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

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.