How To Make Chamomile Oil

Chamomile has a long history of use in herbal and skincare traditions, especially in products designed to feel soothing and comforting on the skin.

Some traditional plant remedies have been studied for antimicrobial or soothing effects, but they should not be treated as substitutes for antibiotics, wound care, or medical treatment.

In skincare, plant extracts and oils can add fragrance, emollience, or soothing benefits, although they are not proven cures for conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, or infections.

Chamomile is one of the better-known botanical ingredients used in teas, cosmetics, and traditional remedies.

Topical chamomile preparations have been explored for their soothing and anti-inflammatory potential, but the effect depends on the extract, concentration, formulation, and individual skin tolerance.

A jar of chamomile-infused oil can be a simple DIY skincare ingredient if you enjoy botanical oils and your skin tolerates them well.

Instead of buying a ready-made product, you can make a simple oil infusion with dried chamomile flowers and a carrier oil. This is different from chamomile essential oil, which is highly concentrated and produced through distillation.

Most of the supplies are easy to find online, at a market, or in a natural-food shop.

Making it yourself lets you control the ingredients, but homemade products still require clean tools, dry plant material, and careful storage to reduce spoilage risk.

So, how do you make chamomile oil?

You can make chamomile-infused oil by steeping thoroughly dried chamomile flowers in a carrier oil, either slowly at room temperature or with very gentle indirect heat. The flowers need to stay dry and fully submerged, and the finished oil should be strained into a clean, dry container.

Keep reading for a practical step-by-step method, plus safer ways to use the finished infusion in a skincare routine.

Benefits Of Chamomile

Chamomile has been used traditionally for centuries, and its flowers contain compounds that have attracted interest for their antioxidant and soothing properties.

• Traditionally used for relaxation
• Contains plant compounds with antimicrobial activity in laboratory settings
• Traditionally used in calming preparations
• May help soothe the appearance of irritated skin in suitable formulations
• Traditionally used in topical preparations for minor skin discomfort
• Traditionally used in herbal teas for digestive comfort
• Contains antioxidant plant compounds

Its composition varies by species, growing conditions, extraction method, and formulation, so benefits from chamomile tea, essential oil, and an infused carrier oil are not interchangeable.

The best-known species include Roman chamomile and German chamomile, although their botanical names can vary in older references and product labels.

They contain different proportions of aromatic and plant compounds, which is one reason extracts and essential oils from the two species can smell and behave differently.

Claims that one type is categorically a stronger sedative or antidepressant are too broad for a topical DIY oil and should not guide skincare use.

German chamomile is well known for compounds such as bisabolol-related constituents and azulene-forming compounds, which are often discussed in relation to soothing cosmetic formulations.

Both varieties have a history of traditional use, but a homemade oil infusion should be treated as a cosmetic skin-conditioning product, not as a medicine for infection, pain, or wound healing.

Skincare Uses For Chamomile Oil

If you’re looking for ideas for using your chamomile oil, start with simple, low-risk uses on intact skin.

Chamomile-infused oil is mainly an emollient botanical oil. You can use a small amount on dry areas or mix it into an oil-based product you already tolerate.

Chamomile is not automatically safe for sensitive skin. People with allergies to plants in the daisy or ragweed family may be more likely to react, so patch testing is sensible.

• Mix a small amount into a plain body or facial oil before applying it to intact skin.
• Apply a thin layer to a small dry area for a short contact test before wider use.
• Use a small amount on dry lips only if the ingredients are food-safe and the oil does not cause irritation.
• Avoid using it as a stand-alone acne treatment; it is not a proven replacement for ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
• Apply a small amount to dry, non-broken skin if you want an extra emollient layer.
• Use it at the end of your routine if your skin tolerates facial oils and does not become congested from them.
• Do not apply homemade infused oil to open cuts, punctures, burns, or infected skin.
• Massage it into dry areas such as elbows, knees, or hands if your skin tolerates the carrier oil.
• Use it as a cosmetic emollient on mature or dry-looking skin, without expecting it to reverse wrinkles or age-related changes.

The safest approach is to keep its use simple and cosmetic rather than treating the infusion as a cure-all.

Chamomile-infused oil may feel soothing and moisturising because of the carrier oil, but any added fragrance compounds can also irritate sensitive skin.

The scent will depend on the chamomile and carrier oil you use. Stop using it if you notice itching, burning, redness, or swelling.

How To Make Chamomile Oil

To make chamomile-infused oil, gather a few clean, dry supplies:

• Chamomile flowers
• Carrier oil
• Glass jar
• Double-boiler (optional)

Chamomile Flowers

First, decide which dried chamomile flowers to use and where you will source them.

Either Roman or German chamomile can be used for a cosmetic oil infusion, although the aroma and plant chemistry differ.

If your goal is skincare, focus on using clean, properly dried flowers rather than choosing a species based on unproven claims about treating acne or redness.

