Amazing Healing Benefits of Calendula for Skin and Hair

 

 

Hello and thank you for visiting.

In this blog post we would learn everything about beautiful bright calendula.  Calendula has been known for its amazing benefits in medicine and cosmetology for years.

Calendula species have been even used for cooking for a long time.  Flowers made nice addition to soups and stews, hence the name “pot marigold”.

 

What is calendula?

Calendula is a plant that has beautiful bright flowers any shades from yellow to red.  Do not confuse calendula with decorative ornamental marigolds that many people plant in their gardens. 

I am oversimplifying here, but basically there are 2 major types of calendulas (marigolds):

1. Plants in the daisy family Asteraceae.  These are edible types of plants that are used in cooking, making teas, medicine and cosmetics (Calendula officinalis).
2. Plants of the genus Tagetes – these are decorative plants only

Calendula is a unique plant that has many amazing properties: wound-healing, calming, anti-inflammatory, brightening and whitening. Now wonder this flower and its extracts are one of the major ingredients in worldwide cosmetic products.

 

 

Calendula Benefits in Cosmetics:

• Due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties calendula is a “go to” ingredient in acne and pimple treatments
• Heals wounds, brightens stretch marks and scars including acne scars
• Relieves eczema and rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory properties
• Soothes skin after sun burn, insect bites or other cosmetic procedures
• Reduces puffiness and swelling including under eye bags
• Stimulates production of collagen which is crucial in anti-aging skincare.  As a result it smooths wrinkles and prevents skin from sagging
• Lightens pigmentation and brightens dull skin tone
• Provides extreme hydration to the skin
• Protects skin from harmful UV rays
• Nourishes the skin with variety of vitamins and minerals

Who should not be using calendula

Side effects are extremely rare that is why almost everyone can use calendula containing products.

However, calendula tends to be a drying ingredient. That is why people with dry, sensitive skin should be cautious and use calendula in combination with moisturizing products.

Contraindications include individual intolerance, tendency to allergies (especially to pollen),  and open bleeding wounds.

If you are planning to make your own calendula skincare products, keep in mind that calendula can produce very rich specific smell when heated.  Fumes could be a trigger for people with asthma. So be very careful and wear a mask.

(This post contains affiliate links.  That means that if you make a purchase, I might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you).

 

There are many amazing products with calendula that you can purchase

1. Cleanser

Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash – A soap-free paraben-free face wash.  This cleanser features a creamy gel texture that creates a rich foam upon contact with water.   Cleanser helps gently and thoroughly remove dirt & oil without stripping skin.  Leaves skin refreshed & revitalized.   Ideal for normal to oily skin.

Sidmool Calendula Weak Skin Bubble Cleanser – This gentle foam contains 10% of calendula extract; it also has 12 useful ingredients.  Cleanser’s pH is 5.06 which makes it very gentle and suitable for any skin type. 

 

2. Toner

NACIFIC Natural Pacific Real Floral Toner with Calendula and Rose Water –  This calendula extract toner has calendula tincture to enhance its benefits to your skin.  As flower water and calendula extract comprises 90% of the toner, it has a potent moisturizing effect.  Perfect for all skin type, even a sensitive skin.  Papaya enzyme and malt extract removes unnecessary dead skin cells and other wastes to leave your skin smooth and youthful.

 

Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-extract Toner -Gently cleanses and refreshes facial skin without harsh synthetic drying agents Soothes and improves the feel of skin. Formulated with Calendula, Burdock Root Extract and Allantoin this toner is alcohol free, which makes it suitable for to oily skin types, including sensitive skin

 

3. Calendula Serum

Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Restorative Treatment Serum – The lightweight gel texture of this serum is quickly absorbed to comfort senstiive skin. It’s enriched with organic botanicals including Calendula, Chamomile and Echinacea Extracts to soothe and rebalance the skin. Plant-based active ingredients help to fortify and strengthen the skin’s own barrier function, and protect the complexion from environmental attack.

THE FACE SHOP Calendula Essential Moisture Serum – moisturizing and soothing serum to suit any skin type.

 

 

4. Creams and Moisturizers

THE FACE SHOP Calendula Essential Moisture Cream – very moisturizing cream that heals and restores your skin.

