Bisabolol

Bisabolol at a Glance

• Skin-soothing ingredient
• May offer some discoloration-fading properties
• Commonly derived from chamomile

Bisabolol Description

Bisabolol is a well-known skin soothing agent. It comes in two different structural forms: alpha-bisabolol, derived from chamomile and other plants (although it can also be lab-created) vs. beta-bisabolol which is found in cotton and corn. The alpha form is the one used in skin care products.

Bisabolol is commonly found in many personal care products, including moisturizers, cleansers, and serums. It often plays a bio-active skin-calming role thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and shows up in many products designed for sensitive skin.

Beyond its soothing properties, research indicates bisabolol may offer some discoloration-fading capabilities.

The naturally sweet, slightly floral scent of bisabolol means it is sometimes used in higher amounts to impart fragrance to a formula. However, in lower amounts it doesn’t impart much, if any, scent and its soothing compounds easily outweigh any risk of irritation.

Because bisabolol is typically derived from chamomile, and chamomile is a member of the ragweed family, it may be best to avoid it if you have a confirmed allergy to ragweed.

As a raw material, bisabolol is a colorless to light yellow, oily liquid.

In 2017, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) council concluded that bisabolol is safe used up to 1% concentration in leave-on formulations. The CIR also noted that bisabolol can enhance the penetration of other ingredients in a formula.

Bisabolol References