The Laver Ingredient Series, No. 1 | Laver Handcrafted Soap
If you've ever walked past a garden bed of bright orange and yellow blooms and thought nothing of it, you may have overlooked one of the most powerful skin-healing plants in the world.
Calendula — sometimes called pot marigold — is the first ingredient we're spotlighting in our series on what goes into Laver creams and why. It's been in our formulations from the beginning, and once you understand what it does, you'll see why.
What Is Calendula?
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a flowering plant in the daisy family, native to the Mediterranean but now grown across the world — including right here in Canada. It blooms in warm shades of orange, yellow, and gold, and has been cultivated for both culinary and medicinal use for centuries.
In skincare, calendula is most commonly used as an infused oil — dried petals steeped in a carrier oil (like sunflower or olive oil) until the oil draws out the plant's beneficial compounds. That infused oil is then used as an ingredient in balms, creams, and salves.
At Laver, we use calendula-infused oil in our creams for its remarkable ability to soothe, heal, and protect skin.
What Does It Actually Do for Skin?
It Soothes Irritated and Inflamed Skin
Calendula contains a high concentration of flavonoids and triterpenoids — plant compounds with well-documented anti-inflammatory properties. For skin that's red, irritated, rashy, or reactive, calendula is one of nature's most reliable calming agents.
This is why you'll find calendula in products designed for sensitive skin, eczema, diaper rash, and post-sun care. It doesn't just mask irritation — it actively helps reduce the inflammatory response in the skin.
It Supports Wound Healing
Traditional herbalists have used calendula on cuts, scrapes, and minor burns for hundreds of years. Modern research has caught up — studies have shown that calendula promotes faster tissue repair by stimulating collagen production and supporting the growth of new skin cells.
For everyday skincare, this means calendula helps skin recover from dryness, cracking, windburn, and the general wear of Canadian seasons.
It's Naturally Antimicrobial
Calendula has mild antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which makes it particularly useful for skin that's prone to irritation or minor infections. It helps keep skin clean and balanced without the harshness of synthetic antimicrobials.
It's Deeply Moisturizing
Beyond its healing properties, calendula-infused oil is simply a rich, nourishing moisturizer. The carrier oil itself delivers fatty acids to the skin, and the calendula compounds help support the skin barrier — keeping moisture in and irritants out.
A Plant With a Long History
Calendula has been used medicinally since at least the 12th century. Medieval European herbalists used it to treat skin conditions, wounds, and inflammation. During the American Civil War, calendula leaves were used on the battlefield to treat wounds and reduce infection.
It earned its place in the natural medicine cabinet not through marketing, but through centuries of observed results. That's the kind of track record we trust.
Why We Use It at Laver
When we were developing our tallow-based creams, we wanted botanicals that would genuinely complement what tallow already does so well — nourish, protect, and support the skin barrier.
Calendula was a natural fit. Where tallow delivers deep lipid nourishment and fat-soluble vitamins, calendula adds anti-inflammatory, healing, and protective properties that round out the formula beautifully.
Together, they're especially effective for:
- Dry, cracked, or weather-beaten skin
- Sensitive or reactive skin types
- Skin recovering from irritation or redness
- Anyone dealing with the particular brutality of a Canadian winter
What to Look for When Buying Calendula Products
Not all calendula is equal. A few things to keep in mind:
Infused oil vs. extract — calendula-infused oil (petals steeped in a carrier oil) delivers the full spectrum of the plant's benefits. Some cheaper products use a diluted extract or just the name for marketing purposes. At Laver, we use properly infused calendula oil.
Organic where possible — calendula readily absorbs what's in its environment. Organically grown calendula means no pesticide residue making its way into your skincare.
Paired ingredients matter — calendula works best when the rest of the formula supports it. In a tallow-based cream, it's in excellent company.
Coming Up Next in the Series
Next, we're looking at chamomile — another anti-inflammatory botanical with a long history and a reputation for calming even the most reactive skin.
In the meantime, if you'd like to experience calendula for yourself, it's one of the key botanicals in our tallow creams at Laver.
Have a question about our ingredients? Send us a message — we love this stuff and we're happy to talk through it.
Laver Handcrafted Soap | Small-batch natural skincare | Ships across Canada The Laver Ingredient Series: [Calendula] | Chamomile | Dandelion | Aloe Vera | Oatmeal
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