Homemade Calendula Salve Recipe
If you love making herbal salves with natural ingredients, this homemade calendula salve is one of the easiest and most soothing recipes to keep on hand. Made with house infused organic calendula oil, organic beeswax, and nourishing shea butter, this natural skin salve is wonderful for dry skin, sensitive skin, rough elbows, dry hands, diaper rash, razor burn, bug bites, insect bites, cradle cap, and other minor skin irritations.
This calendula salve recipe for skin is rich, deeply moisturizing, and simple enough for beginners. I especially love using extra virgin organic olive oil as the base oil because it creates a gentle, nourishing salve that works beautifully for many skin types. I used this the other day on a bug bite that was really irritating my skin. Immediately after applying this salve, the itching stopped and the redness went away. It really is so healing.
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Calendula officinalis has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb thanks to its antibacterial properties and its ability to support healing of the skin. There’s a good reason calendula remains one of the most popular herbs used in personal care products and regular beauty products today.
Whether you’re making small batches for your family or creating a new product for your handmade shop, this best calendula salve recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.
Calendula Benefits for Skin
Calendula is often called “calendula – healing” in the herbal world because of its soothing and restorative properties. This bright orange flower is known for helping calm irritated skin while supporting cell repair and hydration.
Some of the most popular calendula benefits include:
- Helping soothe dry skin and dry hands
- Supporting healing of the skin after minor irritation
- Providing a protective barrier against environmental dryness
- Calming sensitive skin
- Soothing bug bites and insect bites
- Helping with diaper rash and cradle cap
- Supporting irritated skin after shaving or razor burn
- Adding moisture to rough elbows and cracked areas
Calendula is often infused into carrier oil to create herbal salves, balms, and other natural skin care products.
Homemade Calendula Oil Recipe From Flowers
Before making this calendula salve recipe beeswax blend, you’ll first need calendula-infused oil. I personally use organic calendula flowers and extra virgin organic olive oil for my infused oil. Here is my full tutorial on how to make Calendula infused oil. It is also summarized here.
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic calendula flower petals
- Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil or another carrier oil (other options include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or organic sunflower oil)
Instructions
- Fill a clean glass jar about halfway with dried organic calendula flowers.
- Pour organic olive oil over the flowers until fully covered.
- Stir gently to release any trapped air bubbles.
- Seal the jar and place it in a dry place out of direct sunlight for 4–6 weeks. (refer to my blog post for a quick method)
- Shake gently every few days.
- Strain through cheesecloth and store the finished oil in a clean glass jar.
This calendula salve recipe from flowers creates a beautiful golden oil that can be used in many herbal salves and natural skincare recipes such as Tallow Balm or Tallow Diaper Rash Cream
Calendula Salve Recipe
This homemade calendula salve is deeply nourishing and incredibly versatile. The final result is a rich salve that melts beautifully into the skin without feeling overly greasy.
Ingredient List
- 1 cup house infused calendula oil (refer to my recipe)
- 1 ounce beeswax (3 tbsp if using beeswax pellets)
- 1 tablespoon organic shea butter (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vitamin e oil (optional)
- 4-6 drops of essential oil (optional)
How to Make Calendula Salve
1. Set Up Your Double Boiler
Fill a small saucepan with several inches of water and place it over low heat.
Place a double boiler or heat-safe glass bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom does not touch the water.
2. Add the ingredients to the bowl and melt over low heat
Once the water has come to a simmer, add your calendula infused olive oil, beeswax, and organic shea butter (if using) to the bowl of the double boiler and place it over the heat.
Allow the beeswax and shea butter to melt into the olive oil over a low heat. Ensuring the oil stays at a temperature below 140-160F, to preserve the beneficial compounds of the olive oil.
3. Remove from the heat & add the vitamin E oil
Remove your oils from the heat and then add in your vitamin e oil and your essential oils (if using). Give it a brief stir just to combine the oils.
If you’re using essential oils some of the best options are lavendar for soothing, Chamomile for calming skin irritations, and Tea Tree for antibacterial properties
4. Carefully pour into tins or jars
Carefully pour your salve into small glass jars or tins. Once your salve begins to cool off, it will harden pretty quickly so you don’t want to wait too long to transfer the salve to its final container. However, allow the salve to cool completely before placing the lid on.
The finished product should be smooth, creamy, and easy to spread in a thick layer over dry or irritated areas.
How to Use Calendula Salve
For external use only.