Bakson Calendula Cream – Antiseptic, For Cuts & Burns, Anti Roughness – Anti roughness, anti septic healing cream.This cream is excellent for open wounds, parts that will not heal, ulcers, superficial burns and scalds.  It helps promoting healing of cuts, scrapes and minor burns and heals chapped hands and lips and nasal irritation from colds.

Kiehl’s Calendula Serum Infused Water Cream – this is one of the best calendula creams out there. A weightless water cream infused with concentrated calendula serum.  Perfect for normal, oily and sensitive skin.

5. Sunscreen

Secret Nature Calendula Primer Moisturizing Sunscreen Stick SPF50+  -A primer sunscreen stick that instantly smoothes the skin surface by minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines and strongly protects the skin from the sun.

AROMATICA Calendula Non-Nano UV Protection SPF30 PA+++  –  this sunscreen has broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.  Sunscreen blocks and reflects the sun. It is silicone and oil free making it suitable for oily and combination skin.  It is suitable for babies too.   Natural formulas: natural ingredients including Calendula, Green Tea, Prganic Sheabutter and Coconut Oil help to block the sun.

Homemade Beauty Products with Calendula

 

If you prefer homemade beauty products to the commercial ones, you should not be worried:  you can easily make your own creams and lotions and enjoy benefits of this golden plant.

 

You can prepare many different products and each will address a skin issue you are trying to work on.

Calendula oil – will moisturize your skin and create a protective barrier on skin surface;

Infusion (decoction) – rejuvenate, purify and improve skin tone;

Ointments and Salves could treat some skin diseases and conditions;

Masks target specific skin issues like dehydration, hyperpigmentation, dull skin tone, wrinkles and so on;

Calendula cream is necessary in daily skin routine to provide nourishment, moisture and nutrition to the skin;

Calendula tincture is a highly concentrated herbal extract.  Tinctures usually contain alcohol.  That is why you only use them on problematic spots, not on a whole face (otherwise alcohol will dry your skin)

 

Simple rules how to use homemade products

• If you have some serious skin issue, please, always talk to your dermatologist or any other doctors first.  You would want to rule out underlying health conditions;
• Use homemade masks 2-3 times a week; apply them for 15-20 min;
• Always cleanse your face before applying masks, toners and other skin products;
• When preparing homemade products always use organic and chemical free ingredients;
• Tinctures are very concentrated products; it is better to dilute it before use with some mineral, distilled or regular water.

 

DIY Calendula Toner

This toner will suit any skin type, but it is particularly beneficial for dry and sensitive skin.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of dried calendula flowers

1 cup of water

Procedure:

1. Boil water and pour it over the flowers
2. Let brew for 40-45 min
3. Apply to clean face in the morning and before bedtime
4. Keep this toner in the fridge for a week

 

Homemade Calendula Oil

Calendula oil can be used as a first aid for minor cuts and scrapes.  It is excellent anti-inflammatory product and will help to reduce redness and inflammation on sensitive skin and eczema. 

You can also use calendula oil for lip and neck care.

You can also use calendula oil as a salad dressing; however, I personally kind of resent it. It just sounds weird for me.

You can also mix calendula oil with your favorite skincare products like lotions and creams to enhance benefits.

Ingredients:

Calendula dried petals

Oil of your choice (olive oil, almond, grapeseed; jojoba is not edible but perfect for skin)

 

Method 1 (long, no heat used)

1. Place calendula petals in a dry glass jar
2. Pour in oil of your choice to cover petals by an inch (about 2 cm)
3. Cover the jar with a lid and give your oil a good shake
4. Place your jar in a paper bag or wrap a kitchen towel around the jar; place jar in a warm place
5. Infuse oil for 4-6 weeks giving your jar a good shake once a day
6. In 4-6 weeks strain calendula oil in another glass jar
7. Store in cool, dark place

Method 2 (quick, using a double boiler)

1. Place calendula petals in a dry glass jar
2. Pour in oil of your choice to cover petals by an inch (about 2 cm)
3. Cover the jar with a lid and give your oil a good shake
4. Create a double boiler, bring water in a larger pot to boil then reduce heat right away (follow this link to learn how to make double boiler)
5. Simmer water on a low to medium heat; stir your oil from time to time
6. Allow oil to infuse for 1-2 hours (the longer the time, the more concentrated oil is)
7. Let oil cool, strain it to a glass container
8. Store in cool, dark place

