Recently California Baby reformulated some of their products and many customers have not been happy. Not just because their favorite products changed, but apparently many parents are reporting babies burned or otherwise harmed by the new Calendula cream. Making the situation worse, California Baby doesn't seem to have responded well to customers. There was quite an uproar of angry parents posting on their Facebook wall. I was going to direct you to their page to read for yourself, but apparently they've deleted every comment that wasn't totally positive. Such a shame. I used to use some of their products when my daughter was a baby but between the problems with their reformulation and their terrible handling of the situation, I definitely won't be using them again.
For those of you who used to rely on the California Baby Calendula Cream and are looking for alternatives, try making your own. When you make your own products you can control what's in them.
I have spent the last couple of weeks since this issue came up researching DIY solutions. Here are a few to choose from so you can pick the one that fits your needs best.
DIY Calendula Oil:
The easiest solution is to make your own calendula oil using the Farmaesthetics recipe. To do this put 1/2 cup of dried calendula flowers in a mason jar. Fill the jar the rest of the way up with oil such as olive, almond, avocado (avocado has the highest Vitamin E content). I wouldn't use coconut oil because if it solidifies it may not infuse well. Add a 1-2 droppers of organic Vitamin E to preserve and stir. Put the jar in a paper bag to keep light out and let it sit for at least 2 weeks. Once it's infused strain out the flower and put into the storage container of your choice. You can use this oil as is on your baby or yourself.
You can often get dried calendula flowers from your local health food store or herbalist, but if you can't find them there, you can also order them from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Don't want to wait to make your own calendula oil? You can buy organic calendula oil from Mountain Rose Herbs also or from your local herbalist.
Shea Butter Calendula & Plaintain Healing Cream
Amanda McQuade Crawford, medical herbalist and host of Veria Living Network's That's a Relief, suggests melting 4 oz. of shea butter (I recommend unfiltered) and add some calendula flowers and plantain leaves and wilt them to evaporate some of their water. Strain and pour into a bowl with your favorite all natural lotion and mix. Pour into a small glass jar and shake. You can also add some German Blue Chamomile essential oil for extra healing.
Be sure to use this one up as the lotion's preservative will be diluted by adding the shea butter infusion and you will be introducing bacteria each time you put your fingers in the jar. However, it should last several weeks.
The shea butter is one of the most emollient and soothing remedies and will help calm and soothe things down.
Not Your Mother's Neosporin: Healing Salve for Minor Scrapes and Burns
Finally, Crunchy Betty has allowed me to share her Healing Salve for Minor Scrapes & Burns.
Crunchy Betty's recipe includes coconut oil, grapeseed oil, chamomile, calendula, plantain, lavendar, beeswax, and honey. For exact measurements check out Crunchy Betty's post. Heat the oils and herbs in a double boiler for 30 minutes, stirring occassionally. Strain the oil through a cheescloth or coffee filter. Wipe the remaining herbs out of your double boiler and heat your oil infusion on low. Add your beeswax and let it melt in while stirring. Pour the mixture into your sterilized container (I suggest using glass so you don't have to worry about the warm mixture leaching chemicals from plastic). Add a few drops of lavendar essential oil both for healing and pain relief. Add in raw, unfiltered (and local if possible) honey. Stir well. Continue stirring every 5 minutes until the salve sets up. To speed the process cool in the freezer, but you still need to stir every 5 minutes.
Like this recipe? Crunchy Betty also has the recipe in a printable form so you can save it.
When making your own products, use organic whenever possible, especially products for baby's sensitive systems. Organic ensures you aren't getting synthetic chemicals & contaminants, pesticide residues, or genetically modified ingredients. Also, always make sure the storage containers you use are sterile to avoid introducing bacteria. For products that aren't preserved, or are mixed into other previously preserved products (like purchased lotions - even natural ones) be sure to use them up within a couple weeks. Any product you put your fingers in will go bad sooner because you introduce bacteria each time you put your fingers in. This is not to say they are dangerous or you shouldn't make them. You just have to accept they won't last forever and have a shelf life.
With these 3 great DIY alternatives to California Baby's Calendula Cream you never have to worry about a company reformulating your trusted product and you can add or subtract ingredients to customize it for your needs. And, it will cost you way less!
Happy mixing! If you try any of these recipes, please come back and tell me how they worked for you.
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