How to Make Calendula Oil (Easy Calendula Infused Oil Recipe)

Come learn how to make calendula oil with our simple step-by-step recipe. It’s exceptionally easy and affordable to do! All you need is oil, dry calendula flowers, and a little time! Then you can use your super-soothing homemade calendula oil on its own, or as an ingredient in other DIY natural skincare recipes like salve, soap, or lotion.

This guide also explores the healing benefits of calendula oil and 7 ways to use it. We’ve been making calendula infused oil for nearly 10 years, so I have plenty of tips on how to make the most luxurious and nourishing oil possible. In fact, calendula is one of my favorite all-time herbs to grow!

Note: This post was originally published in October 2019 but has been significantly updated.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products for your convenience, such as to items on Amazon. Homestead and Chill gains a small commission from purchases made through those links, at no additional cost to you.

What is Calendula Oil?

Calendula oil is made by soaking or infusing dry calendula flowers in a carrier oil of choice (such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil) for several weeks or longer.

As they steep, the natural healing resins and other beneficial compounds found in calendula flowers are drawn out and into the surrounding oil. The result is a highly therapeutic oil that can be used to soothe a wide variety of skin issues including eczema, rashes, and more. Learn more about the benefits and uses of calendula oil below!

Note that calendula is sometimes referred to as “pot marigold” – but don’t confuse it with true marigolds, such as french marigolds! They’re distinctly different, and not nearly as medicinal in nature.

Benefits of Calendula Oil

Calendula officinalis is a key ingredient in many natural skin care products, and for a good reason! The medicinal resins found in calendula promote cell repair and growth (e.g. wound healing) and have proven natural antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

When used topically, calendula can soothe, heal, or otherwise treat a huge array of skin conditions including rashes, sunburn, swelling, eczema, acne, stings, bites, wounds, burns, scrapes, psoriasis, scars, cold sores and more.

In her book Medicinal Herbs, A Beginner’s Guide, expert Rosemary Gladstar suggests using calendula oil or salve on babies to safely soothe cradle cap, diaper rash, or other skin irritations. It also calms my skin after shaving, to prevent or treat razor burn.

It’s hard to put into words just how magical this herb is… and it really works! Our organic calendula salve is the most popular item in our shop; its helped thousands of people heal stubborn skin issues, even when prescription medications did not!

EXPERT TIP: Instead of using petals alone, we prefer to make calendula oil using whole dried calendula flower heads – because the base of the flower actually has the most medicinal resin, not the petals!

Supplies Needed

• Dried calendula flowers or petals, enough to fill your chosen jar or container at least two-thirds full. You can use homegrown or store-bought dried calendula, as long as it’s 100% dry. If the flowers are not fully dry, the leftover moisture can cause the calendula oil to grow mold or spoil! Using dry flowers also helps to extract the maximum essential oils possible. See four ways to dry fresh herbs here.
  
  
• Carrier oil of choice – such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. You’ll need about the same volume of oil as the size container you select. See more information about choosing the best carrier oil below.
  
  
• A glass jar or other container with a lid. Something like a 1/2 pint jar would be great if you only need a small amount. Yet if you intend to make calendula salve or other homemade body care products, I recommend using at least a pint jar or more.
  
  
• A fine mesh strainer, sieve, and/or organic cheesecloth
  
  
• Optional: organic essential oils to lightly scent it

EXPERT TIP: To create the most therapeutic calendula oil possible, harvest young fresh flowers instead of using older, fading blooms. The flowers should also be dehydrated on very low heat to preserve the maximum beneficial compounds. Don’t miss our guide on how to grow and harvest calendula flowers – including tips on how to dry it.

Best Carrier Oils to Make Calendula Oil

Popular carrier oils used to make calendula oil include extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil, and more. No matter what you choose, I highly suggest using a high-quality, unrefined, cold-pressed oil. Certified organic is all the better. The goal is to create a healing medicinal oil after all! 

If you’re making calendula oil primarily for topical use, choose a carrier oil that’s compatible and beneficial for your skin type (e.g. consider comedogenic ratings). Organic jojoba oil is my personal favorite, especially for my face! We also sometimes blend two types of oils, such as almond and jojoba oil.

