Is calendula oil recommended for the stressed skin of pregnant women?

The calendula oil is a macerate obtained by soaking fresh or dried flowers of this plant in a neutral oil, typically sunflower oil, jojoba oil, or sesame oil. This ingredient is primarily known for its soothing properties, which come from its richness in flavonoids and terpenoids. Several studies have shown that these bioactive constituents are capable of inhibiting certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. The use of calendula is particularly recommended for sensitive skin or skin prone to inflammation. However, questions may arise about its safety for pregnant women.

When applied topically, calendula oil is suitable for the skin of pregnant women.

When it comes to oral intake, caution is advised. Indeed, calendula macerate is suspected of having potential uterine-stimulating effects, meaning it could trigger uterine contractions. These can be dangerous during pregnancy and increase the risk of miscarriage, particularly during the first and second trimesters. That's why the intake of uterine-stimulating substances is contraindicated for pregnant women, except under medical supervision. As for calendula oil, its potential uterine-stimulating action is currently only suspected, and there is very little information on this subject in the scientific literature. No hypothesis has been put forward about its possible mode of action.

Calendula oil could be beneficial during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks. Indeed, depending on the carrier oil used during maceration, it can be more or less rich in oleic acid, a fatty acid naturally present in sebum. Calendula oil could thus strengthen the hydrolipidic film on the skin's surface, thereby protecting the integrity of the skin barrier and reducing water loss. With increased hydration and flexibility, the skin would then be less prone to stretch marks. The calendula oil macerate also has an interesting healing potential, as demonstrated in various clinical studies. It can indeed stimulate fibroplasia, keratoplasia, and angiogenesis. This ingredient thus positively impacts the proliferative phases of the wound healing process, suggesting that it might possibly have an effect on purple stretch marks.

The potential use of calendula oil for performing perineal massages prior to childbirth has also been explored. These massages help prepare all the muscles of the perineum for childbirth and reduce the need for an episiotomy, a surgical procedure that involves incising the perineal muscles to facilitate the baby's passage during childbirth. A trial involving 234 women experiencing their first pregnancy was conducted. The volunteers were divided into two groups: the women in the first group were instructed to perform a ten-minute perineal massage daily from the 34th week of pregnancy until childbirth using calendula oil, while those in the second group did not perform any massage. The results of the study are compiled in the table below.

This study, however, did not demonstrate the benefit of calendula oil in preventing perineal tears during childbirth. Indeed, the results presented above are not significant, meaning they do not show a statistically valid difference between the use of calendula oil for massage and the absence of massage. That being said, the calendula macerate, which possesses moisturizing, healing, and soothing properties, remains an interesting ingredient for caring for the delicate skin of pregnant women.

• KEMPER K. Calendula (Calendula officinalis). The Longwood Herbal Task Force (1999).

• HALLAK M. & al. Perineal massage during pregnancy: a prospective controlled trial. The Israel Medical Association Journal (2008).

• NOHYNEK G. & al. Application of the threshold of toxicological concern approach for the safety evaluation of calendula flower (Calendula officinalis) petals and extracts used in cosmetic and personal care products. Food and Chemical Toxicology (2009).

• SNYDER P. W. & al. Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel amended safety assessment of Calendula officinalis-derived cosmetic ingredients. International Journal of Toxicology (2010).

• TRIPATHI D. K. & al. Organoleptic properties in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological activities of Calendula officinalis Linn: An over review. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research (2011).