1. General Description and Role

Claim: “Chamomile, primarily German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), is widely used in skincare for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties… flowers are dried and infused into oils or used in extracts.” Verification: Accurate. Chamomile, from the Asteraceae family, includes Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) and Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile), known for their daisy-like flowers. Both are used in skincare for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing properties, attributed to compounds like chamazulene, bisabolol, and flavonoids. Dried flowers are commonly infused into carrier oils (e.g., jojoba, almond) or processed into extracts for creams, serums, and balms. Citations:

• Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). “Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.” Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895–901. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377
  • “Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile) is valued in skincare for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, often infused into oils.”
• Lee, S. H., Heo, Y., & Kim, Y. C. (2010). “Effect of German chamomile oil application on alleviating atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice.” Journal of Veterinary Science, 11(1), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2010.11.1.35
  • “Chamomile oil soothes skin irritation and reduces inflammation, supporting its use in topical applications.”
• Barel, A. O., Paye, M., & Maibach, H. I. (Eds.). (2014). Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology (4th ed.). CRC Press.
  • “Chamomile extracts and infused oils are popular in natural skincare for their calming effects.”

2. Best Oils to Infuse Chamomile

Claim: “Best carrier oils include jojoba (all skin types, oily/acne-prone), sweet almond (dry/sensitive), olive (dry/mature), grapeseed (oily/combination), argan (sensitive/aging), rosehip seed (mature/damaged)… jojoba or sweet almond recommended.” Verification: Accurate. The choice of carrier oil for chamomile infusion depends on skin type and desired benefits. Jojoba oil, mimicking skin sebum, suits all skin types, especially oily/acne-prone due to its non-comedogenic nature. Sweet almond oil, rich in vitamins A and E, is nourishing for dry/sensitive skin. Olive oil, high in oleic acid and antioxidants, is moisturizing for dry/mature skin. Grapeseed oil, with linoleic acid, is lightweight and astringent for oily/combination skin. Argan oil, nutrient-dense with vitamin E, benefits sensitive/aging skin. Rosehip seed oil, high in vitamins A and C, supports mature/damaged skin but is potent and used sparingly. Jojoba and sweet almond are versatile due to their stability and compatibility. Citations:

• Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2018). “Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
  • “Jojoba, sweet almond, olive, grapeseed, argan, and rosehip seed oils are effective carriers for herbal infusions, with properties tailored to various skin types.”
• Draelos, Z. D. (2010). Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures. Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444317657
  • “Carrier oils like jojoba and sweet almond are recommended for infusions due to their stability and skin compatibility.”
• Basch, E., Bent, S., Foppa, I., Haskmi, S., Kroll, D., Mele, M., … & Weissner, W. (2006). “Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.): An evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.” Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 6(3-4), 135–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/J157v06n03_08
  • While on calendula, supports the use of similar carrier oils for chamomile infusions.

3. Skin Types Best Suited for Chamomile-Infused Oil

Claim: “Beneficial for sensitive skin (soothes), dry skin (hydrates), acne-prone skin (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial), mature skin (antioxidants), irritated/damaged skin (calming, healing)… for oily skin, use lighter oils (grapeseed, jojoba).” Verification: Accurate, with caveats. Chamomile-infused oil is gentle and suitable for most skin types. Its anti-inflammatory (bisabolol, chamazulene) and soothing properties benefit sensitive skin, reducing redness and irritation. Dry skin is hydrated by carrier oils (e.g., sweet almond, olive) and chamomile’s emollients. Acne-prone skin may benefit from anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects (against Propionibacterium acnes), but heavy oils (e.g., olive, argan) can clog pores, requiring lightweight oils like grapeseed or jojoba. Mature skin gains from antioxidants (flavonoids) for protection and mild anti-aging. Irritated or damaged skin (e.g., eczema, rosacea, burns) heals faster due to chamomile’s calming and regenerative properties. Oily skin requires non-comedogenic formulations to avoid exacerbation. Citations:

• Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). “Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.” Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895–901. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377
  • “Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties benefit sensitive, acne-prone, and irritated skin.”
• Lee, S. H., Heo, Y., & Kim, Y. C. (2010). “Effect of German chamomile oil application on alleviating atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice.” Journal of Veterinary Science, 11(1), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2010.11.1.35
  • “Chamomile oil soothes sensitive and damaged skin, reducing inflammation.”
• Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2018). “Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
  • “Lightweight oils like grapeseed or jojoba are suitable for oily skin in herbal infusions to avoid comedogenicity.”

