Blue tansy (a.k.a. Tanacetum annuum) is a tiny flower that has become increasingly popular in the use of skin care, namely for its anti-acne and youth promoting benefits. Thus, you can often find this ingredient in acne creams, spot treatments, essential oils and healthy aging skin care products.
Blue tansy, which is actually yellow in color, originally was a wild-harvested flower found in the Mediterranean, but it is currently cultivated mainly from Morocco.1 While the flower may be yellow, the essential oil that is derived for the use in skin care is blue, and with its skin smoothing and soothing properties, it is no wonder this versatile ingredient has caught many people's eyes.
Skin Care Benefits
Apart from the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits mentioned above, blue tansy also aids in protecting and healing the skin from damaging UV exposure and environmental aggressors.2
The Sabine and camphor properties found in this ingredient are what provide its fantastic anti-inflammatory benefits. When applied to the skin, these anti-inflammatory compounds can help with skin damage, swelling, discomfort and redness.3
One of the ways blue tansy has taken center stage in the skin care market is by being sold as an essential oil that can then be added to different skin care products like creams, cleansers, serums and masks. However, if your clients are planning on adding this ingredient to their skin care routine in this manner, make sure they dilute the essential oil with some kind of carrier oil as to lessen the possibility of irritation to the skin.3
"Blue Tansy offers a trifecta of benefits–soothing skin, mind and emotions. Its beautiful indigo blue color is due to its chamazulene content, which provides calming, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects resulting in glowing skin and a higher sense of well-being." -Sherrie Dawkins, Professional Aromatherapist and Formulator for Body Bliss Intentional Aromatherapy
Related: Mood Boosting Products to Cure The Winter Blues
In the Spa
Thanks to its soothing scent, blue tansy is often used during massage services in the spa. When used for aromatherapy purposes, this essential oil has been said to help calm, center and even boost self-esteem.
One product that showcases the aromatherapy benefits of blue tansy is the doTERRA Balance essential oil blend. The blue tansy in this ingredient helps to provide soothing benefits both from an aromatherapy standpoint and skin care standpoint.
When it comes to using blue tansy in body products, KM Herbals features it in their Blue Sapphire Hand & Body Lotion. The use of blue tansy delivers cooling benefits, and is paired with citrus essential oils to help balance and soothe the skin while calming the mind and spirit. Body Bliss also uses blue tansy in their Prickly Pear Shea Body Butter to help stimulate self-repair while soothing and conditioning the skin.
Another product that pairs blue tansy with prickly pear would be the Naturopathica Prickly Pear & Salicylic Acid Toner. This acne clearing tonic highlights more of the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits of blue tansy in its formulation. Dermalogica combines retinol and salicylic acid with blue tansy in their Retinol Clearing Oil to help reduce visible signs of aging while fighting breakouts.
Feeling Blue
Feeling blue really takes on a whole new meaning when you're talking about blue tansy. This is definitely an ingredient to keep in your aesthetic toolbelt whenever you're looking to add a little bit of soothing and calming into your clients skin care routine.
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