If you love making your own herbal skincare, this DIY glowing calendula oil is a lovely addition to your homemade beauty routine. Made with calendula-infused oil and a little mica powder, this simple body oil nourishes the skin with moisturizing plant oils while adding a beautiful, subtle shimmer.
Calendula is one of my favorite herbs to keep on hand for homemade skincare. Its bright golden-orange flowers have a long history of use in traditional herbal preparations, particularly those made for dry and irritated skin.
Infusing calendula flowers into a carrier oil is an easy way to incorporate this beautiful herb into your skincare routine. And with the addition of mica powder, you can transform an everyday infused body oil into something a little more special!
Whether you’re making this for yourself or packaging it up as a handmade gift, this glowing calendula oil is a fun and simple herbal DIY.
Why Make Calendula-Infused Oil?
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), sometimes called pot marigold, is a cheerful flowering herb with vibrant yellow and orange petals.
It has a long history in traditional herbalism and is commonly used in homemade salves, creams, balms, and infused oils.
Calendula is especially popular in skincare preparations intended for dry, sensitive, or irritated skin. Infusing the flowers into a carrier oil creates a versatile ingredient that can be used on its own or incorporated into other homemade skincare recipes.
For this recipe, we’ll add a little mica powder to create a shimmering body oil that leaves behind a beautiful golden glow.
Ingredients for Calendula Glow Oil
You’ll only need three ingredients to make this homemade body oil.
- Dried calendula flowers: You’ll need enough dried flowers to fill approximately three-quarters of a quart-sized mason jar.
- Carrier oil: I used sweet almond oil, but you can substitute another skin-friendly carrier oil.
- Mica powder: Adds a beautiful shimmer to the finished body oil. Choose a cosmetic-grade mica powder intended for skin applications.
Choosing a Carrier Oil
Sweet almond oil is a lovely choice for homemade body oils because it has a smooth texture and spreads easily across the skin.
Other carrier oils can also be used, depending on your preferences. The most important thing is to choose an oil suitable for topical skincare.
How to Make Calendula-Infused Oil
Before making the glowing body oil, you’ll first need to infuse your calendula flowers into a carrier oil.
This is a simple herbal infusion that takes a little patience, but very little hands-on time.
Step 1: Fill Your Jar
Start with a clean, dry quart-sized mason jar. Fill the jar approximately three-quarters full with dried calendula flowers.
Step 2: Add the Carrier Oil
Pour your carrier oil over the dried flowers until they are completely submerged. Make sure all the plant material is covered with oil.
This is an important step when making herbal-infused oils. Any flowers left exposed above the oil can introduce moisture and increase the risk of spoilage.
Step 3: Infuse the Calendula
Secure the lid and place your jar in a cool, dark location for 4–6 weeks.
Give the jar a gentle shake each day to help distribute the flowers throughout the oil.
Step 4: Strain the Oil
After 4–6 weeks, strain the calendula flowers from the oil using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Transfer the finished infused oil into a clean, dry glass jar or bottle.
Your calendula-infused oil is now ready to use!
How to Make Glowing Calendula Body Oil
Now for the fun part! Adding mica powder gives this homemade body oil a beautiful shimmer.
- Pour your calendula-infused oil into a clean glass oil bottle.
- Add ¼–½ teaspoon of cosmetic-grade mica powder.
- Secure the lid and shake well to distribute the mica throughout the oil.
- Apply a small amount to your skin for a soft, shimmering glow.
- Shake the bottle before each use, as mica naturally settles to the bottom.
I love how this simple addition transforms a traditional herbal-infused oil into something that feels a little more luxurious!
Tips for Making Calendula Glow Oil
Use completely dried flowers. Always use thoroughly dried calendula flowers when making infused oils. Fresh flowers contain moisture, which can increase the risk of spoilage.
Keep the flowers submerged. Make sure your carrier oil completely covers the calendula throughout the infusion process.
Choose skin-safe mica. Not all mica powders are intended for cosmetic use. Look for a cosmetic-grade product suitable for leave-on body applications.
Shake before applying. Mica doesn’t dissolve in oil, so it will naturally settle. Give your bottle a good shake before each application.
Store properly. Keep your finished body oil in a clean, dry, tightly sealed bottle away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Discard it if you notice any unusual changes in appearance or smell.
Patch test first. Apply a small amount to a discreet area of skin before using it more widely. Avoid applying to broken or irritated skin, and discontinue use if irritation occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does calendula-infused oil take to make?
The calendula flowers need approximately 4–6 weeks to infuse into the carrier oil. Once strained, the oil can be used immediately or incorporated into other homemade skincare recipes.
Can I use a different carrier oil?
Absolutely! Sweet almond oil is what I used for this recipe, but you can experiment with other carrier oils suitable for topical use.
Does mica powder dissolve in oil?
No. Mica is a mineral powder that suspends in the oil rather than dissolving. This is why it’s important to shake your bottle before each use.
Can I use fresh calendula flowers?
For this recipe, I recommend using dried calendula flowers. Fresh flowers contain water, which can introduce moisture into your oil infusion and increase the risk of microbial growth.
What can I use calendula-infused oil for?
Calendula-infused oil can be used as a standalone body oil or as an ingredient in homemade skincare preparations such as salves, balms, and body butters.
Related DIYs:
PrintDIY Glowing Calendula Oil (With a Beautiful Golden Shimmer!)
Learn how to make DIY glowing calendula oil with dried calendula flowers, sweet almond oil, and cosmetic-grade mica powder. This simple herbal skincare recipe combines calendula-infused oil with a beautiful golden shimmer to create a homemade body oil. Perfect for natural skincare lovers, handmade gifts, and anyone who enjoys making herbal beauty products at home. Save this easy calendula oil recipe and try it yourself!
Ingredients
For Calendula-Infused Oil:
- Dried calendula flowers, enough to fill 3/4 of a quart-sized mason jar
- Sweet almond oil, or another liquid carrier oil, enough to completely cover the flowers
For Glowing Calendula Oil:
- 1 cup calendula-infused oil
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon cosmetic-grade mica powder
Instructions
Make the Calendula-Infused Oil:
- Fill a clean, dry quart-sized mason jar approximately three-quarters full with dried calendula flowers.
- Pour carrier oil over the flowers until they are completely submerged.
- Secure the lid and place the jar in a cool, dark location for 4–6 weeks. Shake daily.
- Strain the flowers from the infused oil using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
- Transfer the infused oil to a clean, dry glass container.
Make the Glowing Body Oil:
- Pour 1 cup of calendula-infused oil into a clean glass bottle.
- Add ¼–½ teaspoon of cosmetic-grade mica powder.
- Secure the lid and shake well to combine.
- Shake before each use and apply to skin for a beautiful shimmer.
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