Government name
Calendula Officinalis Flower
Goes by
Calendula
The verdict
Superhero
Superpower
Natural carotenoid pigments that give its petals, and the oil they're steeped in, a golden-orange color.
Calendula's government name is Calendula Officinalis Flower. You might know it as pot marigold, though it's not the same plant as the marigolds in most garden beds.
Superhero or supervillain?
Superhero. Its superpower is color. Calendula petals naturally contain carotenoids, the same family of pigments that makes carrots orange.
What it does in my skincare
I steep dried calendula flowers in oil to infuse it. The oil takes on a golden-yellow color and feels just like the oil it started as. Calendula petals are also known for holding their yellow-orange color in soap better than most dried flowers, which tend to brown.
Where you’ll find it
In 3 things I make.
In the soaps named for Ella.
Usually seen with olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil and olive wax.
Don’t judge an ingredient by its government name. Judge it by the science.
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