Noticing redness on your face due to long-term sun exposure or sudden acne flare-ups due to pregnancy hormones? You may want to consider adding Calendula oil to your pregnancy beauty routine. Calendula oil is in fact a multi-tasking skincare oil that boasts anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties to calm inflammation and redness, and give your skin some much-needed TLC.
Curious to know more about the benefits of calendula oil for the skin and how it can improve your complexion during pregnancy? Keep reading to find out all the deets.
What Is Calendula Oil?
Calendula oil is a pressed oil that is extracted from the flower of the same plant. The plant belongs to the marigold family and has been used for medicinal purposes since the 12th century.
The oil is very bright and mildly fragrant and is commonly used in many sunscreens for its skin-saving qualities. Additionally, it is used in herbal concoctions to treat mild skin inflammation and promote wound healing.
5 Reasons To Add Calendula Oil To Your Pregnancy Skincare Routine
It Is Super Hydrating
Calendula extract is beneficial in boosting hydration and firmness in your skin. It delivers intense moisturisation to your skin and prevents transepidermal water loss to maintain essential skin functions, such as skin cell turnover to prevent dryness and redness. Additionally, it increases skin tautness and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by protecting against collagen degeneration due to environmental insults like exposure to the sun rays and pollution.
It Protects Against Radiation Damage
Calendula contains vital antioxidants, such as polyphenols that reduce radiation damage. A study published by the National Library of Medicine revealed that the topical application of calendula oil can reduce the effects of radiation-induced skin damage, such as redness and inflammation. In addition to this, the study also found that calendula extracts can reduce radiation-induced skin toxicity as well. Hence, to reap the right benefits of this oil, make sure to use it in the form of sunscreen.
It Helps Manage Acne
Calendula extracts possess antibacterial and antifungal properties that help prevent the growth of acne-causing bacteria in your skin and reduce future acne breakouts. Plus, the oil also boasts anti-inflammatory properties that help quell inflammation caused due to skin conditions, such as rosacea and eczema. It also helps promote the quick healing of acne scars by boosting collagen production and enhancing the new skin cell regeneration process.
It Minimises The Risk Of Pigmentation
Prolonged UV exposure can cause signs of photo ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles, as well as pigmentation. But the good news is that calendula contains some super skin-saving antioxidants, such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and terpenoids that reduce free radical damage and minimise the risk of pigmentation and dullness in your skin.
It Promotes Wound Healing
Calendula contains essential vitamins and minerals and boasts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, as well as antibacterial properties. These qualities boost your skin’s restorative powers and wound healing by promoting the production of new skin cells at an increased rate. Calendula oil is also helpful in treating diaper rashes in children. So, if you want to quickly relieve your kiddo’s diaper rashes, then look for products with calendula oil.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Calendula?
Calendula works well for all skin types, but as always, if you are concerned about any adverse side effects or potential breakouts, conduct a patch test before adding calendula-based products to your pregnancy skincare routine. Also, if you are allergic to certain flowers, such as daisies, ragweed, or chrysanthemums, then it’s best you avoid calendula extract, as it can irritate your skin. Otherwise, you are all good to go!
How To Use Calendula In Your Pregnancy Skincare Routine
While you can always use calendula oil in its pure form, or calendula-infused serums, and lotions, the best way to reap the benefits of this skincare ingredient is by using it in the form of sunscreen. Opt for pregnancy-safe sunscreen and make sure that it has mineral-based ingredients that do not cause any adverse effects on your skin. For instance, you can go for The Moms Co.’s natural daily sunscreen, which is infused with zinc oxide, licorice extracts, chamomile, and calendula extracts that protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays and reduce sun-induced damage.
While licorice extracts and chamomile extracts work to reduce dark spots and pigmentation in your skin, calendula extracts help soothe redness and inflammation caused due to the sun’s rays. Plus, all these ingredients are natural skin hydrators, which ensure your skin remains well-nourished and moisturised at all times.
To put it simply, calendula oil acts as a great protectant against the sun and provides the ultimate nourishment to your skin.
Calendula oil is undoubtedly the ultimate skincare oil that soothes all kinds of skin inflammation and redness. It has tons of skin-saving qualities, and from moisturisation to managing acne, this beloved skincare oil can do it all! A Calendula oil-based sunscreen is a perfect addition to your pregnancy skincare routine as it offers broad-spectrum protection against UV rays, protects against free radical damage, and also relaxes swelling and irritation caused by sun exposure.
Also read:
Pregnancy-safe winter skincare rules: Wondering how to get super-smooth and nourished skin in the colder months? These pregnancy-safe skincare steps have got you covered.
Vitamin E in pregnancy skincare routine: Here’s how vitamin E helps improve your skin tone and integrity during pregnancy.
Feature Image: Alia Bhatt/ Instagram
