Shampoo, shower gel, moisturiser and conditioner fill our bathroom shelves. For those who enjoy making simple cosmetics at home, German chamomile can be used in fragrant infusions, rinses and traditional preparations. Homemade products are not the same as tested commercial cosmetics, so hygiene and skin tolerance matter.
German chamomile: a sweet-scented flower
The flowers of Matricaria chamomilla have a softly floral, almost honey-like scent. This article collects traditional household recipes rather than promising medical or cosmetic results.
Chamomile skincare
Herbal facial steam
The original recipe uses a handful of chamomile in 500 ml water, gently heated and allowed to infuse for about 15 minutes. If you enjoy the aroma, let it cool substantially before approaching the steam: hot steam and hot water can cause burns. Avoid adding essential oils to facial steam, especially around the eyes.
Traditional overnight face cream
Ingredients: 1 tsp chamomile flowers, 1 tsp burdock root, 100 ml mineral water, 30 g beeswax and 200 ml sweet almond oil.
Prepare a herbal infusion, simmering the plants for about 5 minutes and then leaving them for 15 minutes before straining. Melt the beeswax gently with the almond oil in a bain-marie. The source recipe mixes in the infusion, but oil-and-water mixtures can separate and spoil quickly without a suitable emulsifier and preservative. For that reason, this historical formula is best treated as inspiration rather than a reliably shelf-stable face cream.
Chamomile and clay facial mask
Mix green clay with enough cooled chamomile infusion to form a soft paste. Apply to intact skin, avoiding the eyes, and rinse after roughly 10–15 minutes without allowing the mask to become uncomfortably dry.
Chamomile cleansing milk
The traditional recipe combines cooled chamomile infusion with 50 g fromage blanc and 1 tbsp olive oil. Mix well and use only freshly prepared; because this contains dairy and water, do not store it as a long-life cosmetic.
Cool compress for the eye area
Infuse 4 pinches of chamomile in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely, strain very carefully and apply a clean cloth to the closed eye area without letting liquid enter the eyes. Discontinue immediately if irritation occurs; never use a homemade infusion to treat an eye condition.
Chamomile hair care
Herbal-infused hair oil
Ingredients: 4 tbsp dried chamomile, 2 tbsp dried lavender flowers and 250 ml olive oil. The source suggests leaving the plants in the oil for ten days, then using the strained oil on hair before washing. Keep all utensils and plant material dry to reduce contamination risks; patch-test before use.
Rinse for fair hair
Steep a handful of chamomile flowers in 1 litre hot water for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Use as a final rinse. Results on the appearance of blonde hair vary, and this is not a bleaching treatment.
Practical precautions
Do not apply homemade preparations to broken or infected skin. Be particularly careful if you have an allergy to daisies or related plants. Water-based mixtures spoil rapidly without preservation, and essential oils are not automatically safe for sensitive skin.
Further reading
See our Chabiothé articles on chamomile tea and cooking with chamomile for other traditional uses.