Cinnamon Can Benefit Your Skin

Cinnamon grows abundantly in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and other Asian countries and people out there have been using cinnamon powder for various medicinal purposes including for skin disorders.

One great thing about cinnamon is there are so many ways to use it – cinnamon oil, powder, mask, etc.

Cinnamon is proving to be a spice that not only adds flavor to various dishes but can also cure many infections and diseases.

There are several researches being conducted all over the world about the benefits of cinnamon for diabetes, hair loss, cholesterol, memory, arthritis, skin and more.

A topical application of cinnamon with honey is said to get rid of pimples, ringworms, eczema and other skin infections.

Cinnamon essential oil is often used in aromatherapy and it combines well with lemon, lavender, cardamom, geranium and rosemary essential oils. Cinnamon essential oil can be used as a massage oil to cure arthritis, general pain and such.

Cinnamon Benefits for the Skin

Cinnamon has been used for centuries in traditional medicines  in Asian cultures-Chinese and Indian. Among the various benefits which cinnamon offers, one of the most important is its role in maintaining healthy skin.

In addition to this, it can also help remedy various skin related diseases and infections. Thus, cinnamon can be used in multifarious various to improve your skin.

Here are some of the benefits of cinnamon for skin –

9 ways cinnamon will benefit your skin

1. Plumps Skin

Cinnamon is said to improve fine lines by plumping the skin.

This means that using cinnamon can stimulate blood vessels and bring blood to the surface of the skin. Use a mixture of 3 drops essential oil of cinnamon and 2 tbsp olive oil or petroleum jelly. Apply this mixture to fine lines on the skin, taking care to avoid the eyes.

The skin soon plumps out and fine lines become less visible. This can even be done to plump up lips and can be used as an alternate to lip gloss.

2. Cleanses the Scalp

Cinnamon can also be used to nourish the scalp. Make a paste using 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp warm olive oil and 1 tbsp honey. Massage this into the scalp and leave on for 15 minutes.

Wash off after this using a normal shampoo. Cinnamon acts like an exfoliating agent to stimulate the scalp and provide nourishment to hair follicles.

3. Treatment for Eczema

Eczema is a condition in which skin gets  inflamed and irritated. A large number of medical conditions are grouped under the term ‘eczema’. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which is an inherited condition. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but the most important cause is an overactive response by the body’s immune system against an irritant or allergen.

Eczema can be a very irritating skin condition that leaves behind light colored patches.

Some people have found that using 1 tsp cinnamon powder and 1 tsp honey on these patches could provide relief.

However, this paste must not be used on the face for it can cause irritation. You are advised to perform a skin test before using cinnamon paste on the skin.

4. Treatment for Acne

Cinnamon is said to help with treatment of acne and pimples. Mix 1 tbsp cinnamon powder and 3 tbsp honey and apply this on pimples. Leave this paste overnight or for 20 minutes before washing with warm water.

Acne scars could dry out and skin could get rejuvenated.

This paste can also declog pores and bring oxygen and blood to the surface. However, this must not be used more than once a week since it could cause skin irritation.cinnamon for skin care

5. Antiseptic

Cinnamon has antiseptic properties. If you have an open cut or wound, just dust a pinch of cinnamon over it. Bacteria will be killed and the wound heals faster.

A large number of studies have determined the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of cinnamon.

As far back as 1978, a study reported the anti-fungal effects of o-methoxycinnamaldehyde from cinnamon. It was reported that this compound inhibited the growth and toxin production by the mycotoxin producing fungii.

It completely inhibited the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus at 100 microgram/ml and Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus versicolor at 200 microgram/ml.

A comparative analysis of the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity of 13 essential oils showed that the True Cinnamon bark oil had the highest anti-microbial activity.

It was particularly effective against resistant strains. The study was exhaustive and analysed the effect of the oils against 55 different bacterial strains. Thus, cinnamon can effectively be used to eliminate various bacterial strains.

Another study has shown that Cinnamon essential oils can help combat the infectious agents which are resistant to the traditional antibiotics, e.g. Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, it was found that Cinnamon oils are much more effective as compared to olive and paraffin oils in fighting Multi-Drug Resistant S. aureus.

Thus, cinnamon oils can be used to fight Staphylococcus infections.

Thus, the anti-microbial properties of cinnamon powder and its oils have been definitively proven in numerous studies. Since sepsis is an inflammation caused by infection, it can be inhibited by using Cinnamon extracts and oils. Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition which might result in septic shock and multi-organ failure.