CALENDULA OFFICINALIS

📋 Quick facts

Description: CALENDULA OFFICINALIS — CIR reviewed: safe as used in cosmetics. Report: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Calendula Officinalis Extract and Calendula Officinalis.

Quick Facts:

• Category: other

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Calendula officinalis (marigold) contains flavonoids, triterpenoids, carotenoids, and other compounds with potential biological activity
• Research shows mixed but promising results for wound healing, particularly in the early inflammation phase
• Some evidence supports use for venous ulcers and radiodermatitis, though results aren’t consistent across all wound types
• Traditional uses span burn care, skin conditions, and other applications, but clinical evidence remains limited
• More large-scale studies are needed to confirm benefits

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Calendula officinalis, commonly known as marigold, is a Mediterranean plant with a long history in traditional medicine. The plant contains a complex mix of bioactive compounds—including flavonoids, triterpenoids, glycosides, saponins, carotenoids, and volatile oils (Pharmaceuticals Basel, 2023)—that researchers believe may explain its reported health benefits. #1: Wound healing in early stages — Animal studies and at least one human trial show that calendula extract may speed up the inflammation phase of acute wound healing and increase granulation tissue production (the new tissue that forms during healing) compared to controls (Wound Repair Regen, 2019). However, this benefit appears most consistent in animal models; human evidence is more limited.

#2: Venous ulcers — Two clinical studies found that calendula reduced the surface area of venous ulcers compared to control treatments (Wound Repair Regen, 2019). This is one of the more consistent findings across the research. #3: Other chronic wounds — Results are mixed. One randomized clinical trial found no improvement with calendula for diabetic leg ulcers, and burn healing studies showed inconsistent results as well—animal studies suggested benefit if applied before injury, but a human trial of topical calendula on partial to full thickness burns showed no advantage over controls (Wound Repair Regen, 2019). #4: Radiodermatitis (radiation-induced skin damage) — Calendula performed better than some treatments (like trolamine and essential fatty acids) but less effectively than others (like Ching Wan Hung cream) in preventing and treating this condition (Rev Bras Enferm, 2020; Wound Repair Regen, 2019).

One study showed improvement compared to trolamine, while another found no improvement versus aqua gel cream (Wound Repair Regen, 2019). The chemical compounds in calendula leaves have also shown potential activity against COMT, an enzyme involved in neurotransmitter regulation, suggesting possible future applications for neurological conditions, though this remains exploratory (Molecules, 2023). Overall, while traditional medicine has employed calendula for millennia across various skin, burn, and gastrointestinal conditions (Pharmaceuticals Basel, 2023; Molecules, 2024), the modern scientific evidence remains preliminary. Animal studies generally show more promise than human trials. Researchers consistently note that larger, well-designed clinical studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions about calendula’s effectiveness (Wound Repair Regen, 2019; Rev Bras Enferm, 2020).

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Givol O et al. (2019). A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing. Wound Repair Regen.
• Shahane K et al. (2023). An Updated Review on the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Calendula officinalis L. Pharmaceuticals (Basel).
• Kadowaki W et al. (2023). Catechol-O-methyltransferase Inhibitors from Calendula officinalis Leaf. Molecules.
• Vella FM et al. (2024). The Mediterranean Species Calendula officinalis and Foeniculum vulgare as Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds. Molecules.
• Simões FV et al. (2020). Effectiveness of skin protectors and calendula officinalis for prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis: an integrative review. Rev Bras Enferm.

🧴 Products Containing CALENDULA OFFICINALIS

• Cosmo Naturel, Gravier Shampooing Cheveux secs Karité – Jojoba – Aloe
• Nivea Baby SHAMPOOING & BAIN HAPPY BATH
• Lavera Body Milk Sensitiv – Lavera
• Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Miracle Face Cream
• Speick Men After Shave Balsam Sensitiv
• Highland Soap Co. Mandarin Organic Lip Balm
• Bi-Oil Bi-Oil Körperöl, 125 ml
• Nature’s Answer PerioBrite Mouthwash
• Natural Feeling Natural Feeling | Crema Extra Humectante
• Despar Bebè salviettine detergenti corpo
• Laboratoires Gilbert, Laino Soin des lèvres Cire d’abeille
• Karseell Maca Essential Oil
• L’Erbolario Shampoo Solido con estratti di Camomilla e Calendula
• Dentamyl, Marque Repère Dentifrice Fluor & Plantes aux 4 extraits de plantes
• Marque Repère Crème hydratante visage et corps
• greenatural gel íntimo ecológico
• Laboratoires Vendome, Vendome Douche & Bain Émollient Surgras Peaux sèches
• Dermaself Pimple Stopper
• Istituto elvetico Sanders Enoxyl tonic
• La Saponaria Crema solare spf 50
• Gala, le driadi avena & calendula
• PhBio Camomilla e Aloe Vera
• Fiocchi di riso Talco non talco
• Burts Bees Baby Sunflower Lotion
• le petit marseillais Après shampooing cheveux & cuir chevelu
• Omia Intimo pH 3,5
• Bi Oil Bi oil huile de soin spécialiste
• Weleda Skin Food Lait Corps
• Weleda Skin Food – Baume corps
• Weleda Weleda Bébé Calendula – Crème protectrice Visage
• Weleda Savon végétal au calendula
• Weleda Weleda Bébé Huile de toilette au Calendula
• Instituto Español Loción corporal Arnica Piernas Cansadas
• Linea Verde Champu balsamico uso frecuente
• Deliplus Gel corporal infantil
• Etos Uiercrème
• l-oreal, Elsève Cica repair – Soins sans rinçage
• Leader Price Soin hydratant peaux sèches & sensibles
• Klorane Klorane Bébé Crème protectrice pour le change
• Cattier Gynea Soin Douceur Toilette Intime