Calendula cream recipe: you'll love it!

This post was originally published in Greek in August 2007. The reason for this article was the high price of the calendula creams sold by strong brands of natural cosmetics. Since I consider this cream as an all-time classic preparation, ideal for after-sun usage, suitable for all skin types and especially the sensitive ones, I decided to share my all natural calendula cream recipe. The herbal oils and extracts as well as the active ingredients included in this recipe will make a soothing, nourishing & protective cream. There you go!

Calendula cream recipe 

Calendula (pot marigold) is considered as a super herb that has excellent healing and cosmetic properties. To make a calendula cream it is necessary to prepare first calendula infused olive oil In order to accentuate the soothing character of this recipe I also used chamomile infused almond oil. You can read how to make herbal tinctures & infused oils in this link. Ingredients are measured with measuring cups (1 cup=250 ml) or measuring spoons (1 tbsp=15 ml, 1 tsp=5ml).

Oil phase
• 1 tsp cocoa butter or lanolin 
• 2 tsps shea butter
• ½ tsp evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) oil
• 2 tbsps calendula infused olive oil
• 2 tbsps chamomile infused almond oil 

Emulsifiers 

• 1 tbsp grated beeswax or soy wax
• ½ tsp liquid lecithin 
• 2 tsps stearic acid

Water phase
• 2 tbsps aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp  calendula glycerin extract 
• 1 tsp . chamomile glycerin extract 
• ¼ cup (62.5ml) strong chamomile tea or hydrosol 

Active ingredients 
• 10 drops vitamin Ε
• 5 drops vitamin Α
• ½ tsp  d-panthenol (provitamin Β5)
• 1/8 tsp. ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
• ¼  tsp allantoin
• 15 drops of natural preservative

Essential oils
• 15 drops lavender
• 5 drops chamomile
• 5 drops carrot
• 5 drops ylang ylang

et la voila!

• Chemically, lanolin is a complex mixture of esters, fatty acids and alcohols derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep. Readily absorbed by skin, lanolin resembles skin’s own sebum. It is highly emollient and an effective moisturiser. It creates a protective film over the skin but allows to breathe. It has a fatty texture and it can absorb an amount of water equal to two times its volume supporting the emuslification of skin care preparations. In this recipe it can replace cocoa butter.
• To make the calendula cream follow the step by step tutorial in this link: how to make an all natural cream 
• The total oil phase should be equal to ¼ of a measuring cup (=62.5 ml). In order to correctly meausure the oils, wait until cocoa butter or lanolin ans shea butter melt and then add the liquid oils.  
• Allantoin is a white odorless powder. It is naturally found in the roots and leaves of comfrey (symphytum officinale) plant or it can be synthetically produced. It protects, soothes, hydrates and rejuvenates the skin. It will be added to the water phase of the recipe.
• Vitamins Ε & Α are oil-soluble and will be added to the oil phase when the temperature is under 35 C(95F).
• Vitamin C & d-panthenol are water soluble and will be added to the water phase when the temperature is under 35 C(95F).
• I don't think I have to expain why you should try this cream. The selection, the combination and the synergy of oils, extracts and active ingredients result to a fabulous cream, suitable for babies, for all skin types, for body or face, suitable for you! Use a small quantity each time. 
• As regards costing, I leave it to you. Make your calculation and you'll be surprised. :)