Alright, say it with me: kah-len-juh-luh. Calendula! Rolls off the tongue perfectly.
This flower is rocking the world, and soon to be your world too. A do-it-all plant, there’s room for it in every area of your life. It’s one of those rare ingredients that pairs supremely well with sensitive skin and can be used for practically everything. Well, expect to find your keys.
What is Calendula?
Calendula officinalis (if we’re being scientific), also known as the pot marigold, is a plant within the daisy (Asteraceae) family. It’s native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, although it can now be found around the world. Their daisy-like flowers make a beautiful bold statement in any garden or salad bowl — yes the petals are 100% edible. However, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should generally avoid calendula since not enough is known to be sure it’s safe.
Calendula is either bright orange or yellow. This is why organic products with calendula may vary in colour because it depends on the petals available.
What’s all the hype about?
Well, it’s not just a pretty petal and neither is it a recent discovery. For centuries now, many cultures and traditions have been using this flower for culinary and medicinal purposes. Calendula is so powerful that it has the ability to reverse a range of skin problems and accelerates the healing of wounds. It gets rid of dryness, dullness, irritation, and redness. It explains why everyone, including commercial beauty brands, is obsessed with it.
5 Benefits of calendula
The benefits of calendula are plentiful and offer a little something for everyone’s skin.
1. Helps with inflammation
Blame it on the inflammation!
Soap made with plant based oils and without palm oil, will naturally produce plant based glycerin. Here’s the catch: Glycerine added to vegan friendly Skin issues as a result of inflammation can be uber frustrating. Calendula has a good track record when it comes to calming psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, and even diaper rash.
Calendula flower’s potent dose of flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids prevent your body from releasing histamines. This then decreases the symptoms your body experiences such as redness, itchiness, or dryness when it has an inflammatory immune response from a trigger in the environment, like dust or toxins. And because calendula is so gentle, it won’t dry your skin out when you use it to help fight breakouts and acne.
2. Keeps you moisturised
Dry skin often wreaks havoc.
But with the essential fatty acids (like the linoleic acid) found in calendula oil or extract, your skin won’t know what havoc is. These essential fatty acids give your skin cells the ability to absorb nutrients and hold onto water longer. Music to the ears if you have sensitive skin. Calendula oil is light in texture, which means that it gets easily absorbed into the skin and can travel to the deepest layer to moisturise and heal.
When using products with calendula, you’ll find that your skin will look smoother, more supple, and more nourished. When signs of aging start creeping into our lives, this is good news.
3. Acts as a shield for your skin
Thankful for the flavonoids…
Earlier on we spoke about how flavonoids in calendula help soothe the skin. Well, it ALSO functions as a protector. They function as a powerful antioxidant — and this is important because antioxidants protect your skin against free radical damage. Free radicals are not great.They’re unstable, destructive molecules. Basically, they’re constantly in search of a missing electron, hence them being unstable. When free radicals steal an electron from other molecules, it leaves these other molecules unstable in return. Not a very loving relationship.
While most of us are willing to embrace age, we can still all agree that premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles are what we’re trying to minimise. This makes calendula an excellent botanical for eliminating these horrible free radicals.
4. Heals your skin like no other
For hundreds of years, calendula has been used for healing wounds.
Because of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, it’s perfect for treating small wounds and rashes. The healing properties come from the fact that calendula is able to increase blood flow and oxygen to the skin. This means more nutrition. And more nutrition helps your skin to function better.
Its antiseptic powers help prevent and eradicate the bacteria that causes acne, so if you’re a sufferer, then we’re almost certain you’re happy to be reading this.
5. Contributes to firmer skin
Plump it up, please.
The nourishment that calendula gives skin helps to plump your skin’s surface and gives it a tighter, firmer look. Calendula has shown, through studies, that it has the ability to stimulate and increase collagen. The bright orange color in calendula comes from vitamin A, which is a natural form of retinol that helps reduce wrinkles, increase cell turnover, and stimulate collagen production.
Calendula can also decrease melanin in the skin to reduce age spots and brighten the complexion of your skin.
Healthier skin unlocked
There’s so much to gain and nothing to lose when using all-natural, chemical-free products. Improving your skin’s feel and appearance is just around the corner.
Keen to try some calendula products?
Visit our online store and learn more about our luxurious Calendula Cream Soap Bar, Calendula Scrub, Calendula Triple Butter Face Bar, and Calendula Fresh Shampoo Bar.