Calendula is our Herb of the Month, and we thought we’d take the opportunity to feature its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in a DIY recipe just for you!

This sun salve is aptly titled after calendula’s common name, “Bride of the Sun”. Calendula has been known to promote skin regeneration and wound healing for hundreds of years, which makes it the perfect featured ingredient in a suncare recipe. Try whipping one up before camping, heading to the mountains, or anywhere else you’ll be basking in the heat.

Ingredients

Directions

Step 1: Fill a small pot 1/3 of the way full with water and place on a stove top element.

Step 2: In a non-reactive bowl (glass is perfect!) combine shea butter, beeswax, coconut, calendula, carrot tissue and raspberry oil, then place on top of the pot.

Step 3: Set the element to low heat and slowly melt down the oils, beeswax and shea butter (this is the double boiler method!) while stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Once it has all melted down (beeswax will be the last to do so), turn off the element, remove from heat, add your vitamin E and mix well.

Step 5: Gradually sprinkle in the zinc oxide; we recommend sprinkling in little bits at a time while stirring with a whisk. This can be easier with a helper - one person can sprinkle while the other stirs!

Step 6: Add your essential oils and mix well.

Step 7: Pour out into your favourite container(s) - the lotion is soft enough to be poured into a pump or squeeze bottle and firm enough to scoop with fingers from a jar or tin.

Apply salve before camping, a hike through the mountains, or heading out for some fun in the sun!