Calendula to Improve Your Skin

Calendula has been in use for hundreds of years both in skincare and medicine. When infused in oil, it creates a golden elixir that is incredibly healing, rejuvenating, and supportive of skin health.

We came across calendula as a skin healing remedy when using cloth diapers for one of our children and having some recurring skin issues. Calendula cream helped clear up diaper rash quickly. We started using it on mosquito bites, then all other sorts of skin abrasions, sunburn and many other issues. 

What is Calendula

Calendula, scientifically known as Calendula officinalis, is an amazing beneficial plant with bright orange or yellow flowers. Not only is calendula a beautiful addition to any garden, it is also edible and a powerful medicinal plant. It’s easy to grow and does not require intense maintenance. Calendula flowers can be grown in containers. They’re often confused with marigolds, however, these are a different plant. They will grow in almost any climate and reseed themselves year after year if allowed. 

Calendula Infused Oil

Calendula oil is derived from infusing the calendula flower in a carrier oil. It has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate skin irritation. Calendula oil can be used to treat nearly any skin ailment or injury, from rosacea to eczema to rashes. Calendula is known and used in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and some refer to calendula oil as “liquid gold.”

How to make Calendula Infused Oil

Calendula-infused oil is made by infusing cut calendula flowers with a carrier oil such as organic olive oil or organic avocado oil. Be sure to use an organic, plant-based oil that has been cold pressed for best benefits. 

If you’ve grown your own calendula flowers, ensure that you’re not using harmful pesticides on your plants. Harvest your flowers by popping them off the top of the plant. Dry them either on an out-of-the-way table or even in the sun. You can use petals or the whole flower (as long as they’ve been dried) letting the oil absorb the rich colour and healing properties of the calendula flowers. Let the mixture sit for at least a few weeks, then strain and store. 

This calendula-infused oil can be used in making a potent salve or it can be used sparingly directly on the skin where needed. 

Ways to Use Calendula Oil

Healthy Anti-Itch Cream

If your skin is having a reaction to either insect bites or stings or an allergic reaction to anything, calendula can help. It won’t stop the allergic reaction, but it will stop the sometimes overwhelming itch that accompanies mosquito bites, bee stings, or other allergy inducing event. Unlike cortisone creams, calendula does not have collagen affecting side effects. Of course, if you have any dramatic allergic reaction, visit a health care professional to assess any issues, but you can use calendula safely to alleviate discomfort. 

Moisturizer

Calendula oil is known for nourishing and moisturising qualities. It’s full of essential fatty acids that can help your skin feel more smooth and supple, and it’s an oil that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy feel. Calendula is compatible with most skin types and can be used in the morning or evening as a moisturizer to help your complexion achieve a nice glow. 

Enhancing Youthful Appearance

Calendula encourages cell turnover by eliminating dead skin cells, debris and promoting the formation of new tissues. This is an important function that helps keep the structural integrity of the skin intact. Moreover, the antioxidants in calendula stimulate the synthesis of collagen – the key protein for enriching skin texture. This vastly diminishes signs of ageing like wrinkles, fine lines, sagging and plumps up the skin, for a youthful and glowing look.

Alleviates Dryness and Skin Issues

From diaper rashes to eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or even burns, calendula calms irritation and promotes healing thanks to the many antimicrobial components in calendula. It can even aid in helping with chapped lips. Calendula flowers are edible, so as long as you are using food-grade oils as an infusion, go ahead and use calendula-infused oil on your lips!

Stretch Mark Treatment

Calendula-infused oil can help alleviate stretch marks as it encourages skin cell turnover and reducing scar tissue. It’s supportive of even very sensitive skin types and can be applied to stretch marks pure, or mixed with other oils. 

Encourage Hair Growth

Calendula extracts are blessed with several B vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that foster the growth of thick hair. Massaging the scalp with calendula oil stimulates hair follicles and encourages hair growth. Polyphenols in calendula oil enhance the formation of new hair.

Alleviate Dandruff

Calendula can help calm the scalp irritation of dandruff as well. As the calendula oil has a deep golden color, it can also impart its coloration to hair, so use sparingly on hair if this is of concern.

Wound Healing

Using calendula-infused oil to treat a wound can help encourage healing. It alleviates skin irritation and encourages skin cell turnover which helps to improve wounds. It can also help reduce redness and inflammation of the affected area with its soothing properties. 

Acne Treatment

With its antibacterial and antifungal properties, calendula oil is a great tool in the fight against acne. It can be used in multiple forms — as a cleanser, spot treatments or moisturiser. Frequently associated with oily skin, some acne sufferers initially shy away from adding more oil to their skin. However, an antimicrobial oil like calendula oil can help manage acne and also help reduce inflammation. 

Shasta Sage Wellness makes high quality calendula oil, using only the best organic oils (WHAT KIND ARE YOU USING) to ensure that the assistance in healing for your skin is as supportive as possible. Our calendula flowers are organically grown, and we infuse our oil for one month. Our oil is lightly heated in sunlight for one afternoon to accelerate the infusion of the calendula flower properties in every bottle we ship. 

Every bottle of Shasta Sage Wellness Calendula Oil is made by hand and checked for quality prior to shipping.

You can get your Calendula Oil from our store here. It is also an ingredient in our Calendula Salve, available here.