Transform Your Winter Skin with Nourishing Calendula Lotion

Calendula lotion in a clear glass jar sitting on a bed of calendula blossoms

If you suffer from dry skin in the winter, whip up a batch of this nourishing Calendula Lotion. Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, which means it's helpful for healing wounds, soothing eczema, and treating damaged skin. I grow Calendula during the summer, so I use fresh flowering heads to make a solar-infused oil. However, you can also use dried calendula flowers and make an infused oil on your stove-top (see directions below).

Calendula Lotion Recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup calendula infused oil

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 1 oz beeswax

• 3/4 cup distilled water

• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel

• 1 teaspoon Vitamin E

• Optional: Essential oils of your choice

  
  

Directions

• If you don't have calendula-infused oil on hand, use this stove-top method. Place dried calendula blossoms in a mason jar (about 1/2 way); and pour enough olive oil to cover the calendula blossoms by an inch. Screw the lid on the jar, but not tight.

  Place the jar of calendula and olive oil in a medium-sized pot that's filled 1/2 way with water. Next, heat on low for 4-6 hours (periodically check the water level to make sure that doesn't evaporate). Remove the jar from the double boiler and strain, through cheesecloth, into a clean jar. You now have a calendula-infused oil.

• In a double boiler, heat calendula infused oil, coconut oil, and beeswax over low heat until everything is melted.

• Pour oils into a blender, and set aside to cool down (you can place the blender in the refrigerator to let it cool faster).

• In a glass measuring cup, stir together the distilled water and aloe vera gel and set that aside.

• When the oils have cooled to room temperature, add in the vitamin E and turn blender on high.

• Remove the cap from the blender cover and slowly pour the water mixture through the hole and blend everything together. When the mixture burps, it’s done. However, you may have to stir the lotion by hand a bit. If using essential oils, blend them into the lotion.

• Pour lotion into jars or bottles, label.

Slather this lotion onto your skin after your shower or anytime your skin feels dry.