3 Reasons Why Calendula is a Skin Care Must-Have

How to Use Calendula officinalis in Natural Wellness

You’ve likely admired its cheerful orange and yellow petals dancing in a garden, but did you know that the humble Calendula officinalis (often called Pot Marigold) is a powerhouse of natural healing? This “Bride of the Sun” isn’t just a pretty face; she’s a centuries-old herbal heroine, renowned in traditional medicine, natural wellness, and modern skin care.

One easy way to harness the healing power of this golden flower is in an herbal infused oil. Click the button below to download a FREE guide to making Calendula oil magic!

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In this Post:

• Calendula is an Historic Global Healer
• Calendula is a Skin Care Superstar
  • The Infused Oil: Liquid Sunshine
  • The Hydrosol: A Gentle Astringent
• Calendula is Easy to Grow from Seed
• Calendula Products Mentioned in this Post
• Educators Specializing in Herbal Infused Oils

Calendula is an Historic Global Healer

For generations, healers, herbalists, and natural skin care formulators have revered Calendula for its remarkable vulnerary (wound-healing) and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s the top choice for soothing all things irritated. Beyond cuts and scrapes, it’s celebrated for:

• Skin Repair: It helps speed the regeneration of skin cells, helping minor wounds, burns, and rashes heal more quickly and cleanly.^[1] Great combined with Yarrow.
• Lymphatic Support: It gently encourages the lymphatic system to cleanse and move fluids, beneficial for immune health, detoxification, and overall natural wellness.^[2] Excellent with Red Clover.
• Digestive Comfort: Internally, it can soothe inflamed mucous membranes throughout the digestive tract, offering relief for gastrointestinal irritation and other issues.^[2] It’s lovely with Marshmallow Root.

Calendula in Ayurveda
Calendula’s reputation as a healer is truly global, extending into the traditional Indian system of Ayurveda. Classified as cooling, bitter, and astringent, it is highly valued for pacifying the Pitta (fire/heat) and Kapha (water/congestion) doshas. The flower is an ancient remedy for skin conditions driven by excess heat, such as dermatitis and acne, and is used internally to cleanse and promote healing of the stomach and intestines.

Calendula is a Skin Care Superstar

When it comes to skin care, Calendula truly shines. The infused oil and hydrosol are two potent options. These are easy to make yourself, but can also be found at trusted natural wellness suppliers online.

The Infused Oil: Liquid Sunshine

This is where the true magic of Calendula’s fat-soluble compounds comes alive! When you infuse the dried flowers into a carrier oil (like Jojoba, Sunflower, or Grapeseed oil), you extract its potent triterpenoids (powerful anti-inflammatories), carotenoids (antioxidant pigments), and calendic acid (a healing fatty acid, named for the Calendula flower).^[3]

What it does: Calendula infused oil is a skin savior. It calms redness, reduces swelling, soothes dryness, and promotes the repair of damaged skin.^[1] It’s fantastic for:

• Irritated, chapped, or dry skin
• Diaper rash or sensitive baby skin
• Minor cuts, scrapes, and bug bites
• Eczema and psoriasis flare-ups
• Nourishing the scalp and conditioning hair.

The Hydrosol: A Gentle Astringent

While the infused oil captures fat-soluble compounds, a hydrosol (the aromatic water collected during steam distillation) captures the water-soluble benefits and aromatic essence of the plant.

What it does: Calendula hydrosol is a wonderfully gentle and slightly astringent toner. It’s excellent for:

• Balancing skin pH
• A mild aftershave astringent (combine with Opopanax or Witch Hazel hydrosol)
• Cooling and calming sunburn or hot flashes (combine with Peppermint hydrosol)
• Refreshing tired skin^[4] (combine with Lavender or Roman Chamomile hydrosol)
• As a gentle facial toner for sensitive or acne-prone skin^[4] (great combined with Rose or Frankincense hydrosol)
• Soothing minor eye irritation (as a compress, not a rinse).

🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below

Note for Sensitive Skin & Allergies: Calendula is a member of the Aster family of plants (Asteraceae or Compositae). Some people with an allergy to this family of plants may develop a skin rash after topical application. As with all new skin care products, always test the oil or hydrosol on the inner elbow 3 days before use. Discontinue if rash or irritation develops.

Calendula is Easy to Grow from Seed

The best part? Calendula is incredibly easy to grow, even for beginner gardeners! While they are an annual plant, they reseed quite easily. Having your own supply of these vibrant blooms means fresh material for your natural wellness preparations.

5 Tips for Growing Calendula from Seed

• Direct Sow: Calendula seeds are quite robust and prefer to be sown directly into the garden bed after the last frost. In milder climates direct sew in late Summer for Fall blooms.
• Sunny Spot, Well-Drained Soil: They love full sun (at least 6 hours a day) and thrive in moderately rich, well-drained soil. They aren’t too fussy!
• Shallow Planting: Plant seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep and about 6-12 inches apart. You can thin them later if they come up too close together.
• Keep Moist: Water regularly, especially during dry spells, until seedlings are established. Once mature, they are quite drought-tolerant.
• Deadhead for More Blooms: To encourage continuous flowering throughout the season, remove the flowers when they are at their stickiest (this means they are full of resin and perfect for herbal medicine).^[2]

Transforming these beautiful flowers into healing oils, teas, and hydrosols is an incredibly rewarding experience. Are you eager to start making your own herbal remedies? Scroll down to learn more!

Calendula Products Mentioned in this Post

• Calendula Flowers (Calendula officinalis):
  • Starwest Botanicals, organic (Direct and Amazon)
  • J Mac Botanicals, organic (on Amazon).

• Calendula Hydrosol (Calendula officinalis):
  • Aromatics International, organic

• Calendula Oil (Calendula officinalis):
  • Aromatics International, organic, Olive Oil infusion

• Calendula Seeds (Calendula officinalis):
  • Botanical Interests, several varieties, organic, non-gmo
  • Survival Garden Seeds, several varieties, non-gmo, heirloom (on Amazon)

• Jojoba oil/wax (Simmondsia chinensis):
  • HobaCare, organic (use code “momsjojo20” to save on your first order)
  • Aromatics International, organic
  • Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).

• Trauma Oil:
  • A blend of Arnica, Calendula, and St John’s Wort infused oils
  • Aromatics International, organic, artisan crafted.

Educators Specializing in Herbal Infused Oils

• Herbal Actives with Susan Parker
  • IMHO the #1 Lipid Carrier Oil expert & educator
  • Susan has 30+ years experience dedicated to studying lipid carrier oils
  • Learn about the active compounds in herbal oils & benefit to skin
  • Lifetime access to pre-recorded lessons with pdf downloads.

• Handcrafted Healing Herbal Oils with Kami McBride
  • IMHO the #1 Kitchen Herbalist & educator
  • Kami has 35+ years experience with herbal oil crafting
  • Kami personally mentors each new cohort (opens 2-3 times per year)
  • Currently closed to enrollment.

• Herbal Oils 101 at Herbal Academy
  • An introductory mini course on crafting basic herbal oils for skin care and culinary use
  • Choose course only or course + printed workbook upgrade
  • Currently closed to enrollment.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.