Method 3 (quick, using crock pot)

1. Place calendula petals in a dry glass jar
2. Pour in oil of your choice to cover petals by an inch (about 2 cm)
3. Cover the jar with a lid and give your oil a good shake
4. Place a towel on a bottom of your crockpot
5. Place the jar on the towel, add warm water to a crock pot to cover half of the jar
6. Set crock pot to a lowest setting for 2-6 hours; you can even set it to warm setting (the longer you let your oil infuse, the more concentrated it will turn out)
7. Let oil cool and strain it to a clean glass jar
8. Store in cool, dark place

 

Homemade Whitening Neck Mask with Calendula Flowers

This mask will remove age spots and dark circles on your neck.  This mask also increases blood circulation, tightens pores and has lifting effect.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of milk or cream

1 tablespoon of dry calendula flowers

1 tablespoon of honey

1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon of baking soda

Procedure:

1. Mix all ingredients well
2. Apply to the neck for 20 minutes
3. Wash off with warm water

 

DIY Mask with Calendula for Oily Skin

This mask controls skin oil production, removes layer of dead cells and clears pores.

Ingredients:

2-3 ripe apricots

2 table spoons of dried calendula flowers (or 3 tables spoons of fresh petals)

½ cup of water

Procedure:

1. Bring water to boil and pour over calendula flowers, set aside for 30-40 minutes
2. Mash apricots either with a fork or in a blender
3. Combine calendula infusion with apricots
4. Apply mask to the face, leave for 10-15 minutes
5. Wash off with warm water

 

Very powerful lifting mask with Rice water and Calendula

Use this mask twice a week for 8 weeks and you will notice that your face counter will become tightened and lifted.  This mask also tones and nourishes your skin.

Ingredients:

½ cup of brown rice

2 table spoons of dried calendula flowers (or 3 table spoons of fresh flowers)

1 cup of water

2 table spoons of oil (grapeseed oil, jojoba, coconut, sesame oils are fine)

Procedure:

1. Pour 1 cup of water over ½ cup of raw rice, place on the stove, bring to boil.  Let   boil for 5 min and the turn heat off.
2. Remove pot from the stove
3. Strain rice water in the container (be very careful, rice water is extremely hot)
4. Pour rice water over calendula flowers and let brew for an hour
5. You will notice that as mixture cools, it will acquire a yellow tint
6. After 1 hour add 2 tablespoons of oil of your choice
7. Apply mask to your face for 20 minutes and then wash off with warm water

 

Moisturizing Cream with Calendula that also fights Acne (Calendula Tincture Salve)

This cream will create a protective barrier on the skin surface preventing moisture from escaping.  It is perfect for cold winter weather.  Calendula and tea tree oil will fight bacteria causing acne.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of dried calendula flowers

50 ml of cosmetic oil (jojoba, grapeseed, rosehip, almond, sesame oils are excellent for this cream)

20 grams of bee wax

5-10 drops of tea tree oil (or peppermint oil)

Procedure:

1. Pour oil over calendula flowers and place one pot into another creating a bain-marie (double boiler) 
2. Simmer flower-oil mixture for an hour on the lowest heat possible (this will let all the good ingredients from calendula flowers defuse into the oil)
3. Add bee wax to the mixture and let wax melt completely; stir mixture constantly
4. Add essential oil
5. Remove mixture from the heat and immediately transfer to a glass jar
6. Shelf life is 5 days; however, you can keep this cream in the fridge for up to a month

I hope you found this article interesting and useful for yourself.  Calendula is such a beautiful flower and is so beneficial and versatile in an array of preparations.

It has many benefits for our skin from treating minor burns, cuts and scars to moisturizing and anti-inflammatory.  It is an excellent herb to consider when looking for anti-acne and anti-pimple skincare routine for teenagers and people with sensitive, prone to redness and inflammation skin.

 

Please, leave us a comment and share your thoughts and questions.  Thank  you!!!

 

 

 

 

Stay beautiful!!!

In solidarity,
Nadi