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This study aimed to develop microemulsions (MEs) containing α-bisabolol for the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Initially, pseudoternary phase diagrams were developed using α-bisabolol as the oil phase, Eumulgin® CO 40 as the surfactant, Polymol® HE as the co-surfactant, and distilled water as the aqueous phase. Two transparent liquid systems (TLS) containing 5% of α-bisabolol were selected and characterized (F5E25 and F5EP25). Next, skin permeation and retention assays were performed using Franz cells. The interaction of the formulation with the stratum corneum (SC) was evaluated using the FTIR technique. The cytotoxicity was evaluated in murine peritoneal macrophages. Finally, the antileishmanial activity of microemulsions was determined in promastigotes and amastigotes of L. amazonensis (strain MHOM/BR/77/LTB 0016). As a result, the selected formulations showed isotropy, nanometric size (below 25 nm), Newtonian behavior and pH ranging from 6.5 to 6.9. The MEs achieved a 2.5-fold increase in the flux and skin-permeated amount of α-bisabolol. ATR-FTIR results showed that microemulsions promoted fluidization and extraction of lipids and proteins of the stratum corneum, increasing the diffusion coefficient and partition coefficient of the drug in the skin. Additionally, F5E25 and F5EP25 showed higher activity against promastigotes (IC 50 13.27 and 18.29, respectively) compared to unencapsulated α-bisabolol (IC 50 53.8). Furthermore, F5E25 and F5EP25 also showed antileishmanial activity against intracellular amastigotes of L. amazonensis, with IC 50 50 times lower than free α-bisabolol and high selectivity index (up to 15). Therefore, the systems obtained are favorable to topical administration, with significant antileishmanial activity against L. amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes, being a promising system for future in vivo trials. [Display omitted] • Microemulsions (ME) containing α-bisabolol presented antileishmanial activity. • ME showed a 2.5-fold increase in the permeation of α-bisabolol. • ME showed greater activity against promastigote and amastigote than α-bisabolol. • F5E25 ME showed IC 50 of 3.37 μg. mL−1, 50 times lower than α-bisabolol. • F5E25 ME presented high SI, approximately 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]