Chamomile (Chamomila Recutita) is a flower in the Asteraceae species commonly used as a tea leaf; it serves many functions in skin care too.

Since the days of ancient Greece, scholars and scientists at the level of Hippocrates (the father of medicine) have recognized the beneficial attributes of chamomile. ⁽¹⁸⁾

It is anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, and has uses in acne treatments as well. 

Hyperpigmentation treatments may contain chamomile extract in combination with tyrosinase inhibiting and other skin lightening ingredients.

It is one of the seven most commonly used and studied herbs in medicine. ^(19,8)

To find out if chamomile is right for your skin care routine, whether it is safe for your skin, and what it is capable of, keep reading this article and take our skin type questionnaire!

Chamomile extract is a liquid pressed from chamomile leaves and petals.

Chamomile extract is used across skin care and general medicine for centuries to treat various skin conditions such as eczema, acne, rosacea, skin inflammation, and hyperpigmentation. ^(5,6,7)

It is rich in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hydrating, and antimicrobial properties.

It has a floral, desirable aroma; it is often considered an essential oil.

Because it does not have any fatty acids, it is not a dry oil, nor a true oil.

The most significant active compounds in chamomile extract are the terpenoids chamazulene and a-bisabolol (AKA levomenol). ^(4,14)

Bisabolol is a potent anti-inflammatory compound, and is essential to the functions of chamomile extract, composing half of its oil weight. ⁽²²⁾

Other notable compounds found in chamomile extract are the terpenoid matricine and the flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin.

The flavonoids present in chamomile extract are known effective anti-histamines which help with itching, as well as for their antioxidant properties. ^(24,27)

The traditional uses of chamomile are as an anti-inflammatory for conditions such as eczema, gout, and even some discomfort related to arthritis. ^(1,12,16)

It has even demonstrated significant benefits towards wound healing on the skin. ⁽¹³⁾

There are antimicrobial, antioxidant, and moisturizing benefits commonly attributed to chamomile extract as well.

Chamomile is generally considered as safe for use in skin care unless you have an allergy to it.

In skin care, there is some evidence to support it causing contact dermatitis on the skin following topical use of chamomile. ^(20,47)

In most cases, allergic reactions to chamomile appear to be minimal, and only happen to individuals with a specific relevant allergy to chamomile. ⁽⁴⁸⁾

It has also been deemed safe for use in cosmetics by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel.

Chamomile is one of the most common allergens used regularly in skin care, so it is extremely important to your skin health that you determine whether or not you are also allergic to it if you plan on purchasing/applying chamomile products.

Depending on where your chamomile was grown, there are actually different levels of allergenicity present in the ingredient.

It is particular chemicals within chamomile such as anthocotulide that cause allergic reactions, and some varieties of the plant contain more of some allergenic chemicals than other varieties do. ⁽⁷⁾

Chamomile extract is a common allergen in skin care. It is a member of the Asteraceae species, so if you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, fever few and dahlias, you are likely to also be allergic to chamomile. ⁽⁷¹⁾

Products that commonly cause allergic reactions containing chamomile can include facial cleansers, soaps, serums, lotions, creams and room sprays.

Reports have shown that it can cause contact dermatitis (irritation, redness) if you have an allergy to it. ^(28,54)

If you are allergic to chamomile as a tea, you are likely also allergic to it as a skin care ingredient.

Chamomile extract is considered safe for topical use in many circumstances, barring known allergy or other related sensitivities.

If you are not allergic to chamomile, it can be safe for use in your regimen.

Chamomile extract has long been used for multiple functions in skin care such as an anti-inflammation and photodamage prevention treatment. ⁽¹⁸⁾

It is also a natural moisturizer despite not containing any fatty acids, because it increases fluid permeability on the outer layers of skin (the stratum corneum). ^(18,34,35)

However, it should be included with barrier repair moisturizers to treat dry skin and eczema.

Chamomile extract is safe for use while you have acne because it is not comedogenic, and it can eliminate acne causing bacteria on the skin.

Products that clog pores often contain specific comedogenic fatty acids like stearic acid, but chamomile extract does not.

There are many effective acne routines depending on your skin type, so be sure to shop by your Baumann Skin Type for the best acne products for you!

