Calendula for Skin: Why Herbalists Love This Golden Flower
If you start reading the ingredient labels on natural skincare products, it probably won't take long before you encounter calendula.
This cheerful orange and yellow flower has been used in traditional herbal skincare for generations. Today, you'll find calendula (Calendula officinalis) in everything from handmade salves and body balms to lotions, soaps, facial oils, and baby skincare.
So why do herbalists love calendula for skin?
Let's explore what makes this beautiful little flower such a popular addition to the herbal skincare cabinet.
What Is Calendula?
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.
It's sometimes called pot marigold, although it shouldn't be confused with the ornamental marigolds belonging to the Tagetes genus.
For herbal preparations, the flowers are primarily used.
Calendula has a long history of traditional topical use, and modern research has identified numerous plant compounds in it, including flavonoids, triterpenoids and carotenoids.
Why Is Calendula Used in Skincare?
Calendula's reputation as a skin herb isn't a recent wellness trend.
Traditional herbal practices have long incorporated calendula into topical preparations for the skin, and calendula extracts have also been widely incorporated into modern cosmetic formulations.
Today, you'll commonly find calendula in products intended to:
- Condition dry skin
- Soothe and soften the skin
- Moisturize rough areas
- Protect weather-exposed skin
- Support healthy-looking skin
One of the easiest ways for an herbalist or skincare maker to work with calendula is by turning the flowers into an herbal infused oil.
Calendula Infused Oil for Skin
Calendula-infused oil is made by allowing calendula flowers to infuse in a carrier oil.
Common choices include:
- Olive oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Jojoba oil
- Apricot kernel oil
Over time, oil-soluble constituents from the plant material infuse into the carrier oil.
Once the flowers are strained away, you have a versatile botanical oil that can become the foundation for all kinds of skincare products.
We'll walk through the process in:
How to Make Calendula Infused Oil at Home
Calendula for Dry, Rough Skin
Calendula is especially at home in products formulated for dry and rough skin.
Keep in mind that the moisturizing effect of a calendula product isn't coming from calendula alone.
The carrier oils, butters, and waxes in the formulation are doing important work too.
For example, you might combine calendula-infused oil with:
Shea Butter + Beeswax
for a rich hand balm.
Or:
Calendula Oil + Jojoba Oil
for a lightweight body oil.
Or:
Calendula Oil + Shea Butter + Cocoa Butter + Beeswax
for a heavier balm for rough hands, elbows, knees, or feet.
This versatility is one reason calendula is such a useful herb for skincare makers.
Calendula in Herbal Salves
If you're interested in making traditional herbal products, a calendula salve is a wonderful beginner project.
A basic salve can be as simple as:
Calendula-infused oil + beeswax
The beeswax thickens the oil and creates a protective balm that is easy to apply.
From there, you can experiment with other skin-friendly oils, butters, and herbs.
Herbs That Pair Well With Calendula
Calendula also plays very nicely with other herbs.
Calendula + Plantain
Plantain leaf is another traditional skin herb and is commonly incorporated into herbal salves.
This combination is especially popular in general-purpose herbal balms.
Calendula + Chamomile
Calendula and chamomile make a lovely combination for gentle skincare formulations.
Both belong to the Asteraceae family, so people with sensitivities to plants in that family should use caution.
Calendula + Lavender
Lavender brings its recognizable aroma to calendula-based products and is easy to incorporate into soaps, balms, lotions, and bath products.
Calendula + Comfrey
Comfrey has a long history of topical herbal use and is another popular ingredient in traditional herbal salves.
However, comfrey requires additional safety considerations and isn't automatically appropriate for every application simply because it's a traditional herb.
Calendula + Rose
Calendula and rose are a beautiful pairing for more luxurious facial and body preparations.
Try them together in botanical oils, bath products, soaps, or body balms.
Calendula in Soap
Calendula is also popular with handmade soap makers.
Dried calendula petals can be incorporated into certain soap designs, while calendula-infused oils can be used as part of a soap formulation.
The bright petals also give handmade products a beautiful botanical appearance.
If you're creating natural skincare products, calendula is one of those herbs that fits beautifully into both the function and appearance of a product.
Calendula in Lotion & Cream
Calendula extracts and infused oils also appear frequently in lotions and creams.
