Nature has gifted us with so many healing herbs and flowers that it would be a waste not to use them. Did you know that marigolds can be used to heal wounds? Or that garlic is more effective against bacteria than many well-known antibiotics?
When it comes to skincare, there are dozens of plants that can be used to treat a range of skin conditions, like rashes and psoriasis. Chamomile is one of these plants. Chamomile is a common flower that most of you have probably encountered hundreds of times on the side of the road.
But this little flower has so many uses in medicine, skincare, and beauty; it shouldn’t be ignored! Chamomile has been used to soothe skin, treat inflammation, and heal wounds. Everyone should have a jar of chamomile oil in their bathroom cabinet because there will always be a need for this natural healer.
Before you run to spend your money on a chamomile-infused skincare product, consider making one yourself. Chamomile oil is easy to make and you don’t need any fancy equipment.
Most of the ingredients can be bought at your local market. Plus, if you make it yourself, you’ll be confident there aren’t any questionable ingredients in it.
So how do you make chamomile oil? You’ll simply infuse a carrier oil with chamomile flowers using heat. You’ll end up with a big jar of lovely-smelling oil that you’ll be able to mix into your other skincare products or use by itself.
Keep reading for simple step-by-step instructions and a list of ways you can use this soothing oil.
Benefits Of Chamomile
Chamomile has been used for thousands of years for various medicinal purposes, as it has the following properties:
- Antidepressant
- Antiseptic and antibiotic
- Sedative
- Reduces inflammation
- Treats wounds
- Digestive tonic
- Antioxidant
There are many other uses for this herb, depending on the type of chamomile you’re working with. The most common types of chamomile are Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) and German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla).
The two types of chamomile are similar, but each contains slightly different compounds, which affect the properties of the herb and its uses.
For example, Roman chamomile performs better as a sedative and antidepressant, while German chamomile is a very powerful anti-inflammatory agent due to the presence of a compound called azulene.
Both varieties have been used to prevent infection, calm the mind, relieve pain, and help with skincare issues.
Skincare Uses For Chamomile Oil
If you’re looking for ideas on how to use your chamomile oil, we have several ideas for you. Chamomile oil is versatile. It can be added to almost any skincare product you’re already using, or it can be used on its own.
Chamomile oil is gentle and safe to use on sensitive skin. Here are a few ways you can use it:
- Add a drop to your moisturizer each time you moisturize your face.
- Use it as a facial mask by keeping it on your face for 10-15 minutes.
- Put it on your lips to prevent dryness and chapped lips.
- Spot treat pimples and inflamed bumps on the skin.
- Spot treat redness and dry flakes on the skin.
- Use it on its own at the end of your skincare routine, as a second moisturizing layer.
- Put it on cuts and scrapes after cleaning them.
- Rub it into your knees, elbows, and other areas of dry skin during the cold season.
- Massage it into areas of the face that are showing signs of aging.
You can get pretty creative and think of a few other ways to use it. Chamomile oil works in any instance when you need a little bit of soothing and moisturizing.
It has a very pleasant smell and doesn’t irritate the skin, so you’ll enjoy adding it to your products and using it on your face and body.
How To Make Chamomile Oil
To make chamomile oil, you’ll need to gather a few things:
- Chamomile flowers
- Carrier oil
- Glass jar
- Double-boiler (optional)
Chamomile Flowers
The first thing you’ll need to decide is what type of chamomile you’re going to use and where you’re going to source it.
Both Roman and German chamomile varieties are good for the skin, but German chamomile might be a little bit better for inflammation. So, if you have a lot of acne, bumps, or redness on your skin that you’re hoping to improve, consider using German chamomile.
You can gather your own chamomile if you know how to recognize it and know of a clean area where it grows. If you choose to do that, be sure to check you’ve got the right plant. Then dry the herbs by placing the blossoms on a sheet of paper in a dry and sunny room for a few days.
If foraging is not your thing, you can buy chamomile at your local market or order it online. Most chamomile tea is really just dried chamomile flowers. You can even order dried chamomile on Amazon.
Carrier Oil
A carrier oil is an oil that you’re infusing with your herbs, so it needs to be something that’s good for your skin. Almost any oil can be used, but the best oils for skincare are:
These oils have a light scent, work well on sensitive skin, and won’t clog pores.
Infusion Method
There are two different infusion methods:
- Sun infusion
- Double-boiler infusion
Sun infusions are kind of magical. You pour your ingredients in a jar, seal it, and let it sit in the sun. The warmth from the sun will do all the work. Although this method is easy, it does take about a month for your chamomile oil to be fully infused.
If you’re short on time, the double-boiler method will help you get there in under 4 hours. For this method, you’ll need a double boiler, which you can buy or make yourself.
Instructions
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, make sure you have the right amount of everything:
- 20g dried chamomile flowers
- 12oz carrier oil
- 12oz glass jar
- Double boiler (if using)
If you’re using the sun infusion method, follow these steps:
- Place the chamomile flowers into the jar
- Pour your carrier oil over the flowers until the jar is full
- Seal the lid on the jar and shake it up to make sure the flowers are fully submerged in the oil
- Place the jar near a window where it will get 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day
- Allow it to sit there for 30 days. Every few days, shake up the contents of the jar.
- After 30 days, your oil should be ready. Pour it into another jar using a cheesecloth to filter the oil without the flowers. You can throw away the soaked flowers.
If you’re using the double-boiler method, follow these steps:
- Pour water into the double boiler and put it over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
- Add flowers into the inner part of the double-boiler and place it over the simmering water
- Pour oil over the flowers slowly, making sure that the flowers are fully submerged
- Allow the oil and flowers to infuse over the steam for 3-4 hours
- After the allotted time, you’ll notice your oil has become darker and has a pleasant chamomile scent
- Carefully remove the inner part of the double-boiler from heat and pour the oil into a glass jar using a cheesecloth to filter out the flowers. You can throw away the soaked flowers.
Regardless of which method you follow, you’ll end up with a 12oz jar of chamomile oil that you can start using right away!
The oil should be safe to use for 6-12 months as long as you keep the jar sealed when not in use and store it in a dark cool place.
You can add a few drops of vitamin E oil to your chamomile jar to make it last a little longer – vitamin E oil acts as a natural preservative, and it’s really great for your skin, too.
Here’s a visual tutorial from Leelee Isaac on YouTube.
Does Chamomile Oil Lighten Skin?
Chamomile oil has been used in skincare for centuries, with some people using it to lighten skin. But does it really work for that?
While chamomile oil can help fade dark spots and even out the skin tone, don’t expect it to lighten your skin beyond its natural tone.
Chamomile oil can lighten a tan, reduce age spots, and calm inflammation, which can make the skin look bright and glowy.
Final Thoughts
Chamomile oil is so easy to make and has so many good uses, there’s no reason to spend money on a product when you can make it yourself.
You can ensure that your chamomile oil is clean and safe as you pamper your skin with its soothing and gentle touch.
Use it as a topical on its own or mix it with your skincare products to get the most benefit out of it. We hope you give this chamomile oil recipe a try and let us know how it turned out!
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