Here are some of my favorite acne products with chamomile:

Chamomile can be quite good to use in treatments of eczema depending on your skin type and personal skin concerns.

Chamomile contains the compound levomenol, a natural moisturizing agent, as well as chamazulene which is known to sooth inflammation. These compounds together in chamomile are considered good for treating eczema.

Chamomile extract does have some skin lightening capabilities, meaning it can be used in the treatment of many kinds of hyperpigmentation such as dark spots.

Skin lightening ingredients derived from natural sources, like chamomile or rose oil, are best used together with other skin lighteners like tyrosinase inhibitors, PAR-2 blockers, or unsaturated oils.

Chamomile could be good in treatments of melasma, PIH, or freckles.

Here are some great chamomile products for dark spots:

Chamomile has been shown to demonstrate some antioxidant properties in multiple studies. ⁽²⁶⁾

Antioxidants bind free radicals on the skin, keeping them from causing long term damage to the skin, preventing skin aging.

Like many anti-aging ingredients, they are only really effective as part of a whole routine that targets each of the factors responsible for skin aging.

Here are some of my favorite products with chamomile for aging concerns:

Thanks for checking out this blog on chamomile in skin care! I hope you feel empowered to take more control of your skin health by understanding how this ingredient works. Learn about other skin care ingredients in our library, and find your Baumann Skin Type if you haven't yet so you can learn what products are right for your skin type.

1. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.). Phytother Res. 20:519, 2006.

2. Paulsen E, Otkjaer A, Andersen KE. The coumarin herniarin as a sensitizer in German chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert, Compositate]. Contact Dermatitis. 62:338, 2010.

3. No authors listed. Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile). Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 13:58, 2008.

4. Safayhi H, Sabieraj J, Sailer ER, et al. Chamazulene: an antioxidant-type inhibitor of leukotriene B4 formation. Planta Med. 60:410, 1994.

5. Hörmann HP, Korting HC. Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical herbal drugs in dermatology: Part I: Anti-inflammatory agents. Phytomedicine. 1:161, 1994.

6. O’Hara M, Kiefer D, Farrell K, et al. A review of 12 commonly used medicinal herbs. Arch Fam Med. 7:523, 1998.

7. Paulsen E. Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis. 47:189, 2002.

8. Curra M, Martins MA, Lauxen IS, et al. Effect of topical chamomile on immunohistochemical levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in 5-fluoouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 71:293, 2013.

9. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal (Vol. I). New York, NY, Dover Publications, 1971, p. 185.

10. Ross SM. An integrative approach to eczema (atopic dermatitis). Holist Nurs Pract. 17:56, 2003.

11. Wu J. Anti-inflammatory ingredients. J Drugs Dermatol. 7:s13, 2008.

12. Bhaskaran N, Shukla S, Srivastava JK, et al. Chamomile: an anti-inflammatory agent inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by blocking RelA/p65 activity. Int J Mol Med. 26:935, 2010.

13. Martins MD, Marques MM, Bussadori SK, et al. Comparative analysis between Chamomilla recutita and corticosteroids on wound healing. An in vitro and in vivo study. Phytother Res. 23:274, 2009.

14. Barene I, Daberte I, Zvirgzdina L, et al. The complex technology on products of German chamomile. Medicina (Kaunas). 39 Suppl 2:127, 2003.

15. Foster S. An Illustrated Guide to 101 Medicinal Herbs: Their History, Use, Recommended Dosages, and Cautions. Loveland, CO, Interweave Press, 1998, pp. 54-55.

16. Srivastava JK, Gupta S. Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chamomile extract in various human cancer cells. J Agric Food Chem. 55:9470, 2007.

17. Dohil MA. Natural ingredients in atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory skin disease. J Drugs Dermatol. 12:s128, 2013.

18. Baumann LS. Less-known botanical cosmeceuticals. Dermatol Ther. 20:330, 2007.

19. Dockrell TR, Leever JS. An overview of herbal medications with implications for the school nurse. J Sch Nurs. 16:53, 2000.

20. Subiza J, Subiza JL, Alonso M, et al. Allergic conjunctivitis to chamomile tea. Ann Allergy. 65:127, 1990.

21. Reuter J, Merfort I, Schempp CM. Botanicals in dermatology: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 11:247, 2010.