LEARN MORE: Visit our guide on the best 11 Carrier Oil Options for Skin Care, Salves and Infusions to learn more about the unique benefits and properties of each.

Instructions

1) Infuse

• Fill a glass container at least three-quarters full of dried calendula flowers or petals.
  
  
• Pour your carrier oil of choice over the calendula, filling the container enough so that all the flowers can be fully submerged and move freely in the oil. Add a tight-fitting lid.
  
  
• Place the jar in a moderately warm location, such as near a sunny window, inside a warm cabinet, or on top of a warm appliance. While some herbalists may have a preference, it doesn’t make much of a difference if the jar is stored in the dark or light – but a little warmth does help it infuse better!

2) Wait

• Allow the calendula oil to to infuse for at least two weeks* or up to 1 month (or longer) for the best results and maximum extraction possible.
  
  
• If possible, set the jar somewhere you’ll remember to stop by and gently shake it on occasion to stir things up.

*I much prefer this slow, passive infusion process (since many therapeutic compounds can be destroyed by heat) but it’s also possible to gently heat calendula and oil on the stove to get same-day results. Learn more in this separate guide on how to make herb infused oil.

3) Strain

• When the time is up, strain the calendula flowers and reserve the oil.
  
  
• We usually do this by positioning a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and pouring it all through. Let it sit to fully drip and drain for at least 15 minutes.
  
  
• I like to line our strainer with cheesecloth or a reusable nut milk bag for extra-fine filtration. That way, I can also wring out the cloth or bag of calendula to squeeze out every bit of oil possible. (I’ve also lined a canning funnel with cheesecloth over a clean jar, as shown in the photos.)
  
  
• Finally, pour the strained oil into a clean jar for storage. If you wash and re-use the same jar, be sure it’s fully dry before storing the oil in it!
  
  
• Optional: Since calendula oil has a very mild earthy aroma, feel free to add a few drops of your favorite organic essential oils to lightly scent it. I especially enjoy the addition of chamomile and lavender essential oil.
  

Storage and Shelf Life

Store the finished calendula oil in a clean glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the container in a dry, cool, dark location. You can also store calendula oil in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.

The shelf life of homemade calendula oil varies and depends on the type of carrier oil (check the bottle) and condition of flowers used. Some oils are more prone to becoming rancid faster than others. Most have an average shelf life of about 1 year. (Another reason I love jojoba oil: it’s good for up to 5 years!)

7 Ways to Use Calendula Oil

1. As a soothing facial moisturizer to help with redness, dry skin, acne, and more. A little goes a long way! You’ll only need a few drops.
   
   
2. As an ingredient in other homemade skincare products. Many natural body care recipes call for oil, such as in homemade whipped body butter, lotion, salve, soap, and more! See our popular homemade calendula salve recipe here. For more ideas, I highly recommend this organic body care recipe book.
   
   
3. As a luxurious and nourishing massage oil.
   
   
4. Other topical applications: You can use calendula oil directly on other parts of your body as a general moisturizer, on bug bites, sunburns, eczema, stings, rashes, scars, scrapes, and more!
   
   
5. As a hair treatment to condition hair, moisturize your scalp, and potentially thicken hair. Coconut oil, olive oil, and argan oil are especially popular for deep moisturizing hair treatments. Simply apply an even coat of oil to your hair, massage it into your scalp, pin your hair up away from your clothes, and allow it to sit for anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours. Then use shampoo as usual to wash away the oil.
   
   
6. To remove makeup. Calendula oil makes a great natural makeup remover! Oil naturally draws out impurities, while the calendula soothes redness, inflammation, and targets acne. Avoid contact with sensitive areas around your eyes.
   
   
7. Give it as a gift. Make a bigger batch and divvy it up into cute little bottles or jars to share with friends and family. Include a note or label to share the many ways to use it, or direct them here! See this list of my favorite 30+ DIY gift ideas, including mason jar gifts, food, sustainable crafts and more.

So beautiful yet simple.

So, what do you think? Are you excited to go make your own calendula oil? If you found this post useful, please leave a review below – and feel free to ask questions. Thank you for tuning in, and happy infusing!

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