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Chamomile Essential Oil
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (costly; used sparingly for color/scent)
☑ Cosmetics (low-level) — full dual-use ingredient
Chamomile essential oil exists in two forms that ORY® treats separately. German (blue) chamomile oil, steam-distilled from Matricaria chamomilla, is inky blue because distillation converts matricin into chamazulene, a potent anti-inflammatory that inhibits leukotriene formation [2]; it is also rich in alpha-bisabolol and bisabolol oxides, the soothing terpenes behind chamomile’s clinical record in eczema and irritation [1, 3]. Roman chamomile oil, from Chamaemelum nobile, is pale, apple-scented, and dominated by calming esters, favored for aromatherapy and sensitive-skin fragrance. Both are among the gentlest essential oils, with no dermal maximum in standard references [5], and both are expensive, so they are used at low levels — the extract and oil infusion (see companion documents) cover higher-volume uses. The main caution is allergy in daisy-family-sensitive individuals [4].
What is Chamomile Essential Oil made of?
Chamomile essential oil is steam-distilled from flower heads (yield ~0.3–1%). Composition [1, 2, 5]:
- German chamomile — chamazulene (2–18%), alpha-bisabolol (up to 50%), bisabolol oxides A/B, β-farnesene: Blue; anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound-healing.
- Roman chamomile — isobutyl angelate and other angelate/tiglate esters (up to 80%), pinocarvone: Pale yellow; calming, antispasmodic, gentle.
- Dermal maximum: None specified for either (Tisserand); typical leave-on 0.1–1%, soap 1–2% [5].
- Color note: German chamomile tints products blue-green and fades with light.
What skin type is best suited for Chamomile Essential Oil?
Chamomile essential oil is among the best essential oils for reactive skin:
- Sensitive: The primary indication — chamazulene and bisabolol calm redness and reactivity [1, 3]; 0.1–0.5%; patch test for Asteraceae allergy.
- Dry: Soothing in balms and creams for eczema-prone skin.
- Acne-prone: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial in spot blends.
- Mature: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support against inflammaging.
- Normal: Gentle daily calming oil.
- Combination: Calming serums for reactive zones.
- Oily: Low levels in light oils or solubilized toners.
What hair type is best suited for Chamomile Essential Oil?
Chamomile essential oil calms the scalp and is a classic blonde-care botanical:
- Oily scalp: Calming rather than degreasing; combine with rosemary or tea tree for oily scalps.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Antimicrobial support in shampoos and pre-shampoo scalp oils.
- Dry or damaged: Aromatic addition to hair oils (lengths and ends).
- Straight, wavy, curly, coily: Fragrance and scalp-comfort addition at low levels for all textures.
- Color-treated: Low-level use; avoid the first 48 hours after coloring.
- Sensitive scalp: Use at the lowest end of the range; patch test.
- Mature or thinning: Scalp-massage oils (with rosemary and lavender) for a healthy scalp environment.
What are the benefits of Chamomile Essential Oil?
Chamomile essential oil’s benefits are supported by reviews and clinical studies [1–3]:
- Anti-inflammatory: Chamazulene inhibits leukotriene B4 formation [2]; bisabolol reduces inflammatory cytokines.
- Eczema and irritation relief: Chamomile cream comparable to low-potency hydrocortisone in atopic eczema [3].
- Wound healing: Promotes granulation and re-epithelialization [1].
- Antimicrobial: Activity against skin bacteria and fungi [1].
- Antioxidant: Protects against oxidative stress.
- Calming aroma: Roman chamomile is a leading relaxation oil in aromatherapy.
- Scalp soothing: Reduces itch and irritation.
- Natural blue tint (German): Dye-free color for calming products.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Chamomile essential oil is a low-level, high-value addition to all four ORY® lines.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Calming serums and face oils, eczema balms, after-sun, post-wax products, eye-area oils (Roman, ≤0.1%). |
0.1–0.5% face; 0.5–1% body |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Sensitive-scalp shampoos and serums, blonde-care rinses and shine sprays. |
0.2–1% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Sensitive-skin bars at low levels (chamomile tea as lye water carries the bulk of the botanical); pairs with lavender. |
0.5–2% of oil weight |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Calming lip balms, redness-neutralizing balms (German blue), solid perfumes (Roman). |
0.05–0.3% |
Pros and cons of Chamomile Essential Oil
Pros
Cons
- Exceptionally gentle: No dermal maximum [5]; suited to reactive skin.
- Clinical soothing evidence: [1, 3].
- Two aromatic profiles: Blue German for skin; apple-sweet Roman for calm.
- Four-line utility: All ORY® products.
- Natural blue color: German chamomile.
- Cost: Among the more expensive essential oils.
- Asteraceae allergy: Ragweed-sensitive customers may react [4]; patch test.
- Color fading: Blue fades to green/brown in light and in soap.
- Adulteration: Verify by GC/MS (chamazulene/bisabolol for German; esters for Roman).
- Subtle scent in soap: Pair with lavender for aroma.
What is the best application of Chamomile Essential Oil?
Chamomile essential oil is diluted into calming products:
- Calming face oil: 0.25% German chamomile in jojoba.
- Eczema balm: 0.5% with calendula infusion.
- After-sun or post-wax: 0.5% with lavender and aloe.
- Eye-area oil: 0.1% Roman chamomile in apricot-kernel oil.
- Sensitive-scalp serum: 0.5% in jojoba.
- Blonde shine spray: Solubilized 0.2%.
- Soap: 1–2% with lavender in a chamomile-tea bar.
- Cosmetics: Lip balm; solid perfume.
Peer-reviewed references
- Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: a herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports. 2010;3(6):895–901.
- Safayhi H, Sabieraj J, Sailer ER, Ammon HP. Chamazulene: an antioxidant-type inhibitor of leukotriene B4 formation. Planta Medica. 1994;60(5):410–413.
- Patzelt-Wenczler R, Ponce-Pöschl E. Proof of efficacy of Kamillosan® cream in atopic eczema. European Journal of Medical Research. 2000;5(4):171–175.
- Paulsen E. Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis. 2002;47(4):189–198.
- Tisserand R, Young R. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. 2nd ed. Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier; 2014. (Dermal-limit reference.)
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about chamomile essential oil as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, acne, dandruff, infections, wounds, pain, headache, anxiety, insomnia, hair loss, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Chamomile is in the daisy (Asteraceae) family, so people allergic to ragweed or related plants may react. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