Apply a small amount to areas of irritated skin as needed. This natural skin salve may be helpful for:
- bug bites
- insect bites
- diaper rash
- cradle cap
- razor burn
- rough elbows
- dry hands
- dry skin
- minor skin irritations
Because this calendula salve recipe uses organic ingredients and gentle carrier oils, it’s often well tolerated by young children and those with sensitive skin.
Optional Ingredient Variations
One added bonus of making your own calendula salve recipe is that you can fully customize it.
For Extra Nourishment
Add more organic shea butter or organic avocado oil for very dry skin.
For a Firmer Salve
Increase the beeswax slightly or use organic candelilla wax instead of beeswax for a vegan version.
For Lightweight Moisture
Swap part of the olive oil for sweet almond oil or organic sunflower oil.
For a More Therapeutic Blend
Add therapeutic organic essential oils like lavender essential oil or tea tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is calendula ok for rosacea?
Calendula is often considered gentle enough for sensitive skin and may help calm redness and irritation associated with rosacea. However, everyone’s skin is different, so it’s always a good idea to patch test first.
Can I put calendula on eczema?
Many people use calendula salve on eczema-prone skin because of its soothing and moisturizing properties. The nourishing oils and butters may help support dry, irritated skin and provide a protective barrier.
What is the best carrier oil for calendula salve?
Organic olive oil is one of the best carrier oils for calendula salve because it is deeply nourishing and easy to work with. Other popular options include sweet almond oil, organic jojoba oil, organic sunflower oil, and organic avocado oil.
What pairs well with calendula?
Calendula pairs beautifully with lavender essential oil, tea tree, chamomile, and other therapeutic organic essential oils commonly used in herbal salves and natural skincare recipes.
Does calendula speed up healing?
Calendula has long been valued as a medicinal herb that may support healing of the skin. Its soothing and antibacterial properties make it popular for minor skin irritations and dry or damaged skin.
How long is my calendula salve good for?
Your calendula salve will typically last 6–8 months when stored properly in a cool, dry place. Using vitamin e oil can help naturally extend the shelf life.
Final Thoughts
This homemade calendula salve is one of my favorite natural skincare recipes because it’s simple, versatile, and made with nourishing organic ingredients. From dry skin and dry hands to bug bites, diaper rash, and other skin irritations, this natural skin salve is a wonderful addition to any herbal wellness cabinet.
I love that this calendula salve recipe can easily be customized with different plant oils, butters, and therapeutic organic essential oils depending on your skin type and personal preferences. Whether you use organic olive oil, sweet almond oil, or organic jojoba oil, the final result is a deeply moisturizing salve that helps soothe and protect irritated skin.
More Reader Favorite Natural Skincare Recipes
If you love this recipe then check out some of my other tallow skincare recipes:
- Tallow Lip Balm Recipe
- Homemade Tallow Diaper Rash Cream
- Calendula Infused Oil
- Tallow Face Cream Recipe
If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @wholisticmandy on Instagram. Your reviews help support this blog and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.
Calendula Salve
Ingredients
- 1 cup infused calendula oil refer to recipe
- 1 ounce beeswax pellets 3 tbsp
- 2 tbsp organic shea butter optional – if you add shea butter use 3 tbsp of beeswax
- 1 tsp vitamin e oil optional
- 4-6 drops essential oils optional – lavendar, chamomile or tea tree are good options
Instructions
- Set up your double boiler by filling a small saucepan with severl inches of water and placing it over low heat. Then, place a double boiler or heat-safe glass bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom does not touch the water.
- Once the water has come to a simmer, add your calendula infused olive oil, beeswax, and organic shea butter (if using) to the bowl of the double boiler and place it over the heat. Allow the beeswax and shea butter to melt into the olive oil over a low heat. Ensuring the oil stays at a temperature below 140-160F, to preserve the beneficial compounds of the olive oil.1 cup infused calendula oil, 1 ounce beeswax pellets, 2 tbsp organic shea butter
- Remove your oils from the heat and then add in your vitamin e oil and your essential oils (if using). Give it a brief stir just to combine the oils. If you're using essential oils some of the best options are lavendar for soothing, Chamomile for calming skin irritations, and Tea Tree for antibacterial properties1 tsp vitamin e oil, 4-6 drops essential oils
- Carefully pour your salve into small glass jars or tins. Once your salve begins to cool off, it will harden pretty quickly. So it is important to transfer it into it's final container before it begins to harden. However, allow the salve to cool completely before placing the lid on. The finished product should be smooth, creamy, and easy to spread in a thick layer over dry or irritated areas.
