Bisabolol
Bisabolol suppliers and sourcing guide
Bisabolol (alpha-bisabolol) is a sesquiterpene alcohol and a colorless to pale yellow, oil-soluble liquid. Natural (-)-alpha-bisabolol, also called levomenol, is distilled from the essential oil of the Brazilian candeia tree (Eremanthus erythropappus) or found in German chamomile; it is also made by fermentation. Synthetic bisabolol is a racemic mixture of isomers. Brands buy it as a neat liquid for the oil phase of skin care.
- Category
- Cosmetic actives
- Also known as
- alpha-bisabolol · levomenol · (-)-alpha-bisabolol · CAS 515-69-5 · CAS 23089-26-1
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of bisabolol
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Natural (-)-alpha-bisabolol
Levomenol from candeia oil, sold at high purity; optical rotation shows it is the natural isomer.
Synthetic bisabolol
Racemic alpha-bisabolol made by chemical synthesis, usually at lower cost.
Fermentation-derived bisabolol
Bisabolol produced by engineered microorganisms and purified.
Chamomile-sourced material
Bisabolol-rich fractions or oils from German chamomile, with lower and more variable bisabolol content.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Assay (GC)
- Alpha-bisabolol content by GC, usually high purity for natural and synthetic grades.
- Optical rotation
- Distinguishes natural (-)-alpha-bisabolol from racemic synthetic material.
- Related terpenes
- Farnesol, bisabolol oxides and other terpenes by GC.
- Refractive index and density
- Identity checks for the liquid.
- Residual solvents
- Solvents by GC where the process uses them.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep bisabolol in closed, full containers at room temperature, away from light and air, which slowly oxidize it. Nitrogen blanketing helps for partly used drums. Shelf life and retest dates come from the supplier.
Lots and expiry dates
Record the source (natural, synthetic or fermentation) and optical rotation for each lot, since they are not the same material for labeling or natural-origin claims. Check assay and odor on older stock before use.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists levomenol ((-)-alpha-bisabolol, from the flower of Matricaria chamomilla) with fragrance ingredient and skin-conditioning agent as allowed topical purposes up to 1%, citing CIR, and flavour enhancer for oral use.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The same database lists bisabolol (CAS 515-69-5) as an approved chemical name with the non-medicinal purpose skin-conditioning agent.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists alpha-bisabolol (CAS 515-69-5) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Bisabolol suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking bisabolol suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell bisabolol? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of bisabolol can brands buy?
Common forms include natural (-)-alpha-bisabolol, synthetic bisabolol, fermentation-derived bisabolol and chamomile-sourced material. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for bisabolol include?
Expect assay (GC), optical rotation, related terpenes, refractive index and density and residual solvents, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should bisabolol be stored?
Keep bisabolol in closed, full containers at room temperature, away from light and air, which slowly oxidize it. Nitrogen blanketing helps for partly used drums. Shelf life and retest dates come from the supplier.
What is the regulatory status of bisabolol?
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists levomenol ((-)-alpha-bisabolol, from the flower of Matricaria chamomilla) with fragrance ingredient and skin-conditioning agent as allowed topical purposes up to 1%, citing CIR, and flavour enhancer for oral use. The same database lists bisabolol (CAS 515-69-5) as an approved chemical name with the non-medicinal purpose skin-conditioning agent. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists alpha-bisabolol (CAS 515-69-5) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant.
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