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Blue Tansy Oil
In brief: Blue tansy is one of skincare's most beautiful secrets - a rare essential oil with a striking deep blue colour and remarkable ability to calm reactive, stressed skin. Related to chamomile, it contains chamazulene, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that forms during distillation and gives the oil its characteristic sapphire hue. We use it in our calming formulations for skin that needs soothing, not stimulating.
Quick Reference
INCI Name: Tanacetum annuum Flower Oil
Common Names: Blue tansy oil, Moroccan blue chamomile, Moroccan tansy
Category: Essential oil, anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing agent
Source: Natural - steam distilled from flowers of Tanacetum annuum, primarily cultivated in Morocco
Skin Types Suited To: Sensitive skin, reactive skin, redness-prone skin, stressed or irritated skin
Cautions: Essential oil - always used diluted. Patch test recommended. Consult healthcare provider before use during pregnancy.
What It Is
Blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) is a flowering plant in the chamomile family, native to Morocco and the Mediterranean region. Here's what makes it fascinating: the flowers are actually yellow. The striking blue colour only appears during steam distillation, when a compound called chamazulene forms from other plant constituents. It's a kind of botanical alchemy - yellow flowers yielding deep blue oil.
This transformation isn't just visually striking; chamazulene is the key to blue tansy's therapeutic benefits. It's a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound also found in German chamomile, and it's why blue tansy has become so prized in skincare for sensitive and reactive complexions.
Blue tansy belongs to the Asteraceae family alongside chamomile, and it carries many of chamomile's calming, soothing benefits — but with a more complex aromatic profile and that unmistakable blue colour that makes products genuinely beautiful to use.
Important note: Blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) is completely different from common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), which contains toxic compounds and should never be used in skincare. Always check that products specify Tanacetum annuum.
How It Works
Anti-inflammatory action. Chamazulene, blue tansy's signature compound, is well-documented for its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce the production of inflammatory mediators in the skin, calming redness, puffiness and irritation. This makes it valuable for reactive skin conditions including rosacea-prone skin and general sensitivity.
Antioxidant protection. Blue tansy provides antioxidant benefits that help protect skin from free radical damage caused by environmental stressors like UV exposure and pollution. This protective action supports overall skin health and helps prevent premature ageing.
Skin soothing. The oil has been used by radiologists in spritzer form to help soothe skin during radiation treatment - a testament to its genuine calming capabilities. For everyday use, this translates to relief for irritated, stressed or uncomfortable skin.
Antihistamine effects. Blue tansy has traditional use as a natural antihistamine, which may contribute to its ability to calm reactive skin and reduce the appearance of allergic-type skin responses.
Cell regeneration support. Some evidence suggests blue tansy may help support skin cell turnover and regeneration, potentially improving the appearance of scars, fine lines and damaged skin over time.
The Chemistry of Blue
The blue colour of blue tansy oil comes from chamazulene, but here's the interesting part: chamazulene doesn't exist in the fresh plant. It forms during steam distillation when heat transforms another compound called matricine into chamazulene. This is why the yellow flowers produce blue oil - the chemistry changes during extraction.
Chamazulene is also found in German chamomile and yarrow oils, which share similar blue colouration and calming properties. The intensity of blue can vary between batches depending on harvest timing and distillation conditions - some oils appear more greenish-blue, others deep sapphire.
Beyond chamazulene, blue tansy contains other beneficial compounds including sabinene (anti-inflammatory), camphor (skin repair), and alpha-pinene (antioxidant). This complex chemistry contributes to its versatile skin benefits.
Benefits
Primary Benefits
Blue tansy excels at calming reactive, inflamed or irritated skin. If your skin tends toward redness, sensitivity or unpredictable reactions, blue tansy's anti-inflammatory and soothing properties can help restore calm and comfort. It's the ingredient you reach for when skin is stressed rather than merely dry or dull.
Secondary Benefits
The oil provides antioxidant protection against environmental damage, supports skin barrier function, may help with the appearance of fine lines and scarring, and offers a beautiful aromatherapy experience. Its sweet, herbaceous scent is naturally relaxing - a sensory benefit that complements its physical effects.
