Cinnamon Benefits For Skin: How To Use And Side Effects

Cinnamon is a spice known for its culinary use and medicinal benefits for good health. However, you may also use cinnamon for skin care issues and improve skin quality. Every part of the tree, including the leaves and roots, has amazing skin care benefits.

Cinnamon has antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties (1). These properties, along with its sweet fragrance, make it a wonderful ingredient to add to your daily skin care routine. There are several DIY cinnamon remedies to improve your skin. This article discusses the benefits of cinnamon, how to use it, and its side effects. Keep reading

Know Your Ingredient: Cinnamon

What Is It?
A light brown spice obtained from an aromatic tree bark.

What Are Its Benefits?
It is claimed to treat wrinkles, acne, inflammation, and skin damage and brighten the skin.

Who Can Use It?
It can be used by people of all skin types of all age groups to treat different skin problems.

How Often?
Skin care products containing cinnamon can be used every day.

Caution
Cinnamon should be diluted before applying directly on the skin. It may cause irritation, discoloration, or burning sensation.

Benefits Of Cinnamon For The Skin

Cinnamon extracts can help improve common skin conditions and have numerous benefits. They include:

• Has Antimicrobial Properties: Cinnamon oil has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties against some bacteria and fungi, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans(2 ). Staphylococcus aureus causes skin infections, such as abscesses (boils), furunclesⁱ  An inflamed, painful, under-the-skin boil that develops when one or more hair follicles become infected. , and cellulitisⁱ  A prevalent bacterial skin infection that makes the skin around the infection red, swollen, and painful. (3). Candida albicans cause skin infections, erythemaⁱ  Redness of the skin, possibly due to sunburn or excess friction, that may be widespread or localized. , skin thickening, and hyperkeratosisⁱ  A condition characterized by the thickening of the keratin-based outer layer of the skin, which may be brought on by chronic inflammation. (4).

Cinnamon is often used in skincare and in the treatment of wounds due to its powerful antimicrobial properties. A 2019 study in the International Wound Journal shows that preparing bandages with cinnamon extract can effectively control fungal infections caused by fungi species, such as C. albicans. Hence, the use of such natural ingredients in wound healing can help reduce concerns about the long-term side effects of topical treatments.

Antifungal Activity Of Cinnamon Bandages

• Promotes Wound Healing: Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, an antimicrobial compound active against against P.aeruginosa strains commonly found in skin wounds and infections. An animal study found that cinnamaldehyde inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa in skin wounds and accelerated healing (5 ).
• Soothes Pain: Cinnamon bark essential oil extracted from Cinnamomum zeylanicum is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to soothe aching joints. It works as an anti-inflammatory agent. However, further research is required to determine its clinical efficacy (6).
• Reduces Acne: Topical cinnamon gel can soothe mild to moderate acne (7). It decreases the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions and reduces other associated symptoms like redness and excess sebum production. Cinnamon contains eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and coumarin, which can reduce acne blemishes. A study showed that using a herbal soap containing cinnamon oil reduced acne scars and pigmentation (8).

• Prevents UV Damage: Cinnamon also contains vitamin C that protects the skin from UV damage and premature aging (8).
• Brightens The Skin: Cinnamaldehyde is a tyrosinase inhibitor (reduces melanin production) and can be used as a skin-whitening agent in cosmetics (9). Cinnamon also contains p-coumaric acid, a compound used as a skin-lightening ingredient in cosmetics (10). Both the agents may help reduce hyperpigmentation.
• Treats Infections: The Central Council For Research In Ayurvedic Sciences states that a mixture of cinnamon powder and honey can treat cuts, skin infections, and wounds (11), (12).
• Minimizes Wrinkles: Cinnamaldehyde may increase collagen production and effectively reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines (13).

• Prevents Oxidative Damage: Cinnamon contains beta-carotene, vitamin B, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, coumarin, vitamin A, potassium, polyphenols, cinnamic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, iron, and other nutrients (11). Vitamin A prevents skin damage caused by UV exposure and may even be useful in minimizing psoriasis, ichthyosis (scaly skin), and acne (14).  Coumarin helps reduce inflammation, and polyphenols prevent oxidative damage (15), (16).
• Works As Larvicidal: Cinnamon essential oil extracted from Cinnamomum cassia is larvicidal and can repel mosquitoes (11). You can use it as a topical mosquito repellent to prevent mosquito bites.
• Boosts Collagen Production: Ceylon cinnamon extracts can stimulate collagen synthesis and prevent skin sagging and wrinkles (13).

