Discover the Multi-Miracle Skin Benefits of Calendula

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Whether you’re a longtime Kiehl’s fan or a skincare newbie, there’s a good chance you’ve heard us gush about calendula at one point or another. This powerful plant is a signature Kiehl’s ingredient and has been a mainstay in our repertoire for more than half a century. We started our love affair with the calendula flower when we first formulated the cult-classic Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner nearly 60 years ago. Calendula, with its known benefits to help address an array of skin concerns, has remained a staple in our science-backed skincare products ever since.

Ahead, we’ll let you in on why (and how) we came to love calendula so much. You’ll learn what, exactly, calendula is, a bit about its history, and discover three calendula benefits for skin. We’ll also provide recommendations on the best Kiehl’s products with calendula to add to your daily skincare routine. Read on to learn why calendula should be a key part of your plan for getting radiant, healthy-looking skin.

What is Calendula?

Native to the Mediterranean, Calendula officinalis, or pot marigold, is an herbaceous plant commonly used in herbal and skincare products. Thought to bloom on the first of the month, this perennial’s name stems from the Latin “kalendae” which means “little calendar” or “the first day of every month.”^I Calendula flowers are orange or gold with a strong, fresh aroma. A trusted herb for many centuries, Calendula is known to have been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Is Calendula Good for Your Skin?

Our Calendula Extract and petals are scientifically tested to provide a lasting, continuous supply of discomfort-reducing compounds. Each individual Calendula petal contains five compounds—Oleanic Acid, Lupeol, Quercetin, α Amyrin and β Amyrin. These efficacious compounds have been studied and are known to provide antioxidant protection, soothe skin and reduce discomfort.

What are the Benefits of Calendula?

The effective compounds within Calendula help soothe and visibly improve skin. By helping to reduce discomfort, our formulas with Calendula petals and extract help skin look smooth, radiant and dewy-fresh. Within our Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream, these compounds even help skin resist early signs of aging over time including dull skin, dry fine lines, and uneven skin tone and texture.

What are the Common Uses of Calendula?

In addition to skincare products with Calendula, this edible herb is often used in food and tea. Calendula petals may be mixed in with salads, steeped to create a soothing tea or used as a substitute for saffron. Yellow dye has also been extracted from the flower and used to color fabrics and foods.

Calendula in History

In the Middle Ages, Calendula was used to color cheeses and butters
During the American Civil War and World War I, Calendula petals were used to dress wounds
In Hindu culture, Calendula is used to adorn statues and is frequently incorporated into food, fabrics and cosmetics
Calendula was used in ancient Aztec and Mayan civilization and now is included in processions of the Day of the Dead in Mexico

Kiehl’s & Calendula

With the success and long-standing popularity of our Calendula toner, we expanded our Calendula products to include a foaming cleanser, hydrating face mask and serum-infused water cream. Each of these products is formulated with our concentrated Calendula Extract. True to our apothecary heritage, our mask, toner and water cream are still infused with handpicked Calendula petals!

Our Calendula Petals

It is approximately 9-10 months from the time that the Calendula seeds are planted, grown, handpicked and dried. Harvested from January to March, the entire flower is picked by hand to help preserve its delicacy and keep the petals intact. From there, petals are manually sorted and sundried without the addition of artificial heat or extra processing. Any unused petals and parts of the flower are then composted by the grower.

Calendula and Our Formulas

Our Calendula toner and Calendula mask are formulated with whole flower petals which contribute to the formula’s golden hue. As the petals are slowly mixed into the mask, the color begins to intensify while the Calendula toner’s color actually deepens over time. In formulating our Calendula water cream, Kiehl’s chemists looked to develop a preparation that would draw out the maximum efficacy of Calendula. For this formulation, whole Calendula petals are steeped at a high temperature to allow for maximum release of the flower’s skin-soothing compounds. Once the compounds have been released, these whole petals are mixed into the formula and become crushed into hundreds of micronized petals—visible only under a microscope.

Calendula Toner and the Smithsonian

Our cult-classic Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner is even included in the Smithsonian Institute’s Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Collection.^II As part of the permanent collection in the National Museum of American History, this classic skincare formula is recognized for its unique heritage.

Your Calendula Skincare Routine

Our gentle yet effective Calendula skincare products are formulated for all skin types. Particularly well-suited for normal and oily skin, these products are also mild enough for use by sensitive skin types. Our customers also say that this skincare routine can help balance their skin to help improve problem areas for healthy-looking skin. Refresh your routine and experience the benefits of Calendula for your skin.

STEP 1

Cleanse

Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

With a fresh aroma and creamy foam texture, this face wash is a revitalizing way to start the morning or melt away dirt and oil at the end of the day. This efficacious facial cleanser for oily skin and normal skin, gently lifts away dirt, debris and impurities. Its creamy gel formula activates into a dense, rich foam and leaves skin feeling refreshed and renewed. While an effective cleanser, our Calendula face wash maintains the skin barrier and provides a non-stripping feeling. Refresh your skin with this aromatic foaming face wash.

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STEP 2

Tone

Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner

Beloved by our customers, this iconic formula helps to soothe and tone skin. An effective toner for oily skin and normal skin, this formula is infused with Great Burdock Root and Allantoin along with Calendula Extract and approximately 93 Calendula petals in a 250 ml bottle. An alcohol-free toner, this formula does not contain harsh synthetic drying agents. After cleansing, smooth on our gentle Calendula toner to soothe and improve problem areas.

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STEP 3

Hydrate

Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream

Infused with a concentrated Calendula serum, our lightweight water cream is a multi-miracle formula. Formulated with hundreds of micronized Calendula petals and our highest concentration of Calendula Extract, this efficacious moisturizer visibly evens skin tone and boosts radiance while helping reduce visible redness over time. Upon application, this formula bursts into a water-light texture releasing our concentrated Calendula Serum directly to skin. Smooth on daily for petal-soft skin.

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STEP 4

Mask

Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Mask

For a refreshing surge of cooling hydration, experience our calming face mask. Formulated for all skin types, this comforting face mask hydrates skin leaving it feeling soft and soothed. True to our heritage with Calendula, thismask is infused with hand-picked Calendula petals, which are known for their skin-calming capabilities. Soothe and refresh your skin after a stressful day or long flight or whenever you want to experience the cooling hydration. Apply on your entire face and leave for 15 minutes to leave skin feeling softer, replenished and balanced.

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^Ii Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (6th ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. 2007. P. 3804 ISBN 0199206872
^II “Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Alcohol-Free Toner.” Smithsonian Institution. Web. 06 Jun. 2018.