Making calendula oil at home is a simple infusion process: you steep dried calendula petals in a carrier oil for several weeks (or several hours with gentle heat), then strain out the plant material. The result is a golden, skin-soothing oil rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. There are two main methods, and the one you choose depends on how much time you have.
Dry Your Flowers First
This step is non-negotiable. Moisture trapped in fresh petals introduces water into the oil, which breeds mold and causes rancidity. If you’re harvesting your own calendula, spread the flower heads in a single layer on a drying rack or screen in a warm, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. They’re ready when the petals feel papery and snap rather than bend, which usually takes three to seven days depending on humidity. You can also use a food dehydrator on its lowest setting to speed things up.
If you’re buying dried calendula, look for whole flower heads with vibrant orange or yellow color. Dull, brownish petals have likely lost potency.
Choosing a Carrier Oil
The carrier oil you pick affects how the finished product feels on your skin, how long it lasts, and how well it delivers calendula’s beneficial compounds. Here are the most practical options:
- Olive oil: The classic choice for herbal infusions. It’s affordable, widely available, and has a long shelf life. The downside is a heavier feel and a noticeable scent that some people find too strong for facial use.
- Jojoba oil: Technically a liquid wax that closely mimics human skin oils, so it absorbs quickly without a greasy residue. It stays stable for years, making it ideal if you want to make a large batch.
- Sweet almond oil: A medium-weight oil that glides smoothly, making it a good pick for massage blends. Its natural vitamin E content helps extend shelf life.
- Fractionated coconut oil: Virtually odorless and colorless with an indefinite shelf life. It absorbs fast and won’t interfere with calendula’s own golden color and mild herbal scent.
- Grapeseed oil: Very lightweight with an almost silky texture, but it has a shorter shelf life of about six to eight months. Best for small batches you’ll use quickly.
For a first batch, olive oil or jojoba oil are the most forgiving choices. Both tolerate long infusion times without going off.
The Cold Infusion Method (4 to 6 Weeks)
This is the traditional approach, and many herbalists prefer it because low temperatures preserve heat-sensitive compounds like carotenoids.
Fill a clean, completely dry glass jar about halfway with dried calendula petals. Pour your carrier oil over the petals until they’re fully submerged with at least an inch of oil above them. A standard ratio is 1 part dried herb by weight to 10 parts oil by volume. For example, 25 grams of dried calendula to 250 milliliters of oil. This keeps the mixture manageable while still producing a potent infusion.
Seal the jar tightly and place it in a sunny windowsill or another consistently warm spot. Every few days, give the jar a gentle shake to redistribute the petals and encourage extraction. After four to six weeks, the oil will have turned a deep golden-orange. Strain it through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a clean jar, pressing the petals to squeeze out every last drop. Discard the spent flowers.
The Warm Infusion Method (8+ Hours)
If you don’t want to wait a month, gentle heat speeds the process dramatically. The key word is gentle: you’re warming the oil, not cooking it. High heat destroys the very compounds you’re trying to extract.
Combine the same ratio of dried petals and oil in a double boiler, slow cooker, or a glass jar set inside a pot of water. Warm the mixture over the lowest possible heat setting, keeping it well below a simmer. You should be able to comfortably touch the outside of the jar. Cover and let it infuse for at least eight hours, stirring occasionally. Some people repeat this over two or three days for a deeper infusion, turning the heat off overnight and restarting in the morning.
Once finished, let the oil cool to room temperature, then strain through cheesecloth just as you would with the cold method.
What Makes Calendula Oil Worth the Effort
Calendula petals contain two categories of compounds that make the infused oil genuinely useful, not just pleasant. The first is carotenoids, the same family of pigments that give carrots their color. These act as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals that damage skin cells. They’re also part of why calendula oil supports wound healing: carotenoids help form the structural cross-links that hold new tissue together.
The second group is faradiol esters, a type of plant compound with strong anti-inflammatory effects. In animal studies, faradiol esters reduced both acute and chronic swelling more effectively than the flower extract alone. These compounds stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in damaged tissue and boost collagen production, which is why calendula has a long track record in managing slow-healing wounds, minor burns, and irritated skin. Research on acute hand wounds found that calendula reduced healing time and supported collagen synthesis compared to standard wound care.
Storage and Shelf Life
Pour your finished oil into dark glass bottles (amber or cobalt blue) to protect it from UV light, which breaks down both the carrier oil and calendula’s active compounds. Store it in a cool, dark place like a cabinet or pantry. Properly made and stored calendula oil lasts about one year, though shelf life depends partly on your carrier oil. Jojoba and fractionated coconut oil blends stay fresh longest, while grapeseed-based infusions should be used within six to eight months.
Label each bottle with the date you strained it and the carrier oil you used. If the oil develops an off smell, turns cloudy, or changes color significantly, it has likely gone rancid and should be discarded.
Allergies and Sensitivities
Calendula belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) plant family, which also includes ragweed, chamomile, echinacea, arnica, and chrysanthemums. If you’re allergic to any of these plants, you may react to calendula oil as well. Before using it on a large area of skin, apply a small amount to the inside of your wrist and wait 24 hours to check for redness or irritation. The safety of calendula during pregnancy has not been well studied, so if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, check with your provider before using it regularly.