Bisabolol
Bisabolol is a plant-derived ingredient primarily from chamomile that has significant anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and humectant properties. Bisabolol prevents the release of inflammatory markers often triggered by UV exposure, environmental stress, and skin irritants. It also works similarly to lidocaine (a topical numbing cream) by blocking cell channels associated with pain perception and inflammatory responses. Bisabolol also contains panthenol or Vitamin B5, a chemical compound that attracts water, helping to draw moisture into skin and maintain skin hydration. Bisabolol’s anti-inflammatory mechanisms may explain why recent research has also illuminated its potential as an effective treatment for hyperpigmentation. Some clinical studies have found that cream containing 0.5% bisabolol is able to fade hyperpigmentation by inhibiting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation pathways that upregulate melanin production and are exacerbated by exposure to UV radiation. This makes bisabolol a particularly useful ingredient to include in sunscreens.
