Back in those ancient days, they did not have much information on skincare but they did know nature's answer to their inconvenience. They found answers in plants, woods, animals, etc. That is how they picked on Chamomile to treat wounds and soothe their skin after a long day. Chamomile is such a powerful flower that we still swear by it. So you might wonder why? After all, water too can soothe your skin. Well, Chamomile has way too many benefits than just soothing your skin. Let’s dig up on this flower and its impact on your skin, mind, and body.
What is Chamomile?
The name must instantly remind us of those pinterest-y flowers but there is more to it. Let’s move toward why ancient Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks picked on Chamomile to treat wounds. This flower has proven to have antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties since it is very rich in Antioxidants. Just like how a cup of Chamomile tea before going to bed can calm your nerves, it has pretty much the same effect on your skin too. Why so? It reduces the production of prostaglandin E2 and histamine which contributes to the inflammatory response. This scientific rationale helps us understand why it has such calming effects on our body, mind, and skin. But the benefits of Chamomile are not limited to just calming and soothing. Let’s understand the benefits now!
What are the benefits of Chamomile?
In ancient days, Chamomile was used to treat almost every minor injury- rashes on babies, cuts, infection, ageing, sunburn, dryness, breakouts, anxiety, insomnia and much more. Here are a few benefits which we believe are of key significance to the skin-
1. Reduces inflammation
Chamomile has a lot of flavonoids that contribute to its anti-inflammatory property. To name a few, it has alpha-bisabolol, matricin, and alpha-bisabolol oxides. These are flavonoids that prevent the chain of inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress on the body cells. It has a similar effect when applied topically as skincare.
2. Prevents early ageing
Early ageing is mainly due to oxidative stress that is caused by free radicals. This is mainly due to external stressors and diet. Spicy food, saturated fats from junk, lack of micro and macronutrients in your body can cause internal oxidative stress that shows on your skin sooner than you expect. Certain external stressors like pollution, dust, other allergic substances, and extreme weather can also lead to oxidative stress. The correct way to manage it is by including Antioxidants in your diet and skincare regime. Antioxidants can fight free radicals and that is why Chamomile is the preferred choice for all skin types to tackle ageing signs.
3. Soothes sensitive skin
To the sensitive skin tribe, we know the struggle! It is never easy to pick skincare ingredients since your skin reacts to almost everything. But here’s a fun fact, Chamomile is safe to be used on sensitive skin too. Since sensitive skin turns red easily even in case of acute inflammation, it becomes a key issue for all sensitive skin types individuals to tackle redness. As we know by now Chamomile is loaded with a good dose of Antioxidants, it can soothe sensitive skin. A particular compound that makes Chamomile so special is apigenin which can improve your skin barrier and hence, protects sensitive skin.
4. Acne
Acne could be genetic and is triggered by hormones or diet or even lifestyle. The same goes for Rosacea. To treat these skin concerns, one must first aim to soothe the body, mind, and skin. Chamomile can help you do so since it stops the release of inflammatory chemicals in our body. It also has anti-microbial actions that stop the growth of bacteria and fungi to manage all types of breakouts. Bless your Rosacea or Acne-prone skin with Chamomile!
How to include Chamomile in your routine for holistic wellness and skincare?
Chamomile, as we pointed out earlier, is great for your mind and body too. The flavonoids in it prevent inflammatory responses which help you calm your body and thoughts. Here are a few ways to include Chamomile in your routine-
For your body
1. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea can calm your nerves by decreasing the inflammatory response that your body produces due to stress or anxiety or even wounds. It’s also a good pick before a big meeting or a function to reduce the jitters. Let’s not forget that the presence of Antioxidants in it, reduces the oxidative stress that occurs to your cells due to inflammation.
2. Chamomile based lotion
Since it has apigenin that helps you improve the skin barrier, it can work great to keep your skin moisturised. This is for those who have sensitive skin that ends up burning easily when you step out. So on beach days, a moisturiser with Chamomile beneath SPF can be perfect for sensitive skin.
Sublime recommends Beplain Chamomile PH-Balanced Lotion which has 71% Chamomile flower extract to deeply moisturise skin and keep it soft and supple. It is perfect for those with dull skin to improve their glow.
For your face
1. Moisturiser
A face cream containing Chamomile is great for post-sun exposure skincare. That is because, after sun exposure, your skin needs a lot of moisture and soothing elements. Lack of moisture due to UV rays is one of the leading reasons to see fine lines and wrinkles at an early age.
Sublime recommends Lacuna Light 3D Moisture Water Sleep Mask. It not only has Chamomile as its key ingredient but also Seaweed, Hyaluronic Acid, and Spirulina to hydrate and smoothen out any fine lines. We love this as a post-sun care.
2. Eye cream
The skin around your eyes is thinner than your face skin so it needs a lot more moisture. It is also relatively easy for the skin around the eyes to lose moisture due to UV rays, heat, blue light, etc. So to keep them moisturised and to soothe them, Chamomile comes in handy.
Sublime recommends Arata Aloe Vera Under Eye Gel which has Coffee Oil, Black Tea, Aloe Vera, and Organic Chamomile Oil. It is a great pick for those who want to depuff and soothe their under eyes.
3. Toner
During summers, especially, you must focus on reducing inflammation in your skin. Inflammation leads to tanning, dark spots, etc since it sends signals to the cells to produce melanin(brown pigment) to protect your skin from harsh rays. Chamomile-based toners should always be in your bag in such cases. It not only refreshes your skin during summers but also promotes healing in case there has been any damage due to heat.
Sublime recommends Plum Chamomile & White Tea Calming Antioxidant Toner. It is an alcohol-free toner that can be used at any hour of the day by any gender to soothe your skin. It suits all skin types as well.
For your hair
1. Hair mask
Chamomile has antiseptic and soothing properties so if you’ve skipped your hair wash the day before, then you can pick a Chamomile-based mask to clean your hair follicles and protect them from damage. Since Chamomile is rich in Antioxidants, it will also nourish your scalp to strengthen your hair follicles.
Sublime recommends The Switch Fix Calming Blue-Tea-Ful Deep Conditioner. It is a Blue tea and Chamomile-infused hair conditioner that is rich in Antioxidants and hence helps to strengthen and smoothen your hair.
2. Hair cream
If you have styled your hair in the past, then a hair gel that has Chamomile in it can strengthen your scalp and also nourish your hair. A hair gel containing Chamomile can work wonders for those with dry and dull strands.
Sublime recommends Fix My Curls Leave In Cream. It has Nigella sativa oil and Jojoba oil to quench your strands. This works well for all hair types and could be like a protective layer of Antioxidants while you live your active life.
Does Chamomile have any side effects?
Nope. But for those who are allergic to pollen-producing flowers then it is best to do a patch test before using it. Chamomile is related to this particular family of plants so if you have any allergy then it is best to visit a dermatologist and know what will suit your skin best.
Who must prefer Chamomile?
More or less, all skin types can pick Chamomile. However, those with compromised skin barriers, sensitive skin, acne or rosacea-prone skin type can use Chamomile. The best thing about Chamomile is it can work with all the ingredients and rarely proves to be a hurdle when it comes to skincare layering. However, one must read about all the ingredients in both the products to layer them into a routine.
Takeaway
Chamomile is a great aid for those who are always hustling and are stressed day in, day out. Chamomile tea can calm your nerves and Chamomile-based skincare can transform your skin health by strengthening the skin barrier and decreasing inflammatory response by the body cells. The best thing about Chamomile is that it suits all skin types including acne-prone skin and Rosacea. We’d say that it is a simple ingredient with mighty power!
-Divya Salvi
