If you've followed Organic Sol Kitchen for any length of time, you've probably noticed that I have a bit of a love affair with calendula.
Of all the herbs I work with, calendula is the one I find myself reaching for again and again. Dry skin? Calendula. Chapped hands? Calendula. Rough elbows, cracked heels, cuticles, windburn, dry patches, unhappy skin? Calendula.
If herbal skincare had a Hall of Fame, calendula would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
For centuries, herbalists have treasured these bright golden flowers for their ability to comfort and support the skin. Long before complicated ingredient lists and expensive creams, people were infusing calendula into oils and creating simple salves to care for their families.
I love that.
There's something beautiful about a remedy that has stood the test of time.
That's exactly what inspired my Calendula Repair Balm.
Each batch begins with organic calendula flowers slowly infused into olive oil. I don't rush the process. The flowers are given time to share their goodness with the oil, creating the rich golden infusion that gives this balm its signature color and character.
From there, I blend the infusion with nourishing avocado oil, sunflower oil, and beeswax to create a rich herbal balm designed to protect, nourish, and lock in moisture where it's needed most.
Unlike mass-produced skincare, every batch is handcrafted in small quantities. I carefully monitor each infusion, melt, pour, and cure by hand. This slower process allows me to focus on quality, consistency, and honoring the plants that make these products so special.
HOW I USE MY CALENDULA REPAIR BALM
Truthfully?
I use this balm for almost everything.
It's my go-to for dry hands, rough elbows, cracked heels, and cuticles, but over the years calendula has become one of those herbs I instinctively reach for anytime my skin, scalp, or hair needs a little extra support.
• Dry hands and knuckles
• Cracked heels and feet
• Cuticles
• Rough elbows and knees
• Dry patches of skin
• Areas exposed to wind, sun, and harsh weather
• Post-shaving skin
• Uneven-looking skin that needs extra nourishment
• Areas prone to occasional redness
• Around the nose during cold and allergy season
• Dry or flaky areas along the hairline
• Flyaways and dry ends
• As a light hair and scalp treatment
• After long days outdoors
• As the final step in my nighttime skincare routine to lock in my toner, serum, and moisture overnight
• Anywhere that feels like it could use a little extra love and moisture
One of my favorite ways to use this balm is as the final step in my nighttime skincare routine.
After cleansing, I apply my toner and serum first, then finish with a small amount of Calendula Repair Balm to lock everything in.
Maybe that's because some of my earliest memories of skincare involve my grandmother. As a child, I'd get my goodnight kiss from Grammy with her face absolutely covered in night cream. Back then I thought it was funny. Now I smile thinking about it.
She understood something we've somehow forgotten in our rush toward complicated skincare routines—that sometimes simple, nourishing ingredients used consistently can be incredibly powerful.
These days, I've created a similar ritual of my own.
Living in Colorado, where the climate can be incredibly dry, I've come to appreciate the value of protecting the skin's moisture barrier. A few nights a week, I smooth a thin layer of Calendula Repair Balm over my face before bed as the final step in my routine. By morning, my skin feels soft, supple, and glowing, and I'm reminded that some of the best skincare traditions have been around for generations.
Maybe Grammy was onto something all along.
One of my favorite things about calendula is that the more you use it, the more uses you seem to find for it. It's the tin I keep on my nightstand, toss in my bag, and reach for without even thinking.
A little goes a long way. The combination of slow-infused calendula oil, nourishing plant oils, and beeswax helps create a protective barrier that seals in moisture while leaving skin feeling soft, cared for, and supported.
In a world full of trendy skincare ingredients that come and go, calendula continues to earn its place as one of the most beloved herbs in the herbal apothecary.
And in my opinion?
It will always be the GOAT.
🌼
— Jamie Vaughn
Founder, Organic Sol Kitchen