22. Russell K, Jacob SE. Bisabolol. Dermatitis. 21:57, 2010.

23. Savikin K, Zdunić G, Menković N, et al. Ethnobotanical study on traditional use of medicinal plants in South-Western Serbia, Zlatibor district. J Ethnopharmacol. 146:803, 2013.

24. Máday E, Szöke E, Muskáth Z, et al. A study of the production of essential oils in chamomile hairy root cultures. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 24:303, 1999.

25. Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT, Healing Arts Press, 2003, p. 68.

26. Lee KG, Shibamoto T. Determination of antioxidant potential of volatile extracts isolated from various herbs and spices. J Agric Food Chem. 50:4947, 2002.

27. Reszko AE, Berson D, Lupo MP. Cosmeceuticals: practical applications. Dermatol Clin. 27:401, 2009.

28. Paulsen E, Christensen LP, Andersen KE. Cosmetics and herbal remedies with Compositae plant extracts - are they tolerated by Compositae-allergic patients? Contact Dermatitis. 58:15, 2008.

29. Avallone R, Zanoli P, Puia G, et al. Pharmacological profile of apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Matricaria chamomilla. Biochem Pharmacol. 59:1387, 2000.

30. Wu J. Skin care update: the role of natural products in clinical practice. Introduction. J Drugs Dermatol. 7:s1, 2008.

31. Chandrashekhar VM, Halagali KS, Nidavani RB, et al. Anti-allergic activity of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) in mast cell mediated allergy model. J Ethnopharmacol. 137:336, 2011.

32. Speisky H, Rocco C, Carrasco C, et al. Antioxidant screening of medicinal herbal teas. Phytother Res. 20:462, 2006.

33. Srivastava JK, Pandey M, Gupta S. Chamomile, a novel and selective COX-2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity. Life Sci. 85:663, 2009.

34. Gardiner P. Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: chamomile. Pediatr Rev. 28:e16, 2007.

35. Pavesi VC, Lopez TC, Martins MA, et al. Healing action of topical chamomile on 5-fluoracil induced oral mucositis in hamster. Support Care Cancer. 19:639, 2011.

36. Aertgeerts P, Albring M, Klaschka F, et al. Comparative testing of Kamillosan cream and steroidal (0.25% hydrocortisone, 0.75% fluocortin butyl ester) and non-steroidal (5% bufexamac) dermatologic agents in maintenance therapy of eczematous diseases. Z Hautkr. 60:270, 1985.

37. Patzelt-Wenczler R, Ponce-Pöschl E. Proof of efficacy of Kamillosan® cream in atopic eczema. Eur J Med Res. 5:171, 2000.

38. Lee SH, Heo Y, Kim YC. Effect of German chamomile oil application on alleviating atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice. J Vet Sci. 11:35, 2010.

39. Tubaro A, Zilli C, Redaelli C, et al. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of a chamomile extract after topical application. Planta Med. 50:359, 1984.

40. Shipochliev T, Dimitrov A, Aleksandrova E. Anti-inflammatory action of a group of plant extracts. Vet Med Nauki. 18:87, 1981.

41. Drummond EM, Harbourne N, Marete E, et al. Inhibition of proinflammatory biomarkers in THP1 macrophages by polyphenols derived from chamomile, meadowsweet and willow bark. Phytother Res. 27:588, 2013.

42. Merfort I, Heilmann J, Hagedorn-Leweke U, et al. In vivo skin penetration studies of chamomile flavones. Pharmazie. 49:509, 1994.

43. Jarrahi M, Vafaei AA, Taherian AA, et al. Evaluation of topical Matricaria chamomilla extract activity on linear incisional wound healing in albino rats. Nat Prod Res. 24:697, 2010.

44. Jarrahi M. An experimental study of the effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract on cutaneous burn wound healing in albino rats. Nat Prod Res. 22:422, 2008.

45. Charousaei F, Dabirian A, Mojab F. Using chamomile solution or a 1% topical hydrocortisone ointment in the management of peristomal skin lesions in colostomy patients: results of a controlled clinical study. Ostomy Wound Manage. 57:28, 2011.

46. Reddy KK, Grossman L, Rogers GS. Common complementary and alternative therapies with potential use in dermatologic surgery: risks and benefits. J Am Acad Dermatol. 68:e127, 2013.

