Chamomile is widely used in folk medicine and home cosmetology for many years for its unique medicinal and healing properties.
People create many cosmetic products with chamomile: toners, lotions, masks, shampoos, hair rinsers, and healing salves. Chamomile is quite hypoallergenic, which makes it suitable for any skin type.
It is so mild and gentle, that you can even use on a newborn.
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Is chamomile good for your skin? Chamomile Benefits for Skin
- Chamomile has a regenerative effect which promotes wound healing; this effect is very beneficial for those people who have acne scars;
- Has antiseptic properties;
- Relieves irritation, inflammation and redness (that is why many skin care products for sensitive skin contain chamomile ingredient);
- Cleanse skin well without stripping off protective outer skin layer;
- Clears out clogged pores and controls skin oil over production:
- Lightens up age and sun spots;
- Improves and brightens up skin tone;
- Hydrates skin very well;
- Improves blood circulation, lightens up dark circles under eyes;
- Delivers nutrients to skin;
- Smoothes wrinkles and fine lines;
- Protects skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.
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Does chamomile lighten skin?
Yes, it does. Chamomile tea and chamomile oil lighten up skin and make your skin look glowing.
As you can see, this beautiful herb has many unique properties. However, it is mostly used for its healing, soothing and calming effects.
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How to use chamomile for skin?
We are going to discuss 2 ways of using this herb for our skin. These methods are easy and anyone can do them at home.
- Use chamomile tea as a base for skin and hair products
- Make infused oil as a base for body butters, lotions, lip balms and healing salves.
Let’s start with the first way.
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How to Make Chamomile Infused Water
There are many, many recipes that you can find around internet on how to prepare chamomile tea. They are all good, however, I wanted to obtain the most concentrated base for skin care product. You usually obtain strong concentration of a herb by steaming it for a prolonged period of time.
That is why I use double-boiler system. It allows me to keep water at high temperatures for a long period of time, letting all ingredients from chamomile herb to infuse into the water. Also, in double-boiler system you do not boil the water; boiling herbs reduces the amount of “good” ingredients in a herb.
You can always make a tea from a tea bag and it will also be suitable as a toner or hair rinser. However, if you would like to have a more concentrated product, then let’s use double-boiler.
- Prepare a double-boiler (I use simple cooking pot different size)
- Take 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile herb and put in a small pot.
- Add 1 cup of warm water.
- Cover small pot with a lid.
- Turn stove on a highest heat level, bring water in a large pot to boil, reduce heat and let simmer.
- You decide how long you would want to simmer the herb. The longer you do it, the more concentrated your end product will be. I usually do it for about 30-40 min.
- Do not let water in the smaller pot boil, keep it at the highest temperature, but not boiling.
- Once you are done, turn off the heat and let your “tea” cool down naturally.
- Strain the water (it will be light to dark brown color).
- Keep it in a glass container in a dark place. Shelf life – 3 days. Life in a fridge – 1 week.
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How to Make Chamomile Oil
You can just pour oil over the the herb and set in a dark place for 2 weeks. However, if you do not have patience to wait (I never do lol), then you can use a double-boiler method (again) to spend up the process to couple of hours.
The method of preparation is similar to water infusion.
- Prepare a double-boiler.
- Put 3 tablespoons of dried herb into a smaller pot and cover with 150 ml (5 ounces) of oil (use any carrier oil: jojoba, apricot, sesame etc).
- Heat water in a bigger pot and bring it to a boiling point; do not let to boil – reduce the heat immediately; the water in a big pot should be hot, but not boiling.
- Let oil infuse for about 2-3 hours, DO NOT cover small pot with a lid.
- Remove small pot from heat, let infusion to cool down, strain it to a glass container.
- Keep away from light and moist.
- Shelf life of this infusion is quite long, 2-4 months.
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How to use chamomile water infusion for skin.
You can pat chamomile water under your eye – it will help you to remove under eye bags, reduce any redness.
Use chamomile water as a toner – it will brighten up your skin, regulate skin oil production and assist with acne.
Chamomile toner with also reduce skin redness, irritation and inflammation (this type of toner is perfect for sensitive skin).
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How to use chamomile oil for skin.
You can apply oil to your hands, feet, elbows to smooth roughened and dark skin.
Add some oil to your body lotion.
Use oil in homemade masks.
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DIY Chamomile mask for dry skin
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of chamomile infused oil
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon of liquid honey
(you can substitute infused oil with 5-10 drops of chamomile essential oil)
Recipe:
- Mix all ingredients
- Apply to clean, dry face
- Leave on for 15 min and wash off with lukewarm water
- You can apply this mask 2-3 times a week
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Chamomile Mask for Oily Skin
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of chamomile infused oil
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
Recipe:
- Mix all ingredients
- Apply to clean, dry face
- Leave on for 15 min and wash off with lukewarm water
- You can apply this mask 1 time per week
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Anti-aging and Brightening Chamomile Mask
This mask cleans and whitens the skin, balances skin oil production and makes pores look less visible.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of clay (blue, white or pink)
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera juice
- 1-2 teaspoon of chamomile infused water
Recipe:
- Mix clay with aloe vera juice and chamomile water
- Add honey and mix together
- Apply to clean face
- Let clay dry (3-7 min) and wash off immediately with warm water
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Cleansing Mask with Chamomile Water
This mask gently exfoliates the skin, making your skin looking clean and moisturized.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of oats (grind in either coffee grinder, or simple blender)
- 2 tablespoons of HOT chamomile water
Recipe:
- Pour water over oats, wait for 2-3 minutes
- Apply to wet clean face and wait for 10-15 min
- Wash off with lukewarm water
+If you have oily skin or would like to clear up blackheads, add 1 teaspoon of any clay.
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Anti-inflammatory Face Toner with Chamomile and Mint
This toner will reduce redness, irritation and inflammation on the skin. It will also refresh and brighten your skin.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of chamomile water
- 3 tablespoons of mint tea
Recipe:
- Pour both liquids in glass jar
- Use as a toner in the morning and at night
- You can also pour this toner into a spray bottle and spray skin throughout the day.
- Shelf life – 3 days maximum
How to Use Chamomile Oil for Hair
Yes, that is right, chamomile is also very good for your hair. It nourishes, moisturizes and repairs dry, damaged and frizzy hair.
Simply apply oil to hair ends and leave for 15 minutes. Then wash off with shampoo.
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Chamomile Shampoo
You can easily enhance any shampoo or conditioner with benefits of chamomile.
Apply few drops of chamomile essential oil to your favorite hair products in the following proportions:
- 2 tablespoons of hair product
- 10 drops of essential oil
Chamomile is an amazing herb to add to your skin care routine. It contains many, many useful elements to calm irritated and inflamed skin.
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The composition of the herb is as follows:
Flavonoids – provide reliable protection of the skin from ultraviolet rays;
Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons – protect the surface of the skin;
Organic acids – help to even out skin tone and keep skin moisturized;
Capryl acid – has an anti fungal effect, relaxes muscles;
Polysaccharides – strengthen protective barrier of the skin;
Beta-sitosterol – moisturizes skin;
Carotene – makes the skin silky and smooth;
Choline – helps to accelerate metabolic and restorative processes.
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This is not the full list of chamomile composition, however, you probably see how good this herb is for your skin and hair.
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Of course, as with any ingredient, you might have personal intolerances and allergies. So always perform a patch test before using a product on your face, skin and hair.