Calendula for Skin: Why It's a Must-Have for Sensitive Skin

You're not alone if you suffer from a skin condition. Between 30-70% of people worldwide are dealing with some type of skin disease. Our skin gets exposed to triggers every day that can cause irritation, inflammation, and redness. 

Whether you're dealing with a serious skin condition or your skin is losing its radiance, you're likely looking for skin care solutions that fix your problems. Using calendula for skin might not be the first thing that comes to your mind. However, this natural, holistic ingredient is a wonderful solution for those with sensitive skin. 

Are you not sure where to get started with calendula? This guide will discuss everything you need to know about the ingredient and how to use them in your skincare routine. 

What Is Calendula?

Calendula is a flower that's part of the marigold family. Calendula flower petals have been used in medicines since the 1100s. You can find calendula natively growing in Mediterranean countries but it's grown ornamentally worldwide. 

Keep in mind that the cheerful yellow flower isn't the same marigold that you often find in your garden. There are 15 to 20 different calendula species found throughout the world. Some of the ways calendula has been used medicinally include:

• Treating stomach pain
• Menstrual cramp relief 
• Wound healing 

What Are the Compounds in Calendula?

Calendula contains high levels of certain nutrients that aid healing in the human body. These include:

• Flavonoids
• Triterpenoids
• Saponins
• Carotenoids
• Polysaccharides 

These components give calendula anti-viral, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, along with other benefits. Let's talk about some of the most popular ones. 

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are an essential nutrient that your skin needs. The benefits of carotenoids include:

• Stimulating collagen production 
• Decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and age spots 
• Smooth and soften skin 
• Improve skin hydration 

They're an effective tool when fighting against signs of premature aging caused by hormones, UV rays, and acne. Calendula contains over 19 types of carotenoids, making it a great choice for skin care. 

Saponins

Saponins are part of plant-based food items, like grains, yams, quinoa, and, of course, calendula. If you mix saponins with water, the solution will foam and make suds. As a result, you often find saponins in various natural skincare items.

The immune-boosting and antibacterial properties of saponins protect your skin against UV damage. It also has antiseptic properties that are effective in reducing the appearance of acne. 

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are found naturally in various vegetables and fruit. There are six kinds of flavonoids and your body breaks them down in different ways. 

A great thing about flavonoids is that they're high in antioxidants. They help your body regulate cellular activity. They also combat oxidative stress that might affect your body from everyday stressors and toxins. 

There are a lot of things that cause inflammation of the skin, like germs, irritants, and allergens. Flavonoids get your body to reject these harmful substances, reducing any external symptoms you might experience. 

What Makes Calendula Good for Your Skin?

Calendula is beneficial for all types of skin, not just sensitive ones. Let's talk about how calendula can improve your skin, no matter your skin type. 

Dehydrated Skin

Your skin will start producing more oil if it's dehydrated. Your body does this to keep the skin lubricated while attempting to boost its moisture barrier. 

Many people think that dehydrated skin is dry skin because of its conflicting systems. Since your skin will look dry, you might be tempted to apply additional oil to it. Calendula is an effective product for balancing your skin's oil production. 

Sensitive Skin 

Sensitive skin can get easily inflamed or dried out. You need to apply skin-supporting products to it. 

People with sensitive skin also deal with dehydrated and excessively oily skin. These two skin conditions often go hand in hand because, as we mentioned, dehydrated skin is often really oily. 

Calendula is good to use for sensitive skin since it tackles all of its symptoms. It's also safe to use with other products, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. 

Oily Skin

Oily skin often needs to get moisturized and balanced. Calendula addresses those problems, in addition to removing bacteria and dirt that might be causing inflammation. 

Mature Skin

Your skin becomes more brittle and thinner as you get older. It can't produce oil and retain water as younger skin can. Mature skin is also more susceptible to getting damaged by outside elements. 

Calendula can help mature skin retain water unlike other skincare products can. It can also replenish the healthy lipids in mature skin, helping support it after it's been damaged. 

What Are the Benefits of Calendula?

