Increase Product Potency with Bisabolol

Increase Product Potency with Bisabolol

With skinimalism now a well-established trend in the skincare industry, Bisabolol is an often-overlooked ingredient that aligns perfectly with its principles. Known for its soothing properties, its true power lies in boosting ingredient absorption, multiplying the effectiveness of formulations for brighter, younger-looking skin.

What is Bisabolol?

Bisabolol is a non-comedogenic, colourless, viscous oil sourced initially from German Chamomile Essential Oil, but now is more commonly sourced from the bark of a Candeia Tree. While Bisabolol can be synthetically sourced, synthetic Bisabolol only shows about 50% of the activity compared to the activity of naturally produced Bisabolol.

Note: Our Bisabolol is naturally produced :)

What does Bisabolol do in Skincare?

Bisabolol is best known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits, but it offers much more:

  • Skin Soothing: Bisabolol is great at reducing redness and irritation. That makes it perfect for acne, rosacea or after using active ingredients like acids or retinols that may irritate the skin. This may also be beneficial in after-shaves and creams for after waxing.
  • Enhance Absorption: Bisabolol enhances the penetration of other active ingredients in your product, making your ingredients more effective with smaller amounts.
  • Skin Brightening: Bisabolol is known for brightening complexion and countering hyperpigmentation due to it mildly preventing the pigmentation process (i.e. tyrosinase-inhibition).
  • Antioxidant: Bisabolol combats free radicals, supporting skin health and preventing premature skin ageing.
  • Antibacterial: Bisabolol shows both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it helpful with acne, blemishes and minor skin infections.

Can Bisabolol be used in Hair Care?

Definitely! Bisabolol helps support a healthy scalp environment and would be a great addition to scalp treatments, shampoos and leave-in products. The application of Bisabolol in Hair Care would have benefits, like:

  • Soothing the scalp and alleviating redness, flaking, and itchiness, particularly from harsh detergents and styling products.
  • Maintaining scalp moisture balance and supporting barrier repair, essential for addressing dryness and promoting healthy hair growth.
  • Bisabolol's penetration-enhancing abilities can help deliver active ingredients like Rosemary Essential Oil or Plant Extracts deeper into the scalp. This could make hair growth treatments or anti-dandruff products more potent.
  • Its antioxidant properties reduces damage caused by UV exposure or environmental aggressors, which can weaken hair and lead to scalp aging.
  • By soothing the scalp and softening hair strands, Bisabolol may enhance the overall feel and manageability of the hair, particularly for sensitive or dry hair types.

How does Bisabolol Enhance Penetration?

Bisabolol has a low molecular weight and lipophilic nature which allows it to penetrate the skin easily (lipophilic means that it combines really well with oil). This also increase the absorption of other lipophilic active ingredients like:

If you would like to maximize absorption, consider using an occlusive layer (like slugging) as the last step in your routine, preferably at night, perhaps adding occlusive ingredients to your moisturiser. This helps to lock all the products applied in place.

This also means that Bisabolol may not significantly improve the penetration of water-based ingredients like Niacinamide or Glycolic Acid, since Bisabolol is not water-soluble. This does not mean that it inhibits the absorption of water-based ingredients, just that the water-based ingredients would be absorbed at their normal rate.

A Quick Guide to formulating with Bisabolol:

What is the Solubility of Bisabolol?

Bisabolol is oil soluble. This makes it perfect for oil-based serums or balms.

If you would like to combine it with a water-based product, you would need to use an emulsifier or a solubiliser.

What is the recommended usage or concentration for Bisabolol?

Using a higher percentage would not necessarily cause toxicity in your product, it's just that a higher concentration would not lead to a greater benefit:

  • Use at 0.5-1% for Soothing Benefits
  • Use up to 1.5% for Penetration Enhancement.

Rejuvenating Oil Serum

This carefully selected blend of oils and actives provide a nourishing, soothing and rejuvenating boost to your skin - making it ideal for dry, sensitive, or aging skin, promoting a youthful glow, improved skin texture, and enhanced hydration.

Ingredients:

Storage:

Method:

  1. Combine all oils
  2. Add bisabolol and vitamin E
  3. Gently shake to mix

Store in a cool, dark place

The final product will be stable for 12-18 months.

For a highly occlusive slugging balm:

To adapt this formulation for slugging, replace half of the original formula with 50% lanolin and store it in a jar or container.

Method:

  1. Gently warm the lanolin in a double boiler until it liquefies.
  2. Add the carrier oils (moringa, rosehip, jojoba) and stir until fully combined.
  3. Let the mixture cool slightly, while ensuring it doesn't solidify.
  4. Add bisabolol, vitamin E, and frankincense, stirring to combine.
  5. Pour into a container and allow it to cool completely.

The final product will be stable for 12-18 months.

Note: You can reduce the amount of lanolin to make the balm less occlusive (as 50% is alot) or substitute it with shea butter for a vegan alternative.

Scalp Oil for Dryness and Growth

This scalp oil nourishes, balances and soothes the scalp, while the bisabolol calms irritation and enhances absorption. It also includes Rosemary and Peppermint Essential Oils to boost circulation, promote growth, and provide a cooling sensation.

Ingredients:

Storage:

Method:

  1. Combine all oils
  2. Add bisabolol and vitamin E
  3. Gently shake to mix
  4. Store in a cool, dark place

The final product will be stable for 12-18 months.

To use:

  1. Apply to your scalp in sections
  2. Massage gently for 3-5 minutes
  3. Can be left on for 30 minutes before washing, or overnight

For best results, the scalp oil should be used 1-2 times per week consistently throughout a 4-6 week period, though results may vary.

Essentially Natural Bisabolol

R 120.00
R 120.00
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Aiden van Wyk

I'm Aiden, and I’m passionate about helping people live their best lives through mindful lifestyle choices.

I started exploring healthier living at 16 and have since developed a strong interest in botanicals, believing there’s much untapped potential in nature's remedies to improve well-being.


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