Skin Concerns Addressed
Blue tansy is particularly suited to sensitive or reactive skin, redness and inflammation, rosacea-prone complexions, post-sun skin, stressed or irritated skin, minor burns or skin damage, and skin recovering from environmental exposure.
Who Benefits Most
Sensitive skin types. If your skin reacts to many products or environmental changes, blue tansy's gentle, calming action can help soothe without triggering further sensitivity.
Redness-prone skin. Whether from rosacea, general reactivity or environmental factors, blue tansy helps calm the inflammation that causes visible redness.
Stressed or damaged skin. After sun exposure, harsh weather or skin trauma, blue tansy supports recovery and helps restore comfort.
Those who appreciate sensory experience. Blue tansy products are genuinely beautiful - the colour, the scent, the feeling of calm. If skincare ritual matters to you, blue tansy delivers on multiple levels.
Skincare enthusiasts. If you're interested in botanicals with genuine therapeutic properties and fascinating chemistry, blue tansy is an ingredient worth knowing.
How We Use It
Products Containing Blue Tansy
Blue Tansy Balm with Vitamin C and Blueberry Seed Oil is a luxurious treatment combining blue tansy's calming benefits with the antioxidant power of THD-C vitamin C and blueberry seed oil. The formula includes olive squalane, Noosa Hinterland beeswax, jojoba esters and vitamin E for deep nourishment alongside the anti-inflammatory benefits. This is our go-to for skin that needs both calming and antioxidant support.
Blue Tansy Serum is a simpler, lighter formula - olive squalane, blueberry seed oil, blue tansy and mixed tocopherols. This delivers blue tansy's benefits in a serum format that absorbs quickly and works beautifully under other products or alone.
Using Our Blue Tansy Products
For the Balm: Apply to clean skin, focusing on areas that need extra soothing or protection. The rich texture makes it ideal for evening use or as a targeted treatment for reactive areas. A little goes a long way.
For the Serum: Apply a few drops to clean skin morning or evening. The lighter texture makes it suitable for daytime use and layering with other products. Massage gently until absorbed.
Both products work beautifully as part of a calming routine for reactive skin, or as occasional treatments when your skin needs extra soothing.
A Note on Colour
Yes, our blue tansy products have a blue tint - that's the chamazulene doing its job. At the concentrations we use, properly formulated into carrier oils, the products will not stain your skin or clothing. The blue colour is part of what makes these products special, and it's a visible reminder that you're using a genuine, active botanical ingredient.
If you've seen very intensely blue products elsewhere, they may contain additional colourants. Our colour comes purely from the blue tansy itself.
The Aroma
Blue tansy has a complex, sweet, herbaceous scent with subtle floral and camphorous undertones. Most people find it pleasant, calming and slightly reminiscent of chamomile - which makes sense given the family connection. It's quite different from the sharp medicinal scent of tea tree or eucalyptus.
The aroma is part of the therapeutic experience. Blue tansy is used in aromatherapy for stress relief and relaxation, so applying these products becomes a small ritual of calm in your day.
Usage Guidelines
Application
Apply to clean skin. For the balm, warm a small amount between fingertips before applying. For the serum, a few drops is sufficient for the face.
Frequency
Both products are gentle enough for daily use. For very reactive skin, start with every other day and increase as your skin adjusts.
What to Expect
Immediate soothing sensation and reduction in skin discomfort. With regular use over 2-4 weeks, expect calmer, less reactive skin with reduced redness and improved overall comfort. The antioxidant benefits accumulate over time, supporting healthier skin long-term.
Contraindications and Cautions
Blue tansy is generally well tolerated, but as with any botanical, individual sensitivities are possible. Patch test new products before widespread use.
Those with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (chamomile, ragweed, chrysanthemums) should exercise caution, as cross-reactivity is possible.
Using blue tansy products during pregnancy: some sources consider it safe at cosmetic dilutions, others recommend caution due to certain compounds in the oil.
Do not confuse blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) with common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), which is toxic and unsuitable for skincare use.
Related:
Olive Squalane Oil ingredient page
Vitamin C (THD-C) ingredient page
Blueberry Seed Oil ingredient page
Organic Jojoba Oil ingredient page
Beeswax ingredient page
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