Skincare: Azulene
Azulene oil is a beauty product derived from flowers in the Asteraceae family, and most commonly distilled from German chamomile flowers. It is used to moisturize and soothe irritated skin and remove sticky residue, particularly after hair removal procedures such as waxing and shaving. The oil is noted for its sweet smell and blue color — the name azulenecomes from the Spanish word azul, which means blue. Many azulene oils also contain other natural ingredients that help to soothe the skin, such as vitamin E and aloe vera.
The oil can be either poured or sprayed out of a bottle. It can also be found in creams, lotions, and hair removal waxes. Many waxing kits come with a bottle of the oil for after-treatment care.
Azulene oil can be used to treat irritation or as a daily skin conditioner. Some of the specific problems azulene oil treats include red bumps, razor burn, and ingrown hair. Though it is primarily marketed to women, men can also use the oil as an aftershave lotion. There are also some azulene oil products which claim they can be used for slowing the growth of new hair. It is also less commonly used to moisturize areas of the body that get particularly dry, such as around the eyes, cuticles, elbows, and heels.
While chamomile is the most common source of azulene oil, the product can also be derived from eucalyptus, elemi, and vetiver. Though it is usually a blue hue, some varieties may also have green, red, or violet tones. The color of the oil depends on the plant, the distillation process, and even the time of day the plants are distilled.
Azulene oils will lose clarity and darken when they are turning bad. The scent may also become unpleasant. In order to extend the life of the oil, it should be stored away from light in a cool place.
The most common side effect of using azulene oils is irritation when treated skin is exposed to sunlight. Some individuals may also have an allergic reaction to the oil, particularly if they are sensitive to any plants in the daisy family. Products with a high concentration of azulene are most likely to cause an adverse reaction.
Other forms of azulene are used in naturopathy for a wide array of illnesses. It has been used to treat ailments such as gastritis, athlete’s foot, ulcers, and vein problems. When used for medical purposes, azulene can be administered both externally and internally.
Azulene:
Azulene, named after the Spanish word for "blue," azul, is an organic compound derived from the steam distillation of chamomile; Tanacetum anuum, or blue tansy; Anthemis nobilis, or Roman chamomile; or Achillea millefolium, or yarrow. The oil obtained from this steam distillation is often found in products used topically, such as skincare products and some cosmetics. It is widely regarded as a useful ingredient for both its lustrous blue color and wide array of healing properties.
This compound dates to the 15th century, when it was derived from the steam distillation of German chamomile. It was later discovered to be present in several other plants, including yarrow and blue tansy, during the late 1800s. It was officially named in 1863 by Septimus Piesse of France, and it has been used over the centuries in various herbal remedies.
As an additive to its use in salves and ointments, azulene is thought to assist in calming a wide variety of skin irritations and conditions because of its soothing properties, anti-inflammatory effects and antibacterial properties. Azulene can be found as an ingredient in bath salts, cosmetics, shaving creams and other topicals to help prevent or soothe minor skin irritations. It is believed to assist in cell regeneration, so the oil is often found in skin care products used to combat wrinkles and skin blemishes.
Azulene is an herbal ingredient used topically, and many of its properties are thought to be derived from the chamomile plant, through which it is distilled. Chamomile is a common name used to refer to several daisy-like plants that are most well known for their ability to be used in teas. Chamomile has long been thought to be useful as a sleep aid, though some people claim that it has other useful benefits that help in the healing of a variety of other ailments. Azulene is also derived from yarrow, a flowering plant believed to have natural astringent properties, and blue tansy, another flowering plant believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.
There is limited scientific data regarding the safe use of azulene or any of the related herbal plants in any product. Caution should be exercised when one uses any of the ingredients or products that contain those ingredients. Rare allergic reactions can and do occur, so a physician should be consulted before any of these products are used, especially by pregnant or nursing women or by anyone currently taking other medications.
