For the longest time, the chamomile flower has been known to bring peace to the mind and body. Little did we know, you can extract a vibrant blue-tinged essential oil from Moroccan blue chamomile through a steam distillation and use that topically as a treatment. Blue tansy bears a sweet, herbaceous aroma, and is said to impart a similar calming effect on the skin, which is great news for innovators in the beauty industry looking to crown the next It-ingredient.
What’s all the fuss about?
Blue tansy is packed with medicinal properties – antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties all rolled into one. What makes this oil special is that it contains azulene, a naturally-occurring plant pigment that not only gives the oil a bright blue hue, it calms inflamed, irritated skin right down, too. If azulene sounds somewhat familiar to you at this point, it’s probably because you’ve seen or tried an at-home wax kit. It always comes with a little bottle filled with azulene oil – you know, the magical blue stuff that makes every stinging rip disappear. Bless.
How does it work?
Okay, we’re about to delve into a bit of science right now, so bear with us. A transcription factor, known as NF-kappa beta, plays a huge role in the occurrence of an inflammation. According to a study, azulene is able to work at the early stages of that occurrence in order to prevent proteins from synthesising, ultimately stopping an impending inflammation in its tracks. It doesn’t just work brilliantly on visible redness and rashes, it’ll do wonders on acne-prone skin too, which is why more brands have started to incorporate this baby blue into their skincare formulas. They may not come cheap, but they’re known saviours for those who’ve struggled with their skin, so it might just be worth the investment.
Here, we’ve culled a few blue gems to put that angry complexion to sleep. Just try not to go overboard with the ingredient… You won’t want to end up like Tobias.
Kahina Facial Cleanser
Kahina is a natural brand that’s known for its argan oil, and this facial cleanser has high concentrations of that to hydrate and brighten. Naturally scented with neroli essential oil, the aromatic cleanser also features our star ingredient Moroccan blue tansy to gently wash away impurities and restore balance to the skin.
$72, available at charisnaturals.com
Sunday Riley Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm
This blue balm is loaded with replenishing ingredients to nourish your skin as it melts off makeup and daily grime. Unlike the rest, this formula contains a blend of azulene-rich oils derived from blue tansy as well as German chamomile to calm irritated complexions. And with the added vanilla and sweet orange oils, you’ll probably feel calmer too – perfect for unwinding at the end of a long day.
£46.00, available at cultbeauty.co.uk
May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon Beauty Balm Concentrate
The founder of the namesake LA-based line, May Lindstrom, said she came across blue tansy oil in a botanical book about a decade ago and it instantly piqued her interest. As someone who’s struggled with eczema and dermatitis, she decided to incorporate the ingredient into this healing face balm for its anti-inflammatory properties, calling it “anti-anxiety for your skin.”
$254, available at naturallybetterco.com.sg
Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Oil-Balancing Azulene-Infused Facial Oil
The couple behind Herbivore Botanicals, Julia Wills and Alex Kummerow, searched for ingredients that could moisturise, balance out, and calm down troublesome complexions. Having tried and tested blue tansy, they decided to feature it in this facial oil, and it turned out to be a hit in the beauty industry. It repairs the skin and regulates oil production with additional jojoba and kukui nut oils, while it soothes your senses with jasmine and rose essential oils.
$112, available at sephora.sg
Main image: @maylindstromskin
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