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Homeopathic herbalist and natural skincare experts refer to Calendula as “mother to the skin”. It’s soothing, comforting, and healing properties outweigh many natural remedies because it seems to treat so many skin conditions from mild insect bites to severe acne breakouts and it also abundant in nature. Calendula skin benefits are reaped from several plants-the pot marigold, ruddles, common marigold, or Scotch marigold.
Calendula skin benefits have been a part of human civilizations for likely thousands of years but it’s medicinal use and application can be traced for centuries. Ancient Romans and other Mediterranean civilizations were well acquainted with the plants but it wasn’t long before it’s popularity became global.
Calendula remains a popular plant used in all sorts of naturopathic remedies including:
- To clear breakouts, stubborn zits, and acne
- Promote healing of minor wounds, scrapes, and cuts
- Relieve eczema and irritated skin
- Soothe sunburn
- Treat cold sores, chapped lips, and dry skin
- Natural astringent uses
- To add a sunshiney color to other natural recipes-edible or topical
Here’s a little more on how calendula is not only a healing herb but a naturally beautifying botanical that could change how you approach your skincare.
Calendula Skin Benefits
The skin is its best when it’s healthy. Conventional skincare products boast of synthetic cures to aging, wrinkles, acne, and redness. But these man-made products aren’t going to provide lasting results, often come with the risk of harming your once its chemical-containing ingredients are absorbed and metabolized, and they rely on marketing ploys to pull you in.
Calendula skin benefits are clean, meant for all skin types, and are significantly safer and more affordable than most skincare products. And with perks like the following, how could you resist?
Antiaging
Flavanoids found in calendula essential oil help your skin metabolize collagen (1) and improve cell turnover for a more youthful appearance. Regular use of calendula can result in reduced visibility of fine lines and wrinkles that occur around the eyes, mouth, and neck.
Deep Hydration
Calendula aids in sustaining soft, smooth, and hydrated skin. Calendula promotes collagen production, even more than improving elasticity, collagen is an essential protein that creates a protective layer locking moisture in deep beneath the surface.
Calendula skin benefits are suitable for chronic dryness and sensitive skin types who find conventional creams and ointments irritating.
Sooth Acne and Diminish Scarring
Calendula based oils and cleansers have proven beneficial for treating and preventing acne flareups. Calendula is a natural and gentle antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial-forming a small army that will attack stubborn zits and breakouts.
Manage Chronic Skin Ailments
Often considered an all-purpose herb, it’s hard to pinpoint what calendula can’t do for nearly any skin type. From relieving diaper rash on babies to cystic acne in teens relieving dad of his run-in with poison ivy, and becoming your go-to antiaging botanical-calendula skin benefits are universal.
How to Use Calendula On Your Skin
Calendula skin benefits can be enjoyed through a variety of preparations. There’s salves, oils, ointments, creams, gels, lotions, and sprays-all of which you make right at home. Here’s my favorite.
DIY Calendula Oil & Salve
Calendula infused oils and salves may be among the most popular herbal-infused topical applications for soothing and repairing skin. To make the most of the Calendula skin benefits covered in this condensed guide, apply your DIY calendula oil or salve daily. Common and beneficial application including:
- A massage oil that reduces aches and pains
- Blend with shea butter and essential oils for a daily lotion
- Spot treatment for scars and stubborn pimples
- Relieve rashes from friction or sports (great to keep in the gym bag or locker)
- Fast relief for skin flare-ups
- Keep in the first aid for mild burns and insect bites
DIY calendula oil and salve begins with thoroughly drying the calendula. Any moisture remaining from the fresh plant will result in rancid oil and salve.
Fill a clean and dry jar about 2/3rds with dried calendula, cover with a neutral oil like olive, jojoba, perilla, almond, or avocado. Let this sit for 4-6 weeks in the cabinet or for an “instant” infusion, place dry calendula in a crockpot on low heat with the oil, and let it steep for 24 hours the strain completely.
To turn the calendula-infused oil into a salve, use a 1 to 8 ratio of oil to beeswax (by weight) to make a dreamy salve consistency. A typical batch can be 8 ounces of infused oil and 1 ounce of beeswax. Using a double-boiler, gently melt the two together and pour into salve tins that commonly hold 2 ounces. Allow the salve to cool and thicken then apply as desired.
Simple Calendula Spray
Calendula spray can serve as a natural toner to the face. Regular use can diminish redness, soothe sunburn, and be as healing as a salve or balm might be. The only difference is the application may not be as concentrated as the previous preparation but when stored in the fridge can be twice as cooling.
Simply steep dried calendula in warm water as if making tea. Add a few droplets of skin-friendly essential oils, store in a small spray bottle, let chill, and apply regularly.
Lather, dab, rub, or spritz your new favorite herbal infused goodies as needed to experience abundant calendula skin benefits.
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