INGREDIENT · CHAMOMILE COMPOUND
Bisabolol in skincare: the chamomile calming claim, tested
Bisabolol is the compound from chamomile that gets credit for calming creams. The lab results are promising, and nearly all of them are in cells and mice.
You may see it written as
- Bisabolol
What bisabolol is
Bisabolol is a natural monocyclic sesquiterpene found in the essential oils of many plants. It was first obtained from Matricaria chamomilla, commonly known as German chamomile, which is popular in traditional medicine.1
A study of its effect on skin inflammation describes it as natural, in use in cosmetics, and of considerable interest to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.2
What the evidence is, and what kind
In a 2014 study, alpha-bisabolol inhibited the production of the inflammatory signals TNF-alpha and IL-6 in macrophage cells. When applied to mouse ears inflamed with a chemical irritant, it reduced the swelling, the ear weight and the tissue damage, in a dose-dependent way. The authors' toxicity tests in vitro and in vivo suggested it is safe for topical use, and they concluded it may be a useful candidate for treating skin inflammation.2
A 2022 review gathers the wider evidence, and is blunt about where it comes from. It says the studies were mostly performed on cell lines or animal models, and that bisabolol may be a promising candidate.1
In people, the calming claim has been tested and has not held up. In two 2006 trials, the skin of healthy volunteers was deliberately irritated with a detergent and an acid and then treated twice a day. Bisabolol showed no significant effect, and glycerol was the only treatment that showed a benefit.3,4 If a product leans on bisabolol to promise calming, the human evidence does not back it.
Using bisabolol with other products
We did not find a source saying bisabolol should be kept apart from any other ingredient. Studies that pair it with something else test one finished product: in an open study of 20 people with inflamed lips, a lip balm with panthenol and bisabolol improved all scores over 8 weeks.5 With no comparison group, the effect cannot be credited to either ingredient.
Bisabolol in pregnancy and breastfeeding
We found no pregnancy- or lactation-specific evidence for this ingredient.
Evidence on cosmetic products in pregnancy is limited overall, so ask your doctor or midwife about the specific product you use.6
What you will see on the label
On a label, look for Bisabolol. Snifff shows it as Risk-free. For the rest of the formula, see what the score means and how to read the list.
As Snifff shows itBisabolol
Pregnancy and nursing
We found no pregnancy- or lactation-specific evidence for this ingredient.
Wording as it appears in the extension, which can change between releases.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Common questions about bisabolol
Is bisabolol good for sensitive skin?
In cells and mice, alpha-bisabolol reduced inflammatory signals and skin swelling.2 In two trials on deliberately irritated skin in healthy volunteers, it did no better than no treatment.3,4
Where does bisabolol come from?
It was first obtained from German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, and is found in the essential oils of many plants.1
Is bisabolol safe on skin?
The toxicity tests in one 2014 study, in vitro and in vivo, suggested it is safe for topical application,2 but those were lab and animal tests.
Is bisabolol safe in pregnancy?
Snifff found no pregnancy-specific evidence for Bisabolol. Ask your doctor or midwife about the product you use.
WHERE THIS COMES FROM
Sources
- Health benefits, pharmacological effects, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of alpha-bisabololEddin LB, et al. · Nutrients · 2022
- alpha-(-)-bisabolol reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production and ameliorates skin inflammationMaurya AK, et al. · Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology · 2014
- Anti-irritants I: dose-response in acute irritationAndersen F, et al. · Contact Dermatitis · 2006
- Anti-irritants II: efficacy against cumulative irritationAndersen F, et al. · Contact Dermatitis · 2006
- Efficacy of panthenol- and bisabolol-containing lip care as monotherapy for mild-to-moderate cheilitisVarothai S, et al. · International Journal of Dental Hygiene · 2024
- Cosmetic dermatology in pregnancy and lactation: a risk-benefit framework for clinical practiceKovacs T, et al. · International Journal of Dermatology · 2026
This page explains an ingredient. It is not medical advice, and it is not an assessment of any product. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a skin condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist.