Calendula in cosmetics: what it does for your skin and which products it's in

We use calendula primarily where the skin is dry. It appears in restorative body care products, almost always alongside shea butter, and we credit it with relieving the feeling of tightness. It is also found in a mask for color-treated or dull hair, as an infused oil that softens the hair fiber.

What is calendula and what are its benefits

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a yellow or orange garden flower from the daisy family. In an INCI list, you will see it as "Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract." These extracts bring together compounds that the plant produces to protect itself, such as flavonoids and carotenoids (the pigments responsible for its color), and in cosmetics, they are used for their reputation for providing comfort to dry skin.

There are two ways to incorporate it into a formula. As an extract, which is mixed into the aqueous phase of a cream, or as an infused oil: the flower is macerated in a vegetable oil, transferring its fat-soluble compounds. Both forms appear in this piece.

What a cosmetic with calendula does not do: cure dermatitis or close a wound. If dryness causes cracking, bleeding, or persistent itching, it is time to see a dermatologist.

Where Yves Rocher's calendula comes from

It is one of the nine emblematic plants that we cultivate on our 60 hectares of fields in La Gacilly, in Brittany (France). The others are cornflower, peppermint, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, edulis, nasturtium, arnica, and fig-marigold.

Official pages state that these fields are cultivated organically, with certification since 1999, under an agroecological approach. Calendula, along with wild chamomile and cornflower, also holds AB and UEBT (Union for Ethical BioTrade) certifications. We describe the location in the Yves Rocher botanical garden.

Which products contain it

The bulk of it is in the restorative cream line, formulated for dry to extra-dry skin. There, calendula almost never works on its own: shea provides the fat that softens and retains water, and calendula provides the feeling of relief.

The richest product is the Restorative Body Butter, a balm made of organic shea butter and organic calendula for dry to extra-dry skin. We attribute the relief of tightness to the organic calendula extract, and we back this up with a satisfaction study on 59 people, where 86% stated that it immediately relieves that sensation. It has 98% ingredients of natural origin and a vegan formula.

If a butter feels too heavy for you, the Nourishing Body Lotion contains the same two active ingredients in a light texture. It moisturizes for up to 24 hours; this data comes from a clinical study on 12 volunteers, a small sample. It has 92% ingredients of natural origin and a vegan formula.

In the shower, the Shower Oil contains calendula and shea butter. A cleansing oil strips away fewer lipids than a foaming gel, which is why it leaves less tightness upon stepping out: we formulated it to soothe, leaving the skin soft and silky.

The Nourishing Body Scrub also includes it in its ingredient list, although the star there is shea, in both butter and exfoliating shells.

Outside of the body, the Radiance Protection Mask combines raspberry vinegar with infused calendula oil, for color-treated or dull hair. The oil softens the fiber so that it reflects more light, a result from instrumental tests on hair strands.

How to use products with calendula

For dry skin, a three-step body routine:

1. In the shower, cleanse with the shower oil. When you want to exfoliate, use the scrub on your body and rinse well. Do not apply it to the face or on irritated skin.
2. Upon stepping out, apply the body lotion with light massages all over the body.
3. On the driest areas (elbows, knees, legs), use the butter, which has a whipped texture and is extremely rich.

For hair, apply the mask to damp hair, focusing on the lengths; leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes and rinse. In the dry cold of Bogotá, the butter is more effective when applied while the skin is still damp.

Since calendula almost always comes with shea, that ingredient has its own piece: Shea in cosmetics.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Yves Rocher grow calendula?

Calendula is one of the nine emblematic plants that we cultivate in our fields in La Gacilly, in Brittany. These fields have been organically certified since 1999, and the calendula holds AB and UEBT certifications.

What skin type are body products with calendula for?

The Restorative Body Butter and Nourishing Body Lotion are formulated for dry to extra-dry skin. The Nourishing Body Scrub, which also contains it, is suitable for all skin types.

What is the difference between the nourishing lotion and the restorative butter?

Both combine shea butter and calendula for dry skin. The lotion has a light texture that absorbs quickly, and the butter is whipped and much richer, for areas that need more nourishment.

Is calendula also used in hair?

Yes. The Radiance Protection Mask contains infused calendula oil, which softens the hair fiber to help color-treated or dull hair reflect more light.