These products can be particularly nice for:
- Dry hands
- Rough elbows
- Dry legs and arms
- Everyday body moisturizing
- Weather-exposed skin
A lotion is different from a simple salve because it contains both oil and water phases.
That means properly formulated lotions and creams require an appropriate broad-spectrum preservative. Vitamin E, essential oils, and botanical extracts aren't substitutes for proper preservation.
Calendula in Lip Balm
Calendula-infused oil can also be incorporated into lip balm formulations.
A simple lip balm might combine:
- Calendula-infused oil
- Beeswax
- Shea butter
The result is an easy way to incorporate a traditional botanical ingredient into an everyday product.
Calendula in Baby & Sensitive-Skin Products
You'll also frequently see calendula marketed in products intended for babies and sensitive skin.
That doesn't mean calendula is automatically non-allergenic or appropriate for every person.
The European Medicines Agency notes that skin sensitization has been reported with calendula flower medicines and advises against their use in people who are hypersensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family.
For a new topical product, especially on sensitive skin, testing a small area first is sensible.
Does Science Support Calendula for Skin?
There's an interesting body of research surrounding calendula and topical applications.
Calendula contains several groups of biologically active plant compounds, and researchers have investigated its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-related effects.
However, the evidence isn't strong enough to turn every traditional calendula use into a proven medical claim.
For example, a systematic review of calendula for wound healing found that the available clinical evidence was limited and that better-quality research was needed.
That's an important distinction.
We can appreciate calendula's traditional herbal uses without claiming that a homemade calendula salve can treat medical skin conditions.
What Shouldn't You Put Calendula Salve On?
Homemade herbal products are wonderful for everyday skincare, but they shouldn't automatically be applied to every skin problem.
Seek appropriate medical care for:
- Deep wounds
- Serious burns
- Animal or human bites
- Significant puncture wounds
- Signs of infection
- Severe allergic reactions
- Spreading redness or swelling
- Wounds that won't heal
- Unexplained or persistent skin changes
A jar of herbal salve belongs in the skincare cabinet—not in place of appropriate wound or medical care.
How to Choose Calendula for Skincare
If you're buying dried calendula to make your own products, look for the botanical name:
Calendula officinalis
The flowers should still have noticeable yellow or orange color rather than appearing completely brown and faded.
And if you're purchasing calendula-infused oil or finished skincare, check the entire ingredient list.
A product labeled "Calendula Balm" may contain only a small amount of calendula alongside many other ingredients.
Grow Your Own Calendula
One of the best things about calendula is how accessible it can be.
You can grow the flowers yourself, harvest them throughout the season, dry them, and eventually turn them into your own herbal skincare ingredients.
It's a wonderful plant for anyone interested in creating a garden-to-apothecary routine.
We'll cover that process in:
How to Grow, Harvest & Dry Calendula
Why Calendula Deserves a Place in the Home Apothecary
Some herbs have incredibly specialized uses.
Calendula isn't one of them.
You can turn it into infused oil.
Make a salve.
Add it to soap.
Use calendula oil in a balm.
Incorporate an appropriate calendula ingredient into a lotion formulation.
Or simply grow the flowers because they're beautiful.
That versatility is what makes calendula such a wonderful herb for beginners.
It's easy to understand why those little golden flowers have remained a favorite of herbalists and natural skincare makers for generations.
Continue Learning About Calendula
This article is part of our Calendula Herb Guide Series.
Continue with:
- Calendula Benefits & Uses: A Beginner's Guide to This Skin-Loving Herb
- How to Make Calendula Infused Oil at Home
- How to Grow, Harvest & Dry Calendula
- Calendula vs. Marigold: Are They the Same Thing?
Explore Related Products
Interested in incorporating CALENDULA into your daily routine? Explore our collection of handcrafted products inspired by traditional herbal practices and natural living. From soothing herbal teas to botanical body care, each product
Recommended Products & Resources
Growing your herbal knowledge is one of the best investments you can make. Whether you're planting your first herb garden, learning how to preserve your harvest, or exploring traditional herbal practices, these books and tools can help you continue your journey.
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Explore More About Calendula
Explore More Herbs
Continue building your herbal knowledge with these popular wellness guides:
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Seek appropriate medical care for significant wounds, burns, infections, allergic reactions, or persistent skin conditions.