Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: June 24, 2025
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All information on this page is verified using publicly available nomenclature standards and reference materials from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and the European Commission's CosIng database. Our analyses are based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract?

Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the German chamomile plant, a daisy-like herb long prized for its calming scent. While most people know chamomile for its flowers, the leaves contain their own mix of helpful natural compounds such as flavonoids, trace essential oils and gentle sugars that can soothe and soften skin.

Chamomile has been used in folk skin care for centuries as a homemade rinse or compress. Modern cosmetic chemists began looking at the plant in the mid-20th century, studying which parts offer the best skin benefits. Leaf extract proved to be a reliable source of fragrance molecules and skin-loving actives, so it was adopted by the beauty industry.

To make the extract, freshly harvested leaves are cleaned, dried and steeped in a skin-safe carrier like glycerin or water. The liquid is then filtered to remove plant solids, leaving a concentrated solution that can be blended into creams, gels or sprays.

You will spot Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract in a wide range of products such as facial masks, daily moisturizers, after-sun lotions, baby care formulas, soothing toners, anti-aging serums and rinse-off cleansers.

Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

This plant-based ingredient brings two main perks to a cosmetic formula

  • Fragrance: Adds a light herbal scent that can mask raw ingredient odors and make products more pleasant to use without relying on synthetic perfume
  • Skin conditioning: Helps keep skin feeling soft and comfortable by providing mild soothing properties and a weightless layer of hydration

Who Can Use Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract

Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract is generally well-tolerated by all skin types, including dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Its gentle nature makes it a popular pick for easily irritated skin because it helps calm and lightly moisturize without clogging pores. There are no skin types that must avoid it, though anyone with a known allergy to plants in the daisy family should proceed carefully due to possible cross-reactivity.

The extract comes from a plant and is processed without animal derivatives, so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Formulators usually suspend it in plant-based solvents like glycerin or water, keeping the ingredient free of animal by-products.

Current research shows no specific concerns for topical use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Still, this is not medical advice and expecting or nursing parents should ask a qualified healthcare professional before adding any new skincare product to their routine.

Chamomile does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so products containing this extract do not increase the risk of sunburn. Normal daily sun protection practices are all that is needed.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Responses to Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract can differ from person to person. The points below list potential reactions yet most people will not experience any problems when the ingredient is used correctly in a finished cosmetic formula.

  • Allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to ragweed or other Asteraceae plants
  • Mild redness or itching in very reactive skin
  • Contact dermatitis if used in high concentrations or on damaged skin
  • Fragrance sensitization for those intolerant to natural aromatic compounds

If you notice irritation, swelling or lasting discomfort stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 0 / 5

Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract is made mostly of water-soluble plant sugars, flavonoids and trace aromatic oils that sit lightly on the skin and rinse away easily. It contains no thick butters or heavy lipids that could block pores, so it earns a solid zero on the comedogenic scale.

That means the extract is considered safe for people who are prone to acne or breakouts when used in normal cosmetic amounts.

Keep in mind the final formula matters; a product packed with rich oils could still clog pores even if this extract itself does not.

Summary

Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract mainly works as a scent booster and a skin conditioner. The natural aromatic molecules give products a soft herbal smell while the flavonoids and gentle sugars soothe surface redness and lightly hydrate, leaving skin comfortable and fresh.

You will find it in a fair number of calming creams, baby lotions and after-sun gels, though it is not the trendiest plant ingredient on the shelf. Brands choose it because it is dependable, mild and pairs well with many actives.

Overall safety is high; reports of irritation are rare and usually tied to ragweed allergies. Still, every skin is different, so it is smart to do a quick patch test whenever you start a new product that lists Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract near the top of the ingredient list.

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