Calendula is a charming and vigorous garden plant with bright, toothy orange and yellow blooms. Its name comes from the root word for “calendar,” well-known for its robust ability to thrive in a wide range of climates and bloom for most months of the year. The traditional use of Calendula is legendary – the flower petals are edible and add brilliant color to green salads, the bright orange flower heads have been utilized as a fabric dye, and various extracts and infusions of the plant have been revered in skincare and cosmetic preparations for hundreds of years.

While many formulators are familiar with the use of Calendula Infused Oil in their products (flowers macerated in a carrier oil base), Calendula CO2 extract allows for greater product consistency along with the ability to choose the carrier oil(s) in which it is paired with. Generally, a Calendula Infused Oil requires approximately a half pound of flowers to make one kilo of oil. By comparison, it takes approximately 40 pounds of flowers to make one kilo of Calendula CO2 total extract. In addition, the lower heat CO2 process provides a more gentle extraction of constituents that may enhance stability and shelf-life.[1]

While faradiol monoesters are responsible for many of the skincare benefits of Calendula CO2, there are dozens of other components – phytosterols, beneficial lipids, carotenoids, and antioxidants – that complement and enhance the overall effects, making it an ideal addition to topical preparations, facial care, scalp care, and body oils for all skin types. 

Perfumers may find the unusual aroma of Calendula CO2 an interesting addition to woody, herbaceous, and earthy accords, or might use it to lend a beautiful golden-orange hue to formulations. It is utilized in extravagant compositions to achieve a ‘crushed stem’ effect or to liven up florals such as gardenia and lilac. Perfumer Jeanne Rose suggests pairing with Ambrette Seed to enhance the lovely 'toast smell' of both.

Please remember that Calendula CO2 has a waxy texture and a deep orange color that will appear in the final product. For topical products and cosmetics, a dilution of 0.1 - 0.3% of the total formula is suggested. Up to 1 - 3% dilution may be suitable for some applications.[2]