How to make chamomile oil for skin

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Chamomile is often praised for its health benefits, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile oil can safely be used on skin for treating eczema, bruises, and even rheumatic pain. Before you run to the shop, have a look at this DIY to make your own chamomile oil.

Chamomile has a high percentage of blue azulene and bisabolol, so the oil that can be extracted from this plant has anti-inflammatory properties.

For this chamomile oil, I used sweet almond oil as a carrier oil, because its scent is very neutral and it is kind to all skin types. I use this sweet almond oil carrier from the Soapery. Other oils you can use are jojoba, olive, wheat germ and grape seed oil. Even sunflower oil can be used.

You can buy dried chamomile at health-food stores, but what I prefer is to harvest and dry it myself. Make sure the flowers are properly dried.


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Chamomile: How to Recognise it, Health Benefits and Uses


Make your own Chamomile Oil

How to make chamomile oil for skin

Ingredients

  • A small sterile jar, approx. 100 ml
  • A carrier oil of your choice (I used sweet almond oil)
  • Dried chamomile flowers, enough to fill the jar you’re using
  • A cheese cloth

Directions

  1. Fill the jar with the dried chamomile flowers and top it up with the carrier oil.
  2. Make sure the flowers are fully covered by the oil.
  3. Screw the lid on tightly.
  4. Now place the jar somewhere where it will get at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily.
  5. Every day, gently shake the bottle. In about a month, you will be able to filter the oil
  6. First I sieve the oil into another sterile jar and make sure to press all the oil out of the chamomile residue.
  7. Then I use a cheese cloth to get rid of all the smaller bits that are left after sieving.
  8. Put your own chamomile oil in a sterile jar of your choosing. You can now use it directly from the jar!

  • How to make chamomile oil for skin
  • How to make chamomile oil for skin

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This soothing chamomile oil deeply nourishes and restores the skin. Chamomile’s healing properties may help heal wounds, diaper rash, or eczema.

Chamomilla is has been known since ancient times and highly valued by the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks for its medicinal properties.  It has been primarily used for wound healing, digestive upset, or relieving skin conditions such as eczema or rashes. 

Chamomile's name is derived from two Greek words: Khamai, meaning “on the ground,” and melon, meaning “apple.” for its apple-like aroma. 

There are two types of chamomile one can come across. Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis) and German chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamomilla recutita) differ in chemical composition and appearance. However, the main active ingredient is chamazulene, which is present in both varieties but higher in German chamomile.

How to make chamomile oil for skin

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Chamomile infused oil is made by soaking dried chamomile flowers in a carrier oil for several weeks. The maceration allows the herb to relieve its chemical compounds into the oil. After straining the herbal material, you will get potent infused oil that will carry the medicinal properties of chamomile.

At this stage, I would like to clarify the difference between chamomile infused oil that you can make at home and chamomile essential oil that is done by steam distillation and involve several steps and special equipment.  First, you will need a much higher amount of herbal material to produce a few drops of oil. By simmering the herbs, you make steam that goes into a distillation tube and runs through cold water, condensing the steam into a liquid. The liquid is hydrosol and on the top of hydrosol is a thin layer of essential oil that you need to capture. The process is quite tricky and results in a tiny amount of oil.

On the other hand, infused oil is easy to make, and we will cover the step-by-step process in this tutorial. 

How to make chamomile oil for skin

Chamomile for the skin

Wound healing

When you apply a piece of cloth soaked in chamomile tea to the affected area, it will promote healing and ease the pain. On the contrary, our skin can absorb the benefits of chamomile more effectively when in the form of oil. Facial oil possesses antibacterial activity that helps to speed wound healing.

Skin irritation

Historically, chamomile has been used to ease skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis or eczema. This facial cleanser with chamomile cleanses the face and calms sensitive skin.

Chamomile has also been effective in easing pain and other skin irritations such as chicken pox or diaper rash. You can find more information in this study. 

How to make chamomile oil for skin

How to make chamomile oil

First step - collecting chamomile flowers

Foraging for chamomile. If you decide to forage wild chamomile you better be able to identify it first.

 Chamomile belongs to the daisy family and therefore has a composite flower. The yellow center is made of lots of tiny flowers forming a disc surrounded by white petals.  With feathery and light green leaves, chamomile grows anywhere from 60 centimeters to 1 meter tall. 

Depending on conditions, chamomile blooms between May and October.

Second step 

Once you are familiar with the herb, collect its flowers on sunny, dry day and let them wilted for 1-2 days. Chamomile flowers contain moisture that can spoil the oil. 

If you decide to purchase dried flowers, you can jump directly to the next step

How to make chamomile oil for skin

Second step - carrier oil selection

Depending on how you plan to use your DIY chamomile oil, you can decide which carrier oil to use. A great advantage of making your own skincare is is is is that you can select each ingredient individually based on your skin type or intention of use. If you have dry skin, I suggest, going for chamomile facial oil that is nourishing and rich in fatty acids such as macadamia or avocado oil. On the other hand, if your skin is oily you better chose chamomile facial oil with a high amount of linoleic acids such as grapeseed or sunflower oil. As for me with normal skin, I went for olive oil which is packed with antioxidants and help to prevent wrinkling. If you wish to learn more about carrier oils I found this article very useful.

