Soothing Calendula Cream for Glowing Summer Skin – Make It or Grab a Jar

Why Calendula?

Calendula is my favorite, I think I can safely say that. Good for so many skin things — including helping with the effects of that big ball of warm bliss that shines down upon us. It’s anti-inflammatory, full of antioxidants, and helps to keep skin hydrated and happy.

This cream is similar to the Calendula Face Butter: soothing, hydrating, and healing for dry skin. It calms irritated skin and works well for sensitive types, making it a good choice for reddened, upset, or inflamed skin.

But calendula is also known to be brightening, and it helps protect the skin from the photo-damaging effects of the sun — making this a perfect cream for the summer months.

The addition of rose hydrosol helps hydrate the skin and allows the calendula oil to soak in deeper. The shea butter and calendula oil lock in that moisture from the hydrosol and aloe.

This recipe also includes Rosehip Seed Oil, Lavender, and Frankincense essential oils — all known to support healing from sun exposure and promote radiant, healthy skin.

How to Make the Calendula Oil

1. Fill a clean glass jar halfway with dried Calendula flowers.
2. Pour Apricot Oil (or Almond Oil) over the herbs and fill to the top of the jar.
3. Cover with a tight-fitting lid.
4. Label with the date and the ingredients.
5. Store in a warm, dark cabinet for 6 weeks. (Some folks like to infuse on a sunny windowsill, but I prefer the dark cabinet.)
6. After 6 weeks, strain through a funnel lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a clean glass jar. Label your new jar.

Calendula Summer Cream Ingredients

• ⅔ cup Calendula Oil
• ⅓ cup Shea Butter
• 0.5 oz Beeswax (just under 2 tablespoons)
• 1 tablespoon Rosehip Seed Oil

• ⅔ cup Rose Hydrosol
• ⅓ cup Aloe Vera Gel

• ½ teaspoon Vitamin E
• ½ teaspoon Glycerin
• 288 drops (about 0.25 oz) Leucidal SF Complete (a natural preservative)
• 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil

Directions to Make Calendula Summer Cream

1. Step One – Oil Phase: Combine your calendula oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Gently melt over a double boiler. Once melted and cooled slightly, add the Glycerin and Rosehip Seed Oil.
2. Step Two – Water Phase: In a separate container, combine your Rose Hydrosol and Aloe Vera Gel. Heat until warm — you want the oils and waters to be roughly the same temperature (around 120°F) before mixing.
3. Step Three – Blending: Slowly start mixing the oils with your immersion blender. Then, very slowly pour the warm waters into the bowl as you continue mixing. Don’t rush this part!
4. If the cream stops accepting water at some point, that’s okay — just stop there. Keep blending until the texture is silky and smooth. It won’t be fluffy like whipped butter; it’ll thicken up over the next few hours.
5. Step Four – The Cool Down: Once blended and cooled a bit, stir in the Vitamin E, Essential Oils, and Leucidal Liquid.
6. Check that the pH is between 3–5 so the preservative works properly.
7. Pour into jars: Transfer your cream into clean, sterilized jars while still semi-liquid. It will set and thicken as it cools.

Extras & Variations

Essential Oil Swap

• You can use Geranium essential oil in place of Lavender — it’s lovely and soothing as well.

Shelf Life

• Because this cream contains water (via the hydrosol and aloe), a preservative is recommended to keep it safe from bacteria and mold.
• We recommend Leucidal SF Complete, a natural preservative derived from fermented radish and approved by EcoCert.

Storage Tips

• Store in a cool, dark place. For best shelf life, use clean hands or a spatula when scooping the cream out of the jar.
• Expected shelf life with preservative: 3–6 months. Without preservative: store in the fridge and use within 2 weeks.