This natural, homemade whipped lotion is absorbent and leaves your skin soft and supple.
Shea leaves even the driest skin nourished, while calendula is a flower that blooms with vibrant yellow and orange petals. The flower is infused into carrier oils like jojoba to create skincare products that help heal and protect.
This potent flower is rich in antioxidants, helping to soothe inflamed skin from eczema, psoriasis or irritation.
Shea Butter at Glance
- Non-comedogenic: doesn’t clog pores, suitable for acne-prone skin
- Helps reduce inflammation.
- Great for year-round use to treat conditions like dry skin or eczema
Calendula Benefits
- Calendula is naturally antibacterial, making it useful in preventing minor skin infections.
- Calendula preparations are used to ease a variety of skin conditions from bee stings to foot ulcers.
Tips For Creating a DIY Calendula Lotion
- While whipping the lotion, you can tailor the consistency to your preferences. Mix for 3-4 minutes for a thinner lotion or 5-6 minutes for a thicker cream.
- The lotion will solidify slightly at room temperature, but will melt upon skin contact.
- Store your lotion in the refrigerator during the summer for a calming after-sun lotion to soothe skin.
- To save time, you can also purchase calendula oil online. I recommend this certified organic brand on Amazon here.
Soothing Calendula Lotion for Dry, Irritated Skin
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Equipment Double-boiler
Author: Magdalena Wszelaki
Recipe type: DIY
Serves: 1 cup
Ingredients
For the Calendula-Infused Oil (skip if buying)
- ½ cup dried calendula petals
- ⅔-1 cup carrier oil like jojoba or extra virgin olive oil
For the Calendula Lotion
- 3 ounces organic 100% shea butter
- 2 ounces organic calendula-infused oil
How To Make
To Make the Calendula-Infused Oil (skip step if buying)
- Use a double boiler or create one by partially filling a stock pot or sauce pan with water and placing your mason jar containing the herb/oil mixture in the water.
- Turn the heat on medium until the water is warm and slightly bubbling, then turn it down to low or simmer for the infusion process. Avoid boiling.
- *A Crock Pot can be used as well. Add warm water to the Crock Pot and place the mason jar into the water. Turn the heat on high for 30 minutes or so, and then down to low for the remainder of the infusion time. Avoid boiling.
- Place a lid on the jar, BUT DON’T TIGHTEN IT. A heated closed jar can explode from the pressure that builds up.
- Infuse the oil for approximately 3-4 hours, with frequent stirring (watch out for that water!).
- There is a subtle ‘finished aroma’ that you will learn to detect with each particular herb. This is analogous to a skilled chef knowing when a dish is perfectly done by the aroma it gives off. Overheated oil also has a subtle repellant smell which you will learn to avoid with experience.
- Allow plant material to settle to the bottom of the jar and strain through a fine strainer. Store the finished oil in dark glass containers in a cool, dark place or your refrigerator.
To Make the Calendula Lotion
- Heat shea butter in the bowl of a double-boiler over medium heat until melted.
- Remove the bowl from heat and add calendula-infused oil. Allow oil to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes or until oil turns opaque.
- Use a hand-mixer to whip mixture for 4-5 minutes. The color will turn from yellow to light yellow and eventually a creamy white. The texture of the lotion should be similar to mayonnaise.
- Spoon lotion into a glass jar and store in a dry spot.
Notes
Double boiler oil infusion:
This style of infusion is great for making infused oils quickly. It is also the preferred method of infusion during the colder months of the year. The water in the double boiler prevents the oil from becoming too hot and scorching.
IMPORTANT: With this method, avoid getting water from the double boiler into the jar with the oil! Water introduced into the oil can cause mold growth if not removed.
This style of infusion is great for making infused oils quickly. It is also the preferred method of infusion during the colder months of the year. The water in the double boiler prevents the oil from becoming too hot and scorching.
IMPORTANT: With this method, avoid getting water from the double boiler into the jar with the oil! Water introduced into the oil can cause mold growth if not removed.
Where to Get Calendula Oil
Just a quick reminder that if you want to skip the first step of making the calendula oil, here’s a brand I recommend on Amazon.
So where is the lotion recipe? All I see is how to make the calendula oil.
LOTION Recipe is on the bottom of the page !!!!!! Just under Calendula infused oil…
Same. I see the recipe for calendula oil but not the lotion.
Thanks for all you are doing! It is uplifting and also gives a sense of control to watch your videos and implement your ideas during these uncertain times.
This lotion sounds amazing so please please could you add the lotion recipe😊
Hello,
my lotion never got the the mayonnaise. Any suggestions what I might have done incorrectly?
thanks in advance,
Cat
This lotion is AMAZING! As a woman who has had years of eczema and sensitivities to chemicals and scents; I have a lotion I can use that doesn’t cost a fortune! Thank you so much!!!!
Hi Aly, we’re so glad that you’re loving it!! Thank you for sharing this with us. ~HB Support
Is it possible when making the infused oil to add the shea butter to jar? Wondering if the calendula properties would be more stronger if it were all together
Hi Robin, you will want to add the infused oil once the shea butter has heated in the bowl. This will help obtain your desired consistency. We hope this helps! ~HB Support.