Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Also known as Marigold Flower Extract, Calendula Extract, Pot marigold extract
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
The CIR Expert Panel assessed Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract as Safe (S) — no formulation conditions imposed — citing the 2001 initial assessment (IJT 20(S2):13-20) and the 2010 reassessment (IJT 29(Suppl 4):221-243). Notably, 'Calendula Officinalis' (the unspecified-preparation entry) was found Insufficient (I) in 2001, while flower-derived preparations including Flower Extract, Flower, Flower Oil, and Seed Oil were specifically affirmed Safe in the 2010 reassessment. A 2022 randomized clinical trial (PMID 34674610) demonstrated faster epithelization and healing speed for acute hand wounds treated with standardized Calendula extract versus mineral oil control (8.6 vs 13.2 days). Asteraceae cross-reactivity remains an established concern: a 2001 patch test study of 443 patients (PMID 11722485) found 2.03% positive reactions to marigold, and a 2002 review (PMID 12492516) lists Calendula among 15 Compositae species suspected of contact sensitization, with sesquiterpene lactones as the principal allergens.
Wound-healing acceleration: 2022 randomized clinical trial demonstrated faster epithelization (8.6 vs 13.2 days) and healing speed in acute hand wounds versus mineral oil control
Anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing activity attributed to triterpenoid saponins (faradiol esters), flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, narcissin, isorhamnetin glycosides), and carotenoids
CIR-assessed Safe (S) for cosmetic use without formulation conditions per the 2010 reassessment — among the cleanest CIR verdicts for any botanical extract in this corpus
Traditional and contemporary cosmetic use in soothing creams, after-sun, infant skincare (e.g., diaper rash), and sensitive-skin formulations
Plant: Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae/Compositae family); the flower-derived extract differs from the seed oil and the unspecified whole-plant preparation in both composition and CIR verdict
Asteraceae/Compositae family cross-reactivity: individuals with documented contact allergy to ragweed, arnica, chamomile, feverfew, or other Asteraceae plants may experience allergic contact dermatitis from Calendula extract; sesquiterpene lactones are the principal sensitizing constituents (PMID 12492516, PMID 11722485)
Direct contact sensitization to Calendula officinalis observed in approximately 2% of dermatitis-clinic patch-tested patients; patch testing with Calendula extract directly is needed for diagnosis since Compositae-mix screens may miss it
The CIR distinguished 'Calendula Officinalis' (whole-plant, unspecified preparation, Finding=I/Insufficient) from 'Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract' (Finding=S/Safe) — the favorable verdict applies specifically to flower-derived preparations covered by the 2010 reassessment
Variable constituent profiles across extraction solvents (water, glycerin, propylene glycol, ethanol) and supercritical CO2 extracts; sesquiterpene lactone content and resulting sensitization potential differ by preparation method
CIR Quick Reference Table (September 2022) — Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract row: Finding=S, Citation=IJT 20(S2):13-20, 2001; IJT 29…
“Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract | S | | IJT 20(S2):13-20, 2001; IJT 29(Suppl 4):221-243, 2010”— QuickReferenceTable_AllConclusionTypes.pdf, Calendula Officinalis section