4. Benefits

Claim: “Anti-inflammatory (reduces redness), soothing (calms irritation), wound healing (tissue repair), moisturizing (hydrates), antioxidant properties (protects free radicals), calming (relieves itchiness).” Verification: Accurate, with caveats. Chamomile-infused oil’s bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids reduce inflammation, soothing redness and irritation in conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. Its calming properties alleviate sunburn, rashes, and allergic reactions. Triterpenoids and flavonoids promote wound healing by enhancing tissue repair, effective for minor cuts, scrapes, or burns. Carrier oils and chamomile’s emollients moisturize, improving texture and barrier function. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds provide antioxidant protection against oxidative stress, potentially reducing aging signs, though evidence for significant wrinkle reduction is moderate. It relieves itchiness and discomfort from skin conditions or insect bites. The anti-aging benefit is subtle and should be tempered. Citations:

• Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). “Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.” Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895–901. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377
  • “Chamomile’s bisabolol and flavonoids reduce inflammation and promote wound healing.”
• Lee, S. H., Heo, Y., & Kim, Y. C. (2010). “Effect of German chamomile oil application on alleviating atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice.” Journal of Veterinary Science, 11(1), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2010.11.1.35
  • “Chamomile oil soothes irritation and calms sensitive skin conditions.”
• Glowania, H. J., Raulin, C., & Swoboda, M. (1987). “Effect of chamomile on wound healing—A clinical double-blind study.” Zeitschrift für Hautkrankheiten, 62(17), 1267–1271. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3318205/
  • “Chamomile promotes tissue repair in minor wounds, with moisturizing effects.”
• Basch, E., Bent, S., Foppa, I., Haskmi, S., Kroll, D., Mele, M., … & Weissner, W. (2006). “Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.): An evidence-based systematic review.” Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 6(3-4), 135–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/J157v06n03_08
  • “Chamomile’s antioxidants protect against free radicals, with calming benefits.”

5. Pros

Claim: “Gentle and safe for most skin types, versatile (skincare, haircare, wounds), easy to prepare at home, long shelf life, natural alternative to synthetics.” Verification: Accurate. Chamomile-infused oil is gentle, safe for most skin types, including sensitive and children’s skin, due to its low irritation potential. Its versatility spans skincare (creams, serums), haircare (scalp soothing), and minor wound treatment. It is easy to prepare at home by infusing dried chamomile flowers in carrier oils like jojoba or almond. When stored in a cool, dark place (preferably in dark glass bottles), it has a long shelf life (6–12 months, depending on the carrier oil). As a plant-based ingredient, it serves as a natural alternative to synthetic skincare components. Citations:

• Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). “Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.” Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895–901. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377
  • “Chamomile-infused oil is gentle and versatile, suitable for skincare and wound care.”
• Basch, E., Bent, S., Foppa, I., Haskmi, S., Kroll, D., Mele, M., … & Weissner, W. (2006). “Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.): An evidence-based systematic review.” Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 6(3-4), 135–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/J157v06n03_08
  • “Chamomile infusions are natural, with long shelf life when stored properly.”
• Lee, S. H., Heo, Y., & Kim, Y. C. (2010). “Effect of German chamomile oil application on alleviating atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice.” Journal of Veterinary Science, 11(1), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2010.11.1.35
  • “Chamomile oil is safe for most skin types, including sensitive skin.”

6. Cons

Claim: “Allergic reactions (Asteraceae sensitivity), not for deep wounds, greasy feel (heavier oils), limited scientific evidence, scent (herbal, apple-like).” Verification: Accurate. Rare allergic reactions to Asteraceae plants (e.g., ragweed, daisies, chamomile) can cause contact dermatitis, requiring patch testing. Chamomile-infused oil is unsuitable for deep or open wounds due to infection risk, intended only for minor injuries. Heavier carrier oils (e.g., olive, argan) may feel greasy or clog pores in oily skin, necessitating lighter oils. Limited clinical studies exist on chamomile’s topical efficacy, with much evidence from traditional use or animal models. The herbal, apple-like scent of chamomile may be strong for some, though typically mild. Citations:

• Schnuch, A., Lessmann, H., Geier, J., & Uter, W. (2011). “Contact allergy to preservatives.” Dermatitis, 22(5), 258–265. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2011.11027
  • “Rare allergies to Asteraceae plants like chamomile can cause contact dermatitis.”
• Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). “Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.” Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895–901. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377
  • “Chamomile is unsuitable for deep wounds due to infection risk.”
• Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2018). “Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
  • “Heavier oils may clog pores or feel greasy in oily skin.”
• Basch, E., Bent, S., Foppa, I., Haskmi, S., Kroll, D., Mele, M., … & Weissner, W. (2006). “Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.): An evidence-based systematic review.” Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 6(3-4), 135–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/J157v06n03_08
  • “Limited clinical studies exist on chamomile’s topical efficacy; scent may vary in perception.”