47. Foti C, Nettis E, Panebianco R, et al. Contact urticaris from Matricaria chamomile. Contact Dermatitis. 42:360, 2000.

48. Compositae Allergy, DermNet website: http://www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/compositae-allergy.html. Accessed March 16, 2014.

49. Paulsen E, Andersen KE. Patch testing with constituents of Compositae mixes. Contact Dermatitis. 66:241, 2012.

50. Aburjai T, Natsheh FM. Plants used in cosmetics. Phytother Res. 17:987, 2003.

51. de la Torre Morín F, Sánchez Machín I, García Robaina JC, et al. Clinical cross-reactivity between Artemisia vulgaris and Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile). J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 11:118, 2001.

52. Thornfeldt C. Cosmeceuticals containing herbs: fact, fiction, and future. Dermatol Surg. 31:873, 2005.

53. Jovanović M, Poljacki M, Duran V, et al. Contact allergy to Compositae plants in patients with atopic dermatitis. Med Pregl. 57:209, 2004.

54. Andres C, Chen WC, Ollert M, et al. Anaphylactic reaction to chamomile tea. Allergol Int. 58:135, 2009.

55. Heck AM, De Witt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 57:1221, 2000.

56. Abebe W. Herbal medication: potential for adverse interactions with analgesic drugs. J Clin Pharm Ther. 27:391, 2002.

57. Wilkinson JM. What do we know about herbal morning sickness treatments? A literature survey. Midwifery. 16:224, 2000.

58. Ogata I, Kawanai T, Hashimoto E, et al. Bisabololoxide A, one of the main constituents in German chamomile extract, induces apoptosis in rat thymocytes. Arch Toxicol. 84:45, 2010.

59. Wilkinson SM, Hausen BM, Beck MH. Allergic contact dermatitis from plant extracts in a cosmetic. Contact Dermatitis. 33:58, 1995.

60. Pastor N, Silvestre JF, Mataix J, et al. Contact cheilitis from bisabolol and polyvinylpyrrolidone/hexadecane copolymer in lipstick. Contact Dermatitis. 58:178, 2008.

61. Jarić S, Popović Z, Macukanović-Jocić M, et al. An ethnobotanical study on the usage of wild medicinal herbs from Kopaonik Mountain (Central Serbia). J Ethnopharmacol. 111:160, 2007.

62. Rügge SD, Nielsen M, Jacobsen AS, et al. Evidence of dermatological effects of chamomile. Ugeskr Laeger. 172:3492, 2010.

63. Ramos MF, Santos EP, Bizarri CH, et al. Preliminary studies towards utilization of various plant extracts as antisolar agents. Int J Cosmet Sci. 18:87, 1996.

64. Evans S, Dizeyi N, Abrahamsson PA, et al. The effect of a novel botanical agent TBS-101 on invasive prostate cancer in animal models. Anticancer Res. 29:3917, 2009.

65. Shukla S, Gupta S. Apigenin suppresses insulin-like growth factor I receptor signaling in human prostate cancer: an in vitro and in vivo study. Mol Carcinog. 48:243, 2009.

66. Mamalis A, Nguyen DH, Brody N, et al. The active natural anti-oxidant properties of chamomile, milk thistle, and halophilic bacterial components in human skin in vitro. J Drugs Dermatol. 12:780, 2013.

67. Kogiannou DA, Kalogeropoulos N, Kefalas P, et al. Herbal infusions; their phenolic profile, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in HT29 and PC3 cells. Food Chem Toxicol. 61:152, 2013.

68. Koch C, Reichling J, Schneele J, et al. Inhibitory effect of essential oils against herpes simplex virus type 2. Phytomedicine. 15:71, 2008.

69. Mazokopakis EE, Vrentzos GE, Papadakis JA, et al. Wild chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) mouthwashes in methotrexate-induced oral mucositis. Phytomedicine. 12:25, 2005.

70. Vanessa, V. V., Wan Ahmad Kammal, W. S. L., Lai, Z. W., & How, K. N. (2022). A Review of Moisturizing Additives for Atopic Dermatitis. Cosmetics, 9(4), 75.

71. Denisow-Pietrzyk, M., Pietrzyk, Ł., & Denisow, B. (2019). Asteraceae species as potential environmental factors of allergy. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26, 6290-6300.