What is bisabolol and how does it work in skincare?
Bisabolol (also known as alpha-bisabolol) is a natural active ingredient originally derived from the essential oil of true chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Today, it is also produced synthetically or from other plants such as the Brazilian candeia tree. In skincare, Bisabolol has been considered one of the most effective and well-tolerated soothing agents for decades.
Its unique feature lies in its multifaceted action: Bisabolol soothes, protects, and nourishes without burdening the skin. It penetrates the skin optimally and can enhance the effects of other skincare ingredients. Bisabolol is generally suitable even for the most sensitive skin.
What can bisabolol do for your skin?
Bisabolol is an active ingredient with an impressive range of applications and is particularly valued by people with sensitive skin for its gentleness. Here is an overview of its key properties:
- Immediate skin soothing: Bisabolol can quickly soothe irritated, sensitive, or inflamed skin and relieve the sensation of heat. The ingredient is ideal for redness, rosacea, or stress-related skin reactions.
- Anti-inflammatory: Bisabolol can alleviate inflammatory processes in the skin, thereby helping to visibly reduce redness and irritation.
- Strengthens resilience: When used regularly, bisabolol can strengthen the skin’s natural defense function and make it more resilient to external influences such as cold, heat, or stress.
- Enhances active ingredient absorption: Bisabolol acts as a so-called “penetration enhancer.” It can improve the absorption of other active ingredients into the skin, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the skincare product.
- Exceptionally well-tolerated: Bisabolol is considered one of the most well-tolerated active ingredients in cosmetics. It is also suitable for highly sensitive, oil-prone, or couperose-prone skin.
Who are Bisabolol products suitable for?
Bisabolol is particularly beneficial for skin that is sensitive, reactive, or chronically irritated. This includes:
- Sensitive and reactive skin that reacts quickly to external influences
- Skin prone to redness with rosacea or telangiectasia
- Oily-prone skin that requires light, non-greasy care
- Irritated or inflamed skin seeking immediate soothing
- Skin prone to inflammation and breakouts
- Stressed skin that is burdened by external factors such as cold, heat, or UV radiation
Not sure which bisabolol product is right for you? Our skin analysis provides you with a personalized recommendation.
An overview of our bisabolol products
Chris Farrell offers two specialized products containing bisabolol. Both were specifically developed for sensitive, irritated, or redness-prone skin.
- Santel Cream – The lightweight, non-greasy soft emulsion for day and night with bisabolol and avocado oil. It immediately soothes stressed, irritated skin, strengthens the resilience of weakened skin, and is ideal for couperose, oily-sensitive skin, and blotchy, often reddened skin.
- Santel Cream absorbs completely and leaves no greasy residue—ideal as a base under makeup.
- Phytamille – The richer water-in-oil emulsion with bisabolol, avocado oil, and a comprehensive blend of eleven plant extracts, including horse chestnut, ivy, calendula, and buckwheat. It provides intense soothing, reduces redness, and pleasantly replenishes moisture—ideal for oily-dry, dry-sensitive skin prone to rosacea and inflammation.
Santel Cream or Phytamille—which one is right for you?
Both products contain bisabolol and are suitable for sensitive, irritated skin. The difference lies in the texture and oil content:
Santel Cream is the lighter choice. It is a non-greasy soft emulsion suitable for oily-sensitive skin, combination skin, or as a makeup base. Phytamille is richer and more moisturizing and is the better choice for oily-dry, flaky, or severely irritated skin that needs additional lipids.
If in doubt, we recommend our skin analysis for a personalized recommendation.
Bisabolol Products in a Set
If you’d like to start with a complete routine for redness and rosacea right away, you’ll find both Bisabolol products in a set in our shop:
- Rosacea Set – This perfectly coordinated skincare set contains the Soft Skin Cleanser for gentle cleansing, Santel Cream for general soothing, and Phytamille as a specialized treatment for redness and rosacea. Both bisabolol products in a coordinated routine and at a discounted price as a set.
Our skincare tips for using bisabolol
Tip 1 – Use morning and evening
Bisabolol works best when used regularly every day. Apply Santel Cream or Phytamille to cleansed skin in the morning and/or evening and massage it in with light circular motions.
Tip 2 – Proper cleansing as a foundation
Mild, soap-free cleansing is essential before applying Bisabolol skincare. The Soft Skin Cleanser or the Intens Cleanser cleanse thoroughly without further irritating sensitive skin. Our cleansers are the ideal preparation for Bisabolol skincare.
Tip 3 – Target acute redness
For acute redness or flare-ups of rosacea, the Concentrate RT can be applied under the Bisabolol cream. The concentrate, containing horse chestnut extract and troxerutin, strengthens capillary walls and specifically complements the soothing effect of Bisabolol.
Tip 4 – Avoid changing products too frequently
Sensitive skin often reacts to frequent product changes. Stick with your bisabolol routine for at least four to six weeks to allow your skin to calm down and stabilize.
