A Gentle Calendula & Honey Face Cleanser

By Iris Marlow·March 20, 2026· 5 min read

Warm a spoonful of raw honey until it loosens, then whisk in a strong calendula tea and a splash of castile soap. That is the whole recipe — nothing that would frighten a windowsill herb.

Massage a small amount onto damp skin in slow circles, giving the calendula a moment to soothe. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with the softest cloth you own.

Store the cleanser in a small pump bottle in the bathroom cupboard and make a fresh batch every two weeks. Skincare, at its best, is a small ritual on a short timer.

Gentle Calendula & Honey Face Cleanser

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

—

Additional

20 minutes steeping

Total

35 minutes

Servings

4 oz

Ingredients

Batch

Units

1/4 cup raw honey
2 tablespoons strong brewed calendula tea, cooled
2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
1 teaspoon jojoba oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
3 drops chamomile essential oil (optional)
1 tablespoon dried calendula petals (for the tea)
4 oz pump bottle, sterilised

Instructions

1Steep the dried calendula petals in 1/4 cup of just-boiled water for 20 minutes, covered.
2Strain the tea through fine mesh and let it cool completely to room temperature.
3Warm the honey gently in a bowl set over hot water until it loosens and pours easily.
4Whisk 2 tablespoons of the cooled calendula tea into the honey until smooth.
5Add the castile soap slowly, stirring rather than beating to avoid a bowl of foam.
6Stir in the jojoba oil and vitamin E oil until the mixture looks glossy.
7Add the chamomile essential oil, if using, and give it one last gentle stir.
8Funnel the cleanser into a sterilised pump bottle.
9Label with the date — this is a fresh product, not a shelf-stable one.
10To use, massage a small pump onto damp skin in slow circles for 30 seconds.
11Rinse with warm water and pat dry with the softest cloth you own.
12Store in a cool bathroom cupboard and make a fresh batch every two weeks.