You can forage chamomile only if you are confident in the plant identification and know the area has not been treated with pesticides, herbicides, or roadside contaminants.

If you are not completely certain of the species, buy dried chamomile from a reputable supplier instead.

Most importantly, the flowers should be fully dried before they go into oil. Residual water can encourage microbial growth and spoilage in homemade infusions.

If foraging is not your thing, buying pre-dried flowers is the easier and more predictable option.

Many loose-leaf chamomile teas contain dried chamomile flowers, although tea blends can also contain other herbs or flavourings. You can even order dried chamomile on Amazon. 

Carrier Oil

A carrier oil is the base that extracts some oil-soluble compounds from the flowers. Choose one you already know your skin tolerates.

• Jojoba oil
• Argan oil
• Sunflower oil
• Olive oil
• Sweet almond oil

These oils differ in texture, oxidation stability, and how they feel on different skin types. None is guaranteed to be non-comedogenic or irritation-free for everyone.

Infusion Method

There are two practical approaches:

• Room-temperature infusion
• Double-boiler infusion

A slow infusion is simple: combine the dried flowers and oil in a clean, dry jar and let them steep away from heat and moisture.

Gentle warmth can speed extraction, but direct sunlight and excessive heat can also accelerate oxidation of some carrier oils.

A slow infusion often takes several weeks. There is no exact day when every batch becomes “fully infused,” so use a practical window and monitor the oil for changes in smell or appearance.

If you want a faster method, use very gentle indirect heat rather than high temperatures that could degrade the carrier oil or scorch the flowers.

A double boiler can help keep the heat indirect, but the oil should be warmed gently rather than simmered or fried.

Instructions

For a simple batch, use enough dried flowers to loosely fill part of the jar and enough carrier oil to keep them completely submerged. Exact ratios can vary with flower density and jar size.

• About 20g fully dried chamomile flowers
• Enough carrier oil to fully cover the flowers, roughly 12oz for this example
• A clean, completely dry glass jar with enough headspace for mixing
• A double boiler if using the warm-infusion method

If you’re using the slow room-temperature infusion method, follow these steps:

1. Place the fully dried chamomile flowers into a clean, dry jar.
2. Pour the carrier oil over the flowers until they are completely submerged, leaving a little headspace.
3. Seal the jar and gently turn or shake it so trapped air can escape and the flowers remain coated in oil.
4. Store the jar in a cool, dark place rather than in strong direct sunlight.
5. Let it infuse for about 3-4 weeks, gently turning the jar every few days and checking for moisture, mold, off smells, or gas buildup.
6. Strain the oil through clean cheesecloth or a fine filter into a clean, completely dry bottle or jar. Discard the plant material.

If you’re using the double-boiler method, keep the heat low and indirect:

1. Add water to the lower pan and bring it to a very gentle simmer.
2. Place the dried chamomile and carrier oil together in the heat-safe upper container rather than heating dry flowers on their own.
3. Keep the flowers fully submerged in oil and stir gently from time to time.
4. Warm the mixture gently for a few hours without letting the oil boil or overheat.
5. The oil may become slightly darker or more aromatic, but color and scent are not reliable measures of safety or potency.
6. Remove it from the heat, let it cool, then strain into a clean, completely dry container and discard the flowers.

Once strained, label the jar with the carrier oil, chamomile type, and date so you can monitor freshness.

Because homemade infused oils are not laboratory-tested for stability, it is safer to make small batches and use them while the carrier oil still smells and looks fresh. Discard the oil if it develops an off smell, cloudiness, unexpected moisture, mold, or other signs of spoilage.

Vitamin E can act as an antioxidant that may slow oxidation in some oil blends, but it is not a broad-spectrum preservative and will not make a contaminated or water-containing product microbiologically safe.

Here’s a visual tutorial from Leelee Isaac on YouTube. Compare any demonstration with the safety points above, especially the need for fully dried flowers and clean, dry equipment.

Does Chamomile Oil Lighten Skin?

Chamomile has a long history in skincare, but claims that chamomile-infused oil can reliably lighten skin need to be treated cautiously.

There is not strong evidence that a homemade chamomile oil infusion will fade dark spots or significantly even skin tone. Any brightening effect is more likely to come from temporary hydration and reduced dryness than true pigment removal.

It should not be expected to remove a tan, erase age spots, or lighten skin beyond its natural tone. For persistent hyperpigmentation, proven ingredients and daily sun protection are more reliable options.

Final Thoughts

Chamomile-infused oil is simple to make, but homemade does not automatically mean safer or better than a professionally formulated product.

Its main benefits are the emollient effect of the carrier oil and the sensory appeal of a botanical infusion. Clean equipment, dry plant material, and careful storage matter.

Use it only on intact skin, patch test first, and avoid mixing it into water-based skincare products unless you understand preservation and formulation.

If your skin tolerates botanical oils, this can be an enjoyable DIY project. If you develop irritation, stop using it and switch back to a simpler routine.

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