Ingredients

Bisabolol

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Bisabolol — a naturally occurring compound found in chamomile and the candeia tree, used in skincare as a gentle soothing and skin-conditioning active. It is valued for helping calm the look of redness and irritation while improving the overall comfort and feel of a formula.

Key points

  • Bisabolol, specifically alpha-bisabolol, is a key soothing component of German chamomile essential oil.
  • Much of the bisabolol used in cosmetics is sourced from the Brazilian candeia tree or produced synthetically for consistency.
  • It has well-documented skin-calming properties and helps reduce the appearance of irritation and redness.
  • It may also enhance the penetration of other ingredients and is generally gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Frequently asked

What is bisabolol used for in skincare?

Bisabolol is used mainly as a soothing agent to calm the appearance of redness and irritation, making it popular in products for sensitive skin.

Is bisabolol natural or synthetic?

It can be either; natural bisabolol is derived from chamomile or the candeia tree, while a nature-identical synthetic version is also used for purity and consistency.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Chamomile: Usefulness and Safety NCCIH (NIH) Clinical guidance nccih.nih.gov
  2. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): A Review of Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Uses PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. (-)-α-Bisabolol Alleviates Atopic Dermatitis by Inhibiting ... PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Bisabolol PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.