Let’s spill the tea (pun intended) on one of nature’s star ingredients for hundreds of years - chamomile. This tiny flower packs a strong punch when it comes to your skincare routine and wellness habits. If you have acne prone sensitive skin, you are going to want to read all about chamomile extract, it's history, its usage and why it's one of Bedaskin's top ingredient in our signature Multi-Active Treatment Essence.
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You wouldn’t believe who used chamomile in their beauty routines
Chamomile has been a star ingredient used to treat skin irritation and other skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation and inflammation for at least 5000 years. A true testament to its efficacy. Ancient civilisations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Roman loved using chamomile extract in their skincare and wellness routines.
The Egyptians were the OG chamomile enthusiasts. They believed in its magical powers to keep their skin youthful and radiant. Cleopatra herself was rumoured to bathe in chamomile-infused water to maintain her legendary beauty. Talk about royal skincare.
Fast forward to ancient Greece, where chamomile was hailed as the "herb of the sun" by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. He swore by chamomile's healing properties for everything from soothing skin irritations to calming upset stomachs.
And let's not forget about the Romans, who took their love for chamomile to the next level. They used it in all sorts of potions and ointments to keep their skin glowing and their spirits lifted.
Today, chamomile extract continues to be a star ingredient in the world of beauty and skincare. Whether it's in soothing cleansers, calming face masks, or hydrating creams, chamomile's legacy lives on as a beloved ingredient that's stood the test of time.
So, the next time you reach for a chamomile infused product, remember that you're tapping into centuries of beauty wisdom - because when it comes to skincare, chamomile is a true timeless classic.
Chamomile for Health
Picture this: you’ve had a crazy day and all you want to do is unwind. Enter chamomile tea, your new best friend. Sipping a warm cup of chamomile tea can help melt away stress and anxiety, plus it's a lifesaver for your tummy, soothing digestion and saying goodbye to bloating.
Chamomile is a powerhouse ingredient that is packed with 'anti's'. It is full of anti-oxidants, giving your body the boost it needs to fight off those pesky colds and infections. Chamomile is also an anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic!
As chamomile is rich in compounds called flavanoids, research has shown that drinking chamomile can help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
And let's not forget about sleep – chamomile tea is a great natural sleep inducer. Due to its calming effects, chamomile is great to soothe anxiety levels and improve sleep quality. Quality sleep is a non-negotiable for glowy skin, it is needed for total skin rejuvenation and repair. Without quality sleep, no amount of skincare will fix your skin issues.
But let's dive deeper into how great chamomile is through a TCM perspective
Soothing Qi and Calming Shen:
In TCM, chamomile is considered to have a gentle and calming nature, making it an excellent friend for promoting tranquillity and soothing the spirit. It's believed to harmonise the flow of Qi (vital energy) throughout the body, helping to ease tension and promote relaxation. By calming the Shen (spirit), chamomile can aid in reducing stress and anxiety, allowing the body to enter a state of balance conducive to overall health and beauty.
Harmonising Digestion:
Chamomile is also cherished in TCM for its ability to support digestive health. It's believed to have a mild warming nature that helps to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach meridians, which are central to digestion in TCM. By harmonising these organs, chamomile can aid in alleviating symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and discomfort, promoting a smoother flow of Qi and nourishing the body from within.
Clearing Heat and Resolving Dampness:
According to TCM principles, chamomile possesses properties that can help clear internal heat and resolve dampness within the body. This makes it particularly beneficial for addressing inflammatory conditions such as acne, eczema, and skin irritations. By clearing heat and dampness, chamomile supports the body's natural detoxification processes, promoting clearer, healthier skin from the inside out.
Nourishing Yin and Moistening Dryness:
In TCM, chamomile is also valued for its ability to nourish Yin and moisten dryness, especially in cases where the skin or body may be lacking in moisture and vitality. This makes chamomile an excellent choice for promoting hydration and nourishment, both internally and externally. Whether enjoyed as a soothing tea or applied topically in skincare products, chamomile helps to replenish moisture, leaving the skin soft, supple, and radiant.
Balancing the Five Elements:
TCM often views health and beauty through the lens of the Five Elements theory, which includes Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Chamomile's gentle and harmonising nature aligns with the Earth element, which is associated with nurturing, stability, and balance. By supporting the Earth element, chamomile helps to maintain harmony within the body, promoting overall well-being and a radiant complexion.
Chamomile Extract in Modern Skincare
As if there wasn't already enough benefits from Chamomile, here's the best part for my fellow PSC’s: chamomile is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Chamomile’s ability to be super effective yet gentle is exactly why it's one of the oldest and most well-documented medicinal plant in the world to treat skin sensitivity.
Fun fact, chamomile extract is our top ingredient in our signature MATE. Our community-built formula uses the gentleness of chamomile extract to cushion the exfoliating effects of Salicylic Acid and L-Lactic Acid. Its soothing properties comes from powerhouses like alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene, which work wonders in calming down redness and irritation that often tag along with acne breakouts.
Just the other day, I woke up to a massive and deep acne spot on my nose (my own fault, I forgot to wash my face. Don’t do that guys, but it was an emergency), and I used the BEDA Multi-Active Treatment Essence to help soothe it. The next morning, I noticed a significant decrease in the overall redness, size and irritation of my acne spot.
Major thanks to chamomile extract for helping me out.
Best Skincare Products with Chamomile:
From cleansers, serums, masks or toners, you can find chamomile extract in a variety of skincare products to easily add into your skincare routine. If you're dealing with sensitive acne-prone skin, here are some skincare products we recommend that include chamomile extract:
With 7 skin-correcting benefits in 1 gentle formula, this lightweight milky essence targets acne and scarring for highly sensitive skin, with chamomile extract being the top ingredient. Formulated without any added fragrance, artificial colouring, parabens, and mineral oil.
This essence contains 93% organic chamomile tincture extract. The chamomile extract supports the blood flow and circulation, revitalising dull skin for aa better complexion and texture.
Beplain's formula contains 71% Chamomile flower extract that moisturises and soothes the skin helping it look supple and vibrant. This moisturiser is fragrance free and non-sticky.
This refreshing mist uses chamomile and lavender along with vitamin C and aloe vera to brighten, hydrate and balance the skin. It can be sprayed on the face, neck and hair + the soothing fragrance of the essential oils are aromatherapeutic.
Chamomile? It's my new personality
Incorporating chamomile into your daily rituals is as easy as having a cup of tea or applying Bedaskin.
Start your day with a steaming cup of chamomile tea, and let its calming vibes set the tone for a stress-free day. Pamper your skin with chamomile-infused cleansers, moisturisers, serumsn or face masks for that lit-from-within glow. And when bedtime rolls around, brew yourself a cup of chamomile tea, kick back, and let the sweet dreams begin.
With love,
Alia