our skin is our largest organ. what we put on it easily enters the bloodstream and has affects on our bodies other systems. likewise, what we put in our bodies, in terms of food and nutrition, can affect the appearance of our skin. I really became interested in what goes into our skin during college. As I started to investigate what goes in my body, what is sprayed on our foods, I began to read labels and saw that chemicals are all around us.

I digress, this discussion of environmental chemicals is for a more in depth post and exploration to come, but for now, let me say that I am so excited to reconnect to skin care as self care through Herbal Academy’s Botanical Skin Care course and the amazing recipe book. I’m looking forward to learning more about the skin as an organ and what herbs support the health of our bodies and environments.

Last week, for valentine’s day I made this calendula sugar scrub and let me tell you, it is beyond decadent. i don’t eat sugar but i will most definitely use it on my skin. this calendula sugar scrub is like liquid sunshine + has been so nourishing to my dry, winter skin.

Scrubs are wonderful for removing dead skin cells, softening + brightening the skin, and helps promote the flow of blood and lymph, perfect for the cold stagnation and dryness of winter’s energetics.

Calendula is an amazing flower from the Aster family. It is warming, slightly drying and a demulcent, in its energetics. Used both internally and externally for fungal and candida infections. I often will throw dry calendula into my winter broths and stocks for its gut healing properties as well.

Calendula is often used for its skin soothing properties. I long for the smell of the sticky resin of the flower on my fingertips when harvesting calendula in the summer. Calendula has an affinity for the skin. It is often used to soothe dry skin, for cuts + burns, bug bites, sprains + bruises, rashes + sunburns. Calendula is antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, it is vulnerary and contains salicylic acid so it works wonderfully to ease the pain associated with the skin, soothing itchy, dry skin. Which is one of the reasons I love it in the winter, a dose of sunshine. You can even use it for old scars because of its regenerative effects.

With permission from Herbal Academy, I’m grateful to share this recipe from Botanical Skin Care Recipe Book with you.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (4 fl oz) coconut oil

1/2 cup (4 fl oz) sweet almond or grapeseed oil

1/2 calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower

2 cups cane sugar (I used organic sugar)

20-30 drops essential oil of your choice (optional, but I used lavender)

Directions

Combine the coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and calendula in a double boiler over low heat (or a glass or ceramic bowl or canning jar over a small saucepan of simmering water), and let infuse for 4 hours, stirring occasionally, and monitoring the temperature with a candy thermometer to be certain it stays below 140 degrees F.

Remove from heat and strain the calendula-infused oil. (If desired, you can leave the calendula petals in the oil, just be sure to use a drain strainer in the shower!)

In a bowl, combine the calendula-infused oil and essential oil (if using) and stir thoroughly.

Add sugar and stir to combine.

Label, and store in a glass jar in a cool dark place for up to 6-12 months.

Use as an all-over body scrub during a bath or shower. Do be careful as the oil from the scrub will make for a slippery tub, and be sure to wipe down the tub after use”