DIY Calendula Salve for Chapped, Itchy Skin

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Last Updated on February 20, 2026 by Kiersten James

Learn how to make a gentle and effective DIY calendula salve for eczema, chapped winter skin, and dry hands.

When our northeastern air turns crisp and dry, it only takes a few weeks for my hands to go from mildly chapped to itchy, cracked, and bleeding. This, of course, is followed by the usual eczema flare-ups.

Many creams I’ve purchased from the store never seemed to work, except perhaps to alleviate some of the dryness. I tried drinking more water to hydrate, wearing gloves while washing dishes, applying cream THEN wearing gloves…literally nothing helped.

Amish Remedies Save The Day Once Again

During one of our trips to Pennsylvania, I purchased a tin of calendula salve that had been recommended by one of the girls working at a local Amish market stand. Embarrassingly, it sat in my cabinet for months until cold weather rolled around – for which I completely forgot that I even had it.

One Saturday morning while my daughter was at dance, I was cleaning out the shelves to dust and found the little metal tin shoved in a corner.

My hands were in their usual cracked, itchy state, so I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be the perfect solution I didn’t know existed.

I immediately did some research and pulled out every Amish home remedy book I own to try to recreate this treasure in a tin. I found a few variations of it and experimented with different essential oils for a few weeks until I ended up with a delicate, non-greasy, soothing formula.

This is the calendula salve recipe I rely on year-round. I use it so regularly that I didn’t even consider including it on my blog until my husband asked if I had shared it yet…so here it is!

Calendula for Skin Healing

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, has been used for centuries in herbal medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.

The little orange-yellow flowers are packed with healing compounds that make calendula a perfect ingredient for treating skin ailments like eczema, dry skin, chapped lips, and cracked hands.

Benefits of Calendula for the Skin

• Reduces inflammation: flavonoids and triterpenoids in calendula help calm angry, irritated skin and reduce redness.
• Helps the skin repair: calendula promotes cell regeneration, making it effective for soothing eczema, burns, and rashes.
• Soothes dry, chapped skin: deeply hydrating and protects the skin from environmental stressors and toxins.
• Gentle for sensitive skin: unlike synthetic creams bought at the store or obtained through prescriptions, calendula is very mild and safe for all ages – including babies.

Common Skin Ailments Calendula Can Help With

• Chapped, cracked winter skin
• Dry hands from washing dishes
• Itchy, irritated eczema patches
• Minor cuts, scrapes, and burns
• Rough heels and elbows

When infused into an oil and then turned into a salve, calendula’s healing properties are transformed into a portable, easy to apply preparation.

First Things First: Make a Calendula Oil Infusion

An herbal oil infusion is a process where dried herbs are steeped in carrier oils, which allow the oil to absorb the plant’s medicinal properties.

Oil infusions preserve the potency of the herb and produce a versatile oil that can be added to salves, lotions, and balms.

For this salve, dried calendula flowers are infused into a high-quality olive oil to extract the skin-healing properties.

How to Make Homemade Calendula Oil

If you don’t want to make your own infused oil, you can buy it here.

First, choose your carrier oil. Olive, sweet almond, or jojoba oil are great choices for skin-friendly herbal oil infusions. I use this first cold-pressed olive oil from Italy.

Be sure to use dried calendula flowers only. Fresh flowers contain moisture which can cause spoilage. If you are growing calendula in your garden, you’ll need to harvest the flowers and dry them by hanging or with a dehydrator before continuing to the oil infusion steps.

Instructions:

1. In a small pot or double boiler, add 1/2 cup dried calendula flowers then cover with enough oil to submerge.
2. Simmer over low heat for 2 to 3 hours. Stir every now and then to agitate the oil.
3. Strain the flowers with a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
4. Store the oil in a clean glass jar that has a tight lid, or use it immediately where deep skin hydration is needed.

Storage & Shelf Life of Homemade Calendula Oil

Homemade calendula oil can last a good while if you make and store it properly. A few things affect its shelf life:

1. Carrier oil: the shelf life will match the shortest shelf life of your choice of oil. Olive oil usually lasts 12 to 18 months, while sweet almond oil is closer to 6 to 12 months.
2. Storage conditions: heat, light, and air will make the oil go rancid faster. If you keep your calendula oil in a dark glass jar, tightly sealed, in a cool cabinet (or even in the fridge), it will last much longer.
3. Moisture content: if flowers weren’t fully dried before infusing, any trapped water can cause spoilage, mold, or bacterial growth.

DIY Calendula Salve for Eczema & Dry, Cracked Skin

Eczema is often triggered by a weakened skin barrier, which allows moisture to escape and irritants to enter. This calendula salve acts as a protective layer, trapping moisture while calming the inflammation that leads to flare-ups.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup calendula oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles (or soy, if vegan)

Instructions:

In a mason jar or double boiler, melt down the beeswax pastilles into the calendula oil. Stir continuously until the beeswax is fully melted.

Pour the oil mixture into two clean 2oz tins or one 4oz glass jar. Allow to cool completely before putting the lid on.

Store in a dark, cool location like a cabinet or medicine chest.

How to Use Calendula Salve:

Apply a small amount of salve to the irritated area of skin as often as needed. This is gentle enough for babies and can be used on flaky infant skin, where needed.

Use the calendula salve as needed throughout your day can help prevent eczema flare-ups, repair chapped winter skin, and soothe hands exposed to water and cold air.

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This information is intended for educational purposes only. The content created for www.naturalhomeapothecary.com has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider for personal healthcare decision-making guidance.

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