If you love making your own herbal remedies, this Calendula Salve with Shea Butter will quickly become a favorite in your home apothecary. It’s soothing, deeply moisturizing, and gentle enough for everyday use. Once you make a batch, you’ll wonder why you ever bought salve from the store!
Calendula is known for its ability to calm and restore the skin, making it a wonderful addition to any natural skincare routine. Paired with rich shea butter and golden beeswax, it creates a silky, nourishing balm that melts beautifully into your skin.
If you’re new to herbal oil infusions, start with my full tutorials on How to Infuse Calendula in Oil and How to Make Yarrow Infused Oil. And if you love experimenting with herbal blends, try my Easy Calendula Yarrow Salve Recipe next—it’s another favorite around here.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 16 oz. calendula-infused olive oil – Learn how to make it here: How to Infuse Calendula in Oil
- 2 oz. shea butter – deeply moisturizing and softening
- 2 oz. beeswax pastilles – gives your salve its perfect, scoopable texture
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 workspace.
Wipe down your counters, gather your ingredients, and line up your jars.
2. Melt the shea butter and beeswax.
In your double boiler, melt both ingredients over low to medium heat until completely liquified. Stir gently.
3. Add the calendula oil.
Pour your calendula-infused oil into the melted mixture and stir slowly to combine.
Tip: For extra skin-soothing power, swap in a few tablespoons of yarrow-infused oil.
4. Pour into jars.
Carefully pour the warm mixture into clean jars. Allow them to cool uncovered until firm.
5. Label and store.
Once cooled, label your jars and store them in a cool, dark place. They’ll keep for about a year.
How to Use Calendula Salve with Shea Butter
Massage a small amount onto dry or irritated skin. It’s wonderful for:
- Cracked hands and heels
- Minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Chapped lips
- Rough elbows or knees
- Gentle baby-care (like diaper-area protection)
This salve is safe for the whole family—just be sure to patch-test first.
Tips & Variations
- Try different oils: Coconut oil gives a firmer salve with antimicrobial benefits, while sweet almond oil makes it extra smooth.
- Scale it up: This recipe fills about six 4 oz. jars. Double it for gift giving or halve it for a small batch.
- Add essential oils: A drop or two of lavender or chamomile makes it extra calming.
FAQ
There’s something grounding about creating your own herbal salves—heating the oils, pouring them into jars, and knowing exactly what’s inside. With a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ve got a jar of pure, old-fashioned goodness ready for any skin need that comes your way.
Calendula Salve with Shea Butter
Equipment
- 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
Ingredients
- 16 oz. calendula-infused extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 oz. shea butter
- 2 oz. beeswax pastilles
Instructions
- Wipe down your counters, gather your ingredients, and line up your jars.
- In your double boiler, melt both ingredients over low to medium heat until completely liquified. Stir gently.
- Pour your calendula-infused oil into the melted mixture and stir slowly to combine.
- Carefully pour the warm mixture into clean jars. Allow them to cool uncovered until firm.
- Once cooled, label your jars and store them in a cool, dark place. They’ll keep for about a year.
Notes
- Try different oils: Coconut oil gives a firmer salve with antimicrobial benefits, while sweet almond oil makes it extra smooth.
- Scale it up: This recipe fills about six 4 oz. jars. Double it for gift giving or halve it for a small batch.
- Add essential oils: A drop or two of lavender or chamomile makes it extra calming.
Can’t wait to make this!
I have to try this. My skin is awful this time of year!
I am planting calendula in my garden this year, so I love seeing such a useful recipe for it!