DIY Calendula Calming Skin Cream - Handmade Master-Class (Updated Version - Sound has been modified), by Rise & Shine 369 on YouTube. 2 min 56 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 56 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes, plus 4 to 6 weeks
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Pick fully open calendula flowers on a dry, sunny morning. Lay them on a tray in a warm, airy room for a day or two until most of the moisture has gone.
Fill a clean, dry jar loosely with the flowers and pour olive oil over them. Add enough oil to sit about 2 cm above the petals.
Seal the jar and write the date on the lid. Leave it on a sunny windowsill for 4 to 6 weeks and shake it gently every day or two.
Line a sieve with muslin and set it over a clean jar. Pour the oil through, then squeeze the cloth to press out the last of the oil.
Measure 100 ml of the infused oil into a heatproof jug and add about 10 g of grated beeswax for a firm cream.
Stand the jug in a pan of simmering water and stir until the beeswax melts completely. Keep the water out of the jug.
For a lighter, lotion-like cream, warm 100 ml of distilled or rose water to the same temperature and pour it in a slow, thin stream while stirring.
Take the jug off the heat and blend with a stick blender for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cream turns pale and thickens.
Pour the cream into small sterilised jars and let it cool uncovered. Screw the lids on, label the date and store it somewhere cool and dark.
Tips and common mistakes
Let the flowers dry properly before infusing, or trapped moisture can make the oil go rancid or mouldy.
If you add water to the recipe, stir in a preservative and keep the cream in the fridge, because water-based creams spoil within a week or two.
Keep the heat low when melting the beeswax and never leave hot oil unattended.
Rub a little cream on your inner arm and wait 24 hours before using it on your face or on broken skin.
Questions
How long does homemade calendula cream last?
An oil-and-beeswax cream with no water in it keeps for around 6 to 12 months in a cool, dark cupboard. Any cream made with water needs a preservative and should be used within a few weeks from the fridge.
Can I use fresh flowers instead of dried ones?
You can, but fresh petals carry water that shortens the shelf life of the oil. Wilt them for a day or two first so most of the moisture evaporates.
What can I use instead of beeswax?
Candelilla wax or carnauba wax work as plant-based thickeners. Use roughly half the amount, then add a little more if the cream sets too soft.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
