Calendula Salve with Shea Butter: Easy Homemade Recipe

Discover how to make your own Calendula Salve with Shea Butter, a natural skin remedy. Ideal for dry or irritated skin, this easy recipe combines healing calendula and moisturizing shea butter.

This soothing Calendula Salve with Shea Butter is perfect if you’re seeking a natural remedy for your skin. It combines the healing properties of calendula with the moisturizing benefits of shea butter, making it ideal for dry or irritated skin. Follow this simple guide to create your own homemade salve.

Calendula Salve with Shea Butter Ingredients:

• 16 oz. calendula-infused extra-virgin olive oil (If you’re new to this, see my article: How to Infuse Calendula in Oil )
• 2 oz. shea butter
• 2 oz. beeswax pastilles

Tools Needed

• Double boiler or a makeshift one with a pot and a stainless steel bowl
• Jars with lids (4 oz. glass mason jars recommended)
• Kitchen scale to weigh ingredients

How to Make Calendula Salve with Shea Butter

1. Prepare Your Work Area: Before you begin, make sure your work area is clean and you have all the necessary tools and ingredients within reach. Label your jars, if you like, for a personal touch.

2. Weigh Your Ingredients: Using your kitchen scale, weigh out the shea butter and beeswax. Accuracy is key to ensuring your salve has the perfect consistency.

3. Set Up Your Double Boiler: If you don’t have a double boiler, you can easily make one. Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and place it on the stove. Then, put a stainless steel bowl that fits snugly over the pot. The bowl should not touch the water.

4. Melt Shea Butter and Beeswax: Add the shea butter and beeswax to the bowl of your makeshift double boiler. Turn the heat to medium and bring the water to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally as the shea butter and beeswax melt together, forming a uniform mixture.

5. Add Calendula Oil: Once the shea butter and beeswax have completely melted and combined, carefully add the calendula-infused olive oil to the bowl. Stir the mixture gently to ensure all the ingredients are well incorporated.

6. Pour Into Jars: Have your clean jars ready nearby. Once the mixture is fully combined and still in liquid form, carefully pour it into the jars. The bowl will be hot, so use a pot holder or towel to handle it.

7. Cool and Solidify: Place the filled jars on a stable counter or table to cool. Avoid putting lids on the jars while they are cooling to prevent condensation from forming inside. Once the salve has solidified and cooled completely, secure the lids on the jars.

8. Label and Store: Label your jars if you haven’t done so already. Store them in a cool, dry place. The salve is best used within a year for maximum effectiveness.

How to Use Calendula Salve with Shea Butter

Apply a small amount of the calendula salve to the affected area of the skin. It’s great for cuts, scrapes, bruises, insect bites, dry skin, and even mild burns. Its natural ingredients make it suitable for the whole family.

Enjoy your homemade Calendula Salve with Shea Butter! Remember, this salve is for external use only. Always patch test on a small area of your skin before widespread use.

Notes

• Oil Choices: While this recipe uses extra virgin olive oil for the calendula infusion, feel free to experiment with other oils to suit your preferences or to address specific skin needs. Coconut oil is great for its antimicrobial properties, jojoba oil closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum, and sweet almond oil is excellent for its gentle, nourishing qualities. Each oil brings its own benefits and can subtly alter the texture and absorption rate of your salve.
• Scaling the Recipe: This recipe is designed to fill approximately six 4 oz. jars, but it can easily be scaled up or down based on your needs. If you’re making gifts, preparing for a craft fair, or just stocking up for personal use, you can double or halve the quantities as needed. Just ensure that the ratios of the ingredients remain the same for consistency in texture and effectiveness. When scaling the recipe, remember to adjust the number of jars and the amount of water in your double boiler accordingly.

Experimenting with different base oils and adjusting the batch size allows you to customize the salve to your liking, making this recipe truly your own.