliating and stimulating for a fresh, rejuvenated look.
UltraMUD Exfoliating and Clarifying Facial
This clinical strength treatment uses chamomile, tea tree oil, and more to combine the cleansing and exfoliating powers of mud masks and peels into one product. Use this chamomile-infused mask to get softer, brighter skin.
Exfoliating Body Lotion
The mix of salicylic and glycolic acid and fresh chamomile turns a skin hydrating lotion into a collagen-stimulating, exfoliating treatment full of antioxidants. This lotion promotes cell turnover and healthy pores for smoother, more vibrant skin.
How to Use Chamomile
From cleansers and serums to lotions, you can find chamomile on the ingredient lists of various skincare products. It works well with other ingredients like tea tree oil, green tea, and cucumber to address different skincare concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, redness, and acne.
Because chamomile is a mild ingredient, it’s safe to use on the skin every day. As we mentioned earlier, though, you should always test out a small amount before applying it liberally. And, remember to look into the reputation of the skincare brand before buying a product that contains chamomile.
Related: Methods for Skin Tightening
Chamomile for Skin
Chamomile is also a great choice for people with sensitive skin, and those with it can benefit immensely by adding chamomile products to their routine.
Chamomile is one ingredient you want in your skincare routine. Whether you have acne-prone skin, dry skin, or pigmentation areas, it has a little to help every type of skin type.
So, next time you consider a new skincare treatment, check to see if it has chamomile and experience increased skin repair, skin purifying, and inflammation healing properties.
Want to see the power of chamomile for yourself? Create your own custom skincare sample kit today!