5 Health Benefits of Calendula for Your Skin

05/20/2020 | Nature Gal Naturals

By Lisa Schlemback Goehringer, Nature Gal Naturals

Calendula is known in herbalist circles as the “mother of the skin.” It is a safe and gentle plant, possessing no known drug interactions or adverse effects for long-term use. Calendula in an oil or salve form is the perfect herb for many skin issues on the face and body and should be in everyone’s medicine cabinet in some form.

Calendula oil is a natural oil extracted from marigold flowers (Calendula officinalis). It's often used as a complementary or alternative treatment. Calendula oil has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that might make it useful in healing wounds, soothing eczema, and relieving diaper rash.

Benefits of Calendula

Eczema, Psoriasis, Aging & Dry Skin, Sunburn, Radiation Burns, Recent or Hard-to-Heal Wounds, Insect Bites, Varicose & Spider Veins.

What does calendula do for your skin?

The FDA has approved calendula for use as a spice and as an ingredient in cosmetics, soaps and shampoos, body creams, and wound treatment, both internally and topically

1. Heals Wounds

Calendula is primarily known as a healing plant because of its soothing abilities. Although a gentle herb, the healing effects derived from Calendula petals are very powerful, making it a must-have in the medicine cabinet. It is beneficial for any wound healing you may need including insect bites, bruises, blisters, cuts, and cold sores. Topical application of Calendula is used to keep wounds clean and help new tissue to grow. It is often used to help poorly healing wounds, those that are exhibiting signs of tenderness, redness, or inflammation, to correct course.

The healing herb is also effective in treating minor burns, including sunburn. It assists in sun protection and may consequently be included in sunscreen formulas for preventative care. Calendula cream, ointment, or healing balm may be applied to wounds to reduce swelling and their antimicrobial components, specifically their antifungal agents, can prevent secondary infection, leading to a quicker healing process.

2. Hydrates and Nourishes Dry Skin

Calendula has can be used to relieve many types of skin conditions that may cause dry, itchy, or irritated areas. It soothes skin experiences symptoms of eczema, dermatitis, and dandruff. By promoting the production of collagen, an essential protein for glowing skin, Calendula aids in sustaining soothed, hydrated skin. Although strong in effect, the gentleness of the herb often makes Calendula a skin care benefit that can be enjoyed even by many of those with skin sensitivities.

And who has more sensitive or delicate skin than babies? Parents tend to be careful when applying products to their babies’ rashes or irritations. But, Calendula is so safe and effective, it appears in many products for babies. As a natural remedy option, it is often preferred for prevention and treatment of rashes and irritations that babies experience like diaper rash and cradle cap.

3. Slows Development of Wrinkles

Calendula has also been found to assist in slowing the development of wrinkles. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in Calendula have been found to significantly protect against oxidative stress in human skin cells. Oxidative stress is an imbalance of damaging atoms and antioxidants. Oxidative stress plays a large role in the aging process as well as the development of several illnesses. Calendula allows it to keep skin hydrated and healthy making it a great component for daily lotions or lip balm

4. Reducing Scarring

One of the prominent Calendula benefits is its ability to reduce scarring when used to treat wounds. The Calendula properties that benefit wound healing apply to the scarring process as well. Calendula increases blood flow to the injury, promotes a speedy and healthy healing process, free of infection, and encourages growth of healthy new tissue. In the cases of skin ulcers like chicken pox and acne, the herb softens and soothes the skin, preventing inflammation, boosting the immune response, which allows wounds to heal quickly and cleanly.

5. Eczema

Calendula is popular among those with eczema, psoriasis and itchy or dry skin. Here are some reasons why calendula is so beneficial for eczema: A rich, nourishing cream for face eczema.

Aids in wound healing
Soothes itchy skin
Helps reduce scaring from scratching
Reduces topical pain
Reduces skin inflammation

And when it’s combined with nourishing oils, it’s very moisturizing as well.

🌿 Try out our Calendula Bliss Topical formulated to:

Nurture dry, damaged, chapped skin
Support skin issues related to psoriasis and eczema