Incorporating calendula into your skincare routine can provide you with countless benefits. The herb is a major asset for those suffering from sensitive or acne-prone skin. 

Eliminates Free Radicals 

Free radicals are harmful molecules that can damage your skin. Some of the ways they can do that are by making your skin look more aged than it is. Some of the places you can find free radicals include:

• Air pollution
• Tobacco smoke
• Radon 
• Viruses
• Medical radiation 
• Ultraviolet radiation 

Free radicals can result in age spots, sagging skin, and wrinkles. Calendula is effective in combating free radicals because of its antioxidant properties. It neutralizes the free radicals and any symptoms they might be causing. 

Gentle for All Skin Types 

Calendula is an ingredient you should be looking for when shopping for sensitive skincare products. The flower has restorative properties that can give your skin cells the boost they need to start producing more healthy cells. It can also hydrate dull, dry skin. 

Dry or cracked skin might be uncomfortable for those with psoriasis or eczema. The healing and moisturizing properties of calendula can penetrate the deepest layers of your skin. It can fight infections that might be present, speeding up the healing process. 

Reduces Signs of Sensitive Skin 

Calendula can reduce signs of irritation on your skin. That's because calendula can reduce how much moisture your skin loses each day. Your skin can hydrate itself while building up protection against potential irritants in the atmosphere. 

Improves Immune and Digestive Systems 

Calendula isn't effective for healing the external parts of your body. It can also soothe internal maladies. This includes:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Heartburn
• Ulcers

The nutrients in calendula work to repair your gut wall while relieving any unpleasant side effects you might be experiencing. Calendula can also help combat the common cold or flu by strengthening your immune system. That's because the ingredient is antimicrobial, meaning it can kill or slow infections so they don't continue to spread. 

Decrease the Appearance of Scars

Calendula can increase your blood flow to an injury, speeding up the healing process. It can also boost the production of healthy tissue. The herb soothes and softens the skin, increasing your immune response which can decrease the appearance of scars. 

Ways to Use Calendula for Your Skin

Calendula is typically used in skincare products as an oil. Calendula extract should always be applied with a carrier oil or another substance, such as:

• Shea butter
• Coconut or jojoba oil
• Beeswax
• Petroleum 

There are multiple ways you can use calendula to improve your skin. 

Moisturizer 

Moisturizer with calendula can easily absorb into your skin without leaving behind a greasy residue. You can massage calendula extract diluted with carrier oil into your skin in the evening or the morning. Another option is to look for a moisturizer that includes calendula as an ingredient. 

Makeup Remover

Many makeup removers contain harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin. Dab a cotton ball or pad with a calendula mixture. It's effective at removing waterproof makeup on all skin types. 

Body Scrub

Body scrubs are a wonderful way to exfoliate your skin, removing impurities and dead skin. You'll be left with clearer, smoother skin that's hydrated and refreshed. Our body scrub includes calendula extract and nourishing plant oils perfect for all skin types.

Healing Cream or Ointment 

You can mix calendula oil with various things to create a homemade healing ointment. Some of the base ingredients you can experiment with include:

• Beeswax
• Cocoa butter
• Shea butter

Rub the balm into the affected area twice a day until it's healed. 

Does Calendula Have Any Side Effects?

As we mentioned earlier, calendula is an herb. You shouldn't use calendula if you're allergic to any of the following:

• Daisies
• Marigold
• Ragweed
• Plants in the Compositae/Asteraceae family

Using skincare products with calendula could cause an allergic reaction. Like with any new product you introduce to your daily routine, you should try it on a small patch of skin first. Make sure the skin is in a spot that people can't easily see. 

Calendula for Skin Should Be Part of Your Daily Routine

Using calendula for skin might be the best choice you can make for your sensitive skin. The herb has been used for hundreds of years for a reason. Explore various skin products that include calendula or make your concoction at home. 

Hebe Botanica carries a wide selection of plant-based and holistic products. All of our items are 100% cruelty-free. Shop our online store to find candles, luxurious bath items, and skincare products.