Fun Fact

In ancient Rome, around the 1st century AD, cinnamon was such a prized commodity that it is said to have been about 15 times more expensive than silver.

Now that you know the advantages of using cinnamon for your skin, let’s learn how to use it to reap its benefits.

How To Use Cinnamon For Your Skin

You can use cinnamon oil, powder, and other extracts in homemade face masks and DIY remedies or use skin care products with cinnamon extract

for its moisturizing and exfoliating properties. Here are a few possible ways to use cinnamon for the skin:

• Mix a drop of cinnamon essential oil with petroleum jelly, olive oil, or coconut oil and use it to moisturize dry lips. You can apply petroleum jelly and a pinch of ground cinnamon to plump your lips.
• Mix a pinch of cinnamon powder with salt, olive oil, almond oil, and honey and use it as a scrub to manage dry skin.
• Make a paste with a teaspoon of cinnamon and three tablespoons of honey and use it as a spot treatment to manage acne. It may also reduce redness and moisturize the skin.
• Mix a pinch of cinnamon, aloe vera gel, a pinch of turmeric, licorice powder, and apply it as a face mask to boost skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration.

Did You Know?

Cinnamon comes in two major types: cassia and Ceylon. Ceylon has antioxidants that are beneficial in skin care, while cassia is used in food.

While you can apply cinnamon to your skin, there are some adverse effects you need to be aware of before using it.

Side Effects Of Using Cinnamon

Applying cinnamon to your skin is clearly beneficial. However, it may irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions like:

• Redness
• Rashes
• Burning sensation
• Discoloration

Marmie, a blogger, shared her cautionary tale about a honey, cinnamon, and milk combination mask that led to burning her face. She writes. “BEWARE of CINNAMON!!! It can chemically BURN you. My face was so red. I put aloe on it immediately. It settled down after about 30 minutes. And fortunately, after several hours most traces of redness are gone (i).”

Ingesting excess cinnamon can cause:

• Tingling sensations
• Itching,
• Cough
• Breathlessness

Make sure you perform a patch test before using cinnamon for the skin.

Infographic: 6 Ways Cinnamon Benefits The Skin

While cinnamon is relished in desserts and other recipes, its various properties have made it popular in the beauty industry as well. This potent spice can easily be incorporated into your daily skin care routine. But before going ahead, take a look at its benefits that has everyone going gaga over it. Check out the infographic below for more information.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should cinnamon be applied to the skin?

When it comes to using cinnamon on the skin, it’s vital to note that less is more. To avoid potential irritation or dryness, limit its use to once or twice a week. This frequency allows you to enjoy the benefits of cinnamon without risking any adverse effects on your skin.

Is cinnamon good for oily skin?

Yes, cinnamon is good for oily skin. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties that can help treat breakouts and inflammation (17). It also helps control excess oil production.

Can we leave cinnamon on the face overnight?

Yes, we can leave cinnamon on the face overnight. Cinnamon possesses anti-fungal, antioxidant, and antibacterial qualities, which could help reduce acne. In addition, cinnamon reduces skin oiliness when left on the face overnight. It also promotes blood flow to the skin.

Can cinnamon cause skin damage?

Cinnamon belongs to the spice family and can cause reactions like rash, redness, irritation, and burning due to hypersensitivity. To prevent harsh reactions, you should always use cinnamon powder and essential oil in a diluted mixture.

Is cinnamon good for combination skin?

Yes, cinnamon is a natural exfoliator and is safe for all skin types. Yet, you must use it diluted with a carrier oil. The combination skin type has dry skin areas that may be cinnamon sensitive.

Does cinnamon tighten skin?

Yes, cinnamon increases blood circulation, oxygen, and nutrient supply to the skin surface. This, in turn, increases collagen and elastin production, which plumps the skin and tightens it.

Is cinnamon good for pores?

Cinnamon has astringent properties and helps in unclogging and tightening the pores.

Is cinnamon good for blackheads?

A cinnamon and lemon juice mask is an effective home remedy for blackhead removal. Cinnamon unclogs and tightens the pore, while lemon has antibacterial properties.

Illustration: Cinnamon Benefits For Skin: How To Use And Side Effects

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Cinnamon is a great spice that can help improve your skin texture. Check out this video to learn about its amazing benefits and how it can help improve your complexion and skin health.