Struggling with sensitive skin? Trying to quell inflamed and hormonal acne flare-ups? Perhaps you’re experiencing some redness or irritation after a laser treatment. If so, then you need to subscribe to Sofia Vergara’s and Zoe Saldana’s favorite skin-calming elixir– calendula oil.
Touted for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, calendula nixes uneven skin concerns, heals irritated skin, and helps maintains that youthful, natural glow. It can also help protect and soothe the skin for those nights when you need a bit of TLC and nourishment.
So, if this sounds like something you desperately need for your skin or general routine, here’s everything you need to know about calendula oil.
Quick Facts
Ingredients Used: Anti-inflammatory
Primary Benefits: Calms and soothes the skin
Perfect For: All skin types. However, individuals with acne, redness, or sensitive skin might benefit more
How Often Can You Use It: Provided you don’t have a reaction to products with the ingredient, you can use it o a daily basis
Works Perfectly With: Various anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe vera
Shouldn’t Be Used With: There are no known ingredients that shouldn’t be used with Calendula
What Is Calendula Oil, And What Are Its Benefits?
Calendula is a flower that is classified under the marigold family. It’s native to the northern Mediterranean countries and has been used as a skin soother for centuries.
While there are not numerous scientific studies concerning the benefits of calendula oil for the skin and hair, there are several anecdotal and potential benefits. These include:
Offers Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Fungal Properties: The calming ingredient heals wounds, soothes eczema, and relieves diaper rash. It also contains a potent compound, faradol, which studies show has a significant anti-inflammatory effect similar to indomethacin, a non-steroidal drug.
Increases Collagen Production: Studies show that calendula boosts skin health, promotes joint motion, and triggers collagen synthesis to give you that baby-smooth skin. It might also help hydrate the skin as the ingredient is loaded with fatty acids that help nourish the skin.
Protects The Skin From Free Radicals Damage; As an antioxidant, calendula oil can help neutralize free radicals thanks to its incredibly high flavonoid content. As a result, the element might help nix those fine lines and wrinkles you’ve been worried about.
Minimizes Radiation Dermatitis: Calendula can help heal the skin of individuals undergoing radiation.
How To Use It
You can use calendula oil in skincare as an oil, cream, serum, lotion, and more. Therefore, it’s really up to you to figure out how you’d want to use it in your routine. Nonetheless, many estheticians recommend using it up to two times a day for optimal results.
If you’re into DIY, you can whip up your own body butter or lip balm, but calendula shouldn’t be applied to the skin directly – it might cause further irritation. Instead, mix it with a carrier oil or butter (jojoba, shea, and beeswax) to avoid any potential irritation.
Celebrity Product Recommendations
Now that you have the lowdown on calendula, here are a few celeb-approved calendula oil recommendations:
Sofia Vergara
The Modern Family actress’s complexion is always to die for, but it’s not always as naturally camera-ready as you’d think. Sofia relies on calendula oil to help keep her skin calm (she struggles with rosacea) and look as luscious as ever.
“After I wash at night, I’ve been using a calendula oil — it’s good for sensitive skin and has really been calming my skin. It’s really oily and nice, so I put it everywhere,” Sofia revealed in an interview with US Magazine.
Her favorite go-to calendula-infused product? The GyaLabs Calendula Oil ($10).
The vegan-illuminating face oil is cruelty-free and made without parabens, synthetic oils, alcohol, additives, or added fragrance. Plus, it also contains a list of natural ingredients that help brighten, even out, and address the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
And did we mention it also comes in a silky, weightless texture? Yap! The oil is so lightweight that you can use it to hydrate dry hair without weighing it down! Adds to cart.
Lupita Nyo’ngo
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to Lupita Nyo’ngo’s skincare routine. According to her, face wash, toner, natural oils – such as calendula- and moisturizer are all she needs for the perfect skincare regimen.
“Calendula is very, very soothing and really good for healing my skin when it’s had a lot of sun exposure,” Lupita informed Vogue Japan.
Her oil of choice? The Cavin Schon Skin Moisturizer Calendula Oil ($30).
The rich oil is packed with active botanicals that work perfectly for individuals with dry, irritated, and sensitive skin. It’s also incredible for pore detoxification and contains anti-inflammatory elements that might help lessen swelling and irritation. And while it might have a slightly strong scent, many users seem to feel its healing properties outweigh that.
Pro Tip: Use it as the final step in your nighttime routine or right before SPF during the day.
Zoe Saldana
The From Scratch star revealed to Byrdie that she swears by calendula oil to moisturize her lips.
“This ointment works wonders on my lips. I buy it in Europe whenever I go or whenever anyone I know goes.”
And what’s the hush-hush ointment she swears by? The Boiron Calendula Homeopathic First Aid Ointment ($7).
The pure oil promotes the healing of skin irritations such as cuts, chapped lips, minor burns, and scrapes. It also contains a base of petroleum jelly that helps moisturize, protect and soothe the skin all day long.
Jessica Alba
Remember the time every it-girl raved about the wonders of Weleda Rich Cream? Well, turns out they weren’t wrong. According to Jessica Alba, Weleda, especially the Weleda Calendula Face Cream ($16), works brilliantly for her skin just as it does on babies!
It contains a proprietary blend of soothing ingredients such as beeswax, chamomile, and calendula oil that work to moisturize, nourish and soothe ultra-dry skin. The precious plant extracts protect the skin’s barrier and maintain moisture balance.