Third step

Now use a sterilized jar and fill it about halfway with dried or wilted chamomile petals 

Fourth step

Pour over olive oil until it’s just about full. Make sure that chamomile flowers are covered completely with oil

How to make chamomile oil for skin

Fifth step

Close the jar with a lid and place it in a sunny spot.

Sixth step

Shake occasionally to redistribute the jar’s contents. Also, check if some oil evaporates.

Add more to cover all herbal material.

Seventh step

After 4-6 weeks, strain the herbal material through a cheesecloth or a muslin bag in a sterilized dry jar and label it. 

How to make chamomile oil for skin

How long does this chamomile oil last?

If you store it properly in a dark, cold place, it should last up to 1 year. You can extend its shelflife if you refrigerate it.

Can I make this chamomile oil recipe faster? 

You can select the double boiler method that speeds up the maceration process with heat. Place the carrier oil with chamomile flowers into a double boiler and let the mixture to a slow simmer. The best practice is to use a thermometer, as the temperature should not exceed 120 F (50 C). Keep the heat low for 5-6 hours to help release chamomile’s medicinal properties.  After that, strain the petals, and you get chamomile fragrance oil.

How to use chamomile oil

chamomile massage oil

When massaged into your skin, this oil improves your skin’s health, such as skin irritations or dry patches of skin. Moreover, chamomile massage oil can help calm anxiety and ease the pain. 

Bath Oil

Relax with a relaxing chamomile fragrance oil, Just a few splashes into your warm bath water may calm you down and make your skin smooth and moist.

in creams

Use this infused oil recipe as a base for your creams, lip balms, body butter, or salve. 

Calming oil

If you suffer from irritated skin issues, soak a cloth in this infused oil and apply directly to the achy area. Keep it for 15- 20 minutes for relief.

How to make chamomile oil for skin

Active Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 28 days

Total Time 28 days 15 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Instructions

  1. Use a sterilized jar and fill it about halfway with dried or wilted chamomile petals 
  2. Pour over olive oil until it’s just about full. Make sure that chamomile flowers are covered completely with oil
  3. Close the jar with a lid and place it on a sunny spot.
  4. Shake occasionally to redistribute the jar’s contents. Also, check if some oil evaporates. Add more to cover all herbal material.
  5. After 4-6 weeks, strain the herbal material through a cheesecloth or a muslin bag in a sterilized dry jar and label it. 

Notes

You can speed up the process of extraction with the double boiler method. Place the carrier oil with chamomile flowers into a double boiler and let the mixture to a slow simmer. The best practice is to use a thermometer as the temperature should not exceed 120 F (50 C). Keep the heat low for 5-6 hours to help release chamomile’s medicinal properties.  After that, strain the petals, and you get chamomile fragrance oil.

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Calendula (Calendula Officinalis, a.k.a. “Pot Marigold”) has its well-defined place in the herbal world. It’s not only the bright color and sweet smell that distinguish this plant from the others. But mainly it’s healing power and capability to cleanse wound made it internal as well as external number one choice of herbal healer.

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Elderflower infusion oil has a powerful soothing effect on the skin, improves skin complexion and is especially useful for older skin. However, it is also very effective in treating acne or sunburns. It's anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkle properties made the elderflower infusion oil very popular in the cosmetic industry.

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How to make chamomile oil

This soothing chamomile oil extracted from chamomile flowers deeply nourishes and restores the skin. Its healing properties can be used in wound healing, diaper rash, or eczema.

Can chamomile oil be applied directly to skin?

You can add 1 or 2 drops of chamomile oil to a body lotion or moisturizer, and apply to your skin. On a compress. Make a hot compress by soaking a towel or cloth in warm water, adding 1 to 2 of drops of diluted chamomile oil, and then applying to your achy area, like your back or stomach.

How do you make pure chamomile oil?

Fill the jar with the dried chamomile flowers and top it up with the carrier oil..
Make sure the flowers are fully covered by the oil..
Screw the lid on tightly..
Now place the jar somewhere where it will get at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily..
Every day, gently shake the bottle..

How do you make chamomile extract for skin?

Fill a pint jar with a cup of dried chamomile flowers, then fill the jar with sweet almond oil to within a quarter-inch of the top. If you'd like to use another oil with a similar texture, I can recommend apricot kernel, grapeseed, or cold-pressed sunflower. Seal the jar and give in a shake.

Can I use chamomile oil on my face?

Soothe: Comprising powerful anti-inflammatory and calming properties, Chamomile Essential Oil is a wonder ingredient to help soothe your complexion. Whether it's irritation, breakouts or any other skin concerns, Chamomile Oil is a great natural remedy to calm your skin and reignite your radiance.