When I stumbled across the research on calendula in prevention of skin irritation during radiation treatment for breast cancer, I decided to do some evaluation of my own. Here is one pharmacist’s opinion (mine) of some of the formulations currently available. I hope my comments help you narrow down whether one of these formulations of calendula might be a good choice for you. My favorites? Depends on whether you’re looking for a good first aid ointment, hand cream for very dry skin, or something to apply after a radiation treatment. Here’s the group:
Calendula Ointment by Boiron (France)
Description: 1 oz (30 gm) tube. Official product listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. Calendula officinalis 4% infused into white petrolatum (petroleum jelly) with no parabens (preservative). Directions are to apply thin layer to clean skin 3 times daily or as needed.
Pros: Product used in well-designed clinical trial that significantly reduced incidence and severity of skin damage from radiation in breast cancer patients. Only two ingredients. White petrolatum traps moisture into the top layer of the skin.
Cons: Stiff, sticky and greasy to apply. Stains clothing. Participants in trial complained that it was unpleasant to use.
Calendula Gel by Boiron (France)
Description: 1 oz (30 gm) tube. Official product listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. Calendula officinalis 7% in a clear gel with no parabens (preservative). Directions are to apply a thin layer to clean skin 3 times daily or as needed.
Pros: Clear gel with cooling effect; easy to apply, quickly absorbed. Seems as effective as the ointment formulation. No petroleum products.
Cons: May sting if applied to broken skin.
Calendula Ointment by Weleda (Switzerland)
Description: 0.88 oz (25 gm) tube. Calendula officinalis 5 gm in a smooth ointment base that smells faintly like lanolin. Ingredients include beeswax, lanolin, lanolin alcohols, and sesame oil. Directions are to apply to affected area 3-4 times daily.
Pros: Creamy ointment that spreads easily. No petroleum products.
Cons: Greasy and sticks to clothing. Faint lanolin smell. May cause skin reaction due to significant lanolin content.
Calendula Salve by MJ’s Herbals
Description: 1 oz (30 gm) jar. Certified organic ingredients: calendula blossoms and Vitamin E oil in a base of olive oil and beeswax.
Pros: Translucent ointment in a glass jar that fits easily into your hand. Pleasant botanical scent, easy to apply and spreads very easily. No petroleum products.
Cons: Greasy and sticks to clothing.
Arbordoun’s Abundantly Herbal Calendula Cream
Description: 4 oz (120 gm) plastic jar. Prepared by hand with organic ingredients by woman-owned business on Lopez Island. Herbal extracts of calendula, oregon grape, comfrey, and aloe in a base of olive oil, vegetable glycerin, beeswax, vitamin E oil, lavender oil and citrus seed extract.
Pros: Spreads smoothly and soaks in after about 5 minutes. Lavender fragrance. Generous amount for the price. No petroleum products. Made by hand in Washington State by a woman owned business.
Cons: Calendula concentration not specified; also contains oregon grape and comfrey. Is oily when first applied, but will soak in and leave no film after about 5 minutes. It’s easy to over-apply it though, leaving an oily film.
Calendula Oil by Weleda (Switzerland)
Description: 0.34 oz (10 ml) vial of oil. Calendula officinalis extract and chamomile extract in sweet almond oil with fragrance and small amounts of limonene, linalool, and geraniol.
Pros: Oil soaks in after a while. Clean, geranium-like scent.
Cons: No applicator. Oily, with a noticable scent. Leaves an oily film that can stick to clothing.
Out of these 6 formulations, here are my personal and professional recommendations:
For prevention of radiation skin burn or breakdown, I recommend Calendula gel by Boiron because it’s easy to apply, cooling, and leaves no film to stick to clothing.
For first aid for burns, cuts and skin irritations, my choice is MJ’s Calendula Salve. It spreads smoothly, and the jar fits nicely in your hand.
For dry, itchy skin in place of a using a prescription or non-prescription cortisone cream or ointment, my recommendation is Arbordoun’s Abundantly Herbal Calendula Cream. It seems to seal in moisture and relieve dryness best. But it barely beat out Boiron’s Calendula gel, which I also found quite effective in relieving skin dryness and itching.
This is the third in a series featuring topics relating to breast cancer. Part 4 discusses products for nausea and vomiting.
Dr. Louise Achey, Doctor of Pharmacy is a 30-year veteran of pharmacology. Please send your questions and comments to www.AskDrLouise.com.
Where can I buy calendula cream with the highest percentage of calendula?
Our nature doctor in Denmark says it is possible to buy calendula cream in Switzerland with a high percentage. I have not been able to find it.
Thanks for having a site that is independent and objective.
David Kirk-CAmpbell