What Some Benefits of Blue Chamomile
Blue chamomile, also known as German chamomile since it’s from, you guessed it, Germany, is a popular herb that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its numerous health benefits. In recent years, this beautiful flower has gained popularity specifically for the benefits it has when applied consistently to the skin. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of blue chamomile for the skin and how you can incorporate it into your skincare routine.
What is blue chamomile?
Blue chamomile, also referred to by its scientific name of Matricaria recutita, less obvious than German chamomile, I know, is a flowering plant that grows wild in the fields of Europe and Western Asia. This plant is quite pretty, with small, daisy-like flowers and a strong, sweet aroma. Objectively pleasant smelling. Wandering through a flowering field of this flower would be delightful. The plant is most commonly known to people as a bedtime tea or in aromatherapy. But that’s not all that can be done with this sweet-smelling flower, it’s also used in cosmetic products like soaps, lotions, and shampoos, and yes, of course, skincare.
Blue chamomile’s appearance in skincare is a result of its potency of antioxidants, flavonoids, and terpenoids. These compounds work in tandem to provide a range of skin benefits, including soothing and calming the skin, reducing inflammation, and helping to repair damaged skin.
Here is what the use of blue chamomile can do for the skin:
Not quite ready to hop on the blue chamomile bandwagon? Read on, I think you may be easily convinced.
Soothing and calming. Blue chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties which allow it to soothe and calm irritated skin when it’s applied. This pretty flower can be especially helpful for those with sensitive skin, eczema, or other skin conditions that cause frequent irritation and inflammation of the skin.
Reducing redness and inflammation: If you’re struggling with skin conditions that cause redness and irritation blue chamomile has been shown to reduce those pesky irritations and this sweet-smelling ingredient might just become your new best friend.
Hydrating and moisturizing: Blue chamomile is a natural moisturizer, hydrating and nourishing the skin with its deeply penetrating compounds. Properly hydrated skin will just look smoother and more radiant than dried-out skin does.
Promoting healthy skin: Blue chamomile also has antioxidant properties which are like its secret ingredient. These antioxidants protect the skin from environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation while also preventing the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which are important for maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin.
Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Blue chamomile has even been shown to have a firming effect on the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and any sagging you may be experiencing.
Helping to repair damaged skin: Blue chamomile, truly is the gift that keeps on giving, in addition to everything above, it also has been shown to have a regenerative effect on the skin, helping to repair damaged skin cells and promoting healthy skin growth. This can be especially helpful for those with acne scars or other types of skin damage.
How to use blue chamomile in your skincare routine
Incorporating blue chamomile into your skincare routine is quite simple. Here are a few tips if you’ve been convinced (yay).
Look for skincare products that contain blue chamomile as an ingredient: Blue chamomile is a more or less common ingredient used to formulate skincare products, including cleansers, toners, serums, masks, and moisturizers. So, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find products where blue chamomile has been incorporated.
Use a blue chamomile-based product as a spot treatment: If you have a specific area of skin that is irritated or inflamed, you can use a blue chamomile-based product as a spot treatment to soothe and calm the skin. Just apply the product on and around the area that is giving you trouble.
Add a blue chamomile-based product to your nighttime skincare routine: Blue chamomile can be particularly effective when used in your nighttime skincare routine, as it can help to calm and soothe the skin while you sleep since sleeping is when the skin does the bulk of its restorative work.
Combine blue chamomile with other soothing ingredients: Blue chamomile can be used in combination with other soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, calendula, or lavender, to create the ultimate gentle and calming skincare routine.
Not interested in putting blue chamomile on your skin just yet?
There are a plethra of other ways to still get all the benefits.
Make a tea: The leaves of the blue chamomile plant can be used to make a soothing tea that relaxes both the mind and the body. To make a cup of blue chamomile tea, it’s the exact same as any other tea. If you’ve never made tea before or it’s been a while, here’s a refresher. Add a few teaspoons of dried blue chamomile flowers (or any tea leaf) to a cup of hot water and allow the tea to steep for 5-10 minutes before drinking.
Use it as a natural air freshener: Blue chamomile has a pleasant, calming aroma that can help to freshen the air in your home, aromatic therapeutic if you will. You can use blue chamomile essential oils in a diffuser, or you can add a few drops of the oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray it into the air like an air freshener.
Add it to a bath: Blue chamomile can be added to a bath to elevate your bathing experience to the next level of mind-body relaxation. To use blue chamomile in a bath, add a few drops of blue chamomile essential oil to a tub of warm water and soak for 20-30 minutes.
Use it as a natural stress relief: Blue chamomile, as I’m sure you’ve deduced, has a calming effect that can help to reduce stress and promote overall relaxation. You can use blue chamomile essential oil in a diffuser, or you can apply a few drops of the oil to your wrists or temples and inhale the aroma to help relax your mind and body.
