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Plant extracts

Calendula (marigold) extract

Also listed as Calendula officinalis flower extract, pot marigold

A marigold extract in balms and body care for soothing and minor skin damage. Radiotherapy trials conflict: one large trial favoured it, another found no difference.

Limited evidence

What it is

Calendula flowers contain triterpenes, flavonoids and carotenoids with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects in lab and animal studies. It is a staple of baby balms, nappy creams and body lotions.

The most rigorous human tests come from breast cancer radiotherapy. A 254-patient trial found fewer moderate-to-severe skin reactions with a calendula ointment than with a standard trolamine cream (41% vs 63%); a later 420-patient blinded trial found a calendula cream no better than a simple aqueous cream.

How strong is the evidence?

Limited evidence

Two randomized trials in radiotherapy disagree, and both used medicinal-strength preparations rather than the low levels in most body products. Other evidence is small wound and nappy-rash studies plus lab work.

What it's used for, checked

Preventing radiation skin reactions

Mixed

One large trial favoured calendula over trolamine; a larger blinded trial found no difference from plain aqueous cream.

Soothing dry or irritated skin

Unproven

Plausible from lab work; not well tested at cosmetic levels.

Minor wounds and nappy rash

Unproven

Small studies only.

Who should be careful

  • A daisy-family (Compositae) plant: can trigger allergy in people sensitive to ragweed, chamomile or arnica.
  • During radiotherapy, use only skin products your treatment team approves.

The studies

Every citation is checked against its PubMed record.

  1. Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer.
    Pommier P, Gomez F, Sunyach MP, D'Hombres A, Carrie C, Montbarbon X · Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2004 · RCT

    254 women having breast radiotherapy were randomized to calendula ointment or trolamine cream; grade 2 or worse dermatitis occurred in 41% versus 63%, with less pain and fewer treatment interruptions on calendula.

  2. No differences between Calendula cream and aqueous cream in the prevention of acute radiation skin reactions--results from a randomised blinded trial.
    Sharp L, Finnilä K, Johansson H, Abrahamsson M, Hatschek T, Bergenmar M · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · 2013 · RCT

    Among 411 analysed breast cancer patients, a calendula cream was no better than a plain aqueous cream at preventing radiation skin reactions (23% vs 19%), and patient-reported symptoms did not differ.