Published: August 2, 2017
The spicy spice, which first appeared in Ceylon, is most often used in the kitchen - in baked goods and desserts. However, the rich composition of cinnamon microelements makes it indispensable in facial care: there are several options for simple masks that improve the appearance of the skin, relieve signs of fatigue, and help hide wrinkles.
The seasoning is suitable for all skin types and is contraindicated only in case of individual intolerance. Cinnamon masks do not require complex ingredients and are easily made from products that every housewife has in her home.
Cinnamon helps get rid of acne
Acne is a very common problem that makes us feel self-conscious. Excess sebum makes the skin very oily, and bacterial growth is known to play a significant role in the formation of acne. However, cinnamon successfully combats both of these factors.
Research shows that it counteracts acne-causing bacteria, namely Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionic acne bacteria. Cinnamon is extremely beneficial for oily skin, as it is an inhibitor of an enzyme such as 5a-reductase, which regulates hormones that stimulate sebum production.
A cinnamon face mask is exactly what you need for acne. Moreover, research has found that a mixture of cinnamon and honey is much more effective in fighting the bacterial infection that causes acne than cinnamon alone.
Cinnamon slows down the aging process of the skin
Research shows that cinnamon promotes the biosynthesis of collagen, a protein that is responsible for skin elasticity and tone. As we age, collagen production decreases, which contributes to the appearance of wrinkles. Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, which has an anti-aging effect.
Include cinnamon in your diet. It's easy to do - just lightly season your food with cinnamon. Or how about a cup of cinnamon tea? To make cinnamon tea, pour a cinnamon stick or ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon into a glass of boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes.
Reviews
Marina. With the help of cinnamon-honey masks, performed weekly, I manage to keep my skin toned, smoothing out fine lines and crow's feet around the eyes in a timely manner.
Snezhana. Being a heavy smoker, I also had skin with a lifeless yellowish tint. After regularly performing cinnamon masks with rolled oats, the face became matte and acquired a healthy color.
Faith. Thanks to cinnamon masks, I look much younger than my peers, but this is the result of many years of experience using them.
Having tried the effects of cinnamon compounds on her skin, a rare woman will be able to refuse to use them in the future, since in addition to the beneficial effects on the skin, they can improve mood due to the additional aromatic effect.
Cinnamon brightens pigmented skin
The pigment responsible for skin color is called melanin. If it is overproduced, the complexion darkens and becomes uneven - numerous freckles, age spots, and tanning appear. If this is a problem for you, cinnamon may help.
Research shows that cinnamon oil reduces melanin production by affecting an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is involved in the production of melanin. The bioactive substances eugenol and cinnamaldehyde contained in cinnamon have the same effect.
To wipe the skin of the face, use cinnamon oil together with base oil in a ratio of 1:20. Coconut oil is suitable as a base oil, which also has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Before using this product, first do an allergy patch test.
Honey for acne: beneficial properties of the product
The active components of honey have a beneficial effect on facial skin. It nourishes the skin, evens out the complexion, removes blemishes and irritations. Honey has a significant anti-inflammatory effect:
- Honey has an antibacterial effect. It relieves inflammation and stops the process of suppuration.
- Honey not only removes existing pimples, but also prevents the appearance of new ones.
- Honey cleanses and restores the epidermis, removing dead particles and other impurities.
Cinnamon successfully fights skin infections
Cinnamon has pronounced antimicrobial properties. This property can be used in the fight against skin infection. Research confirms the effectiveness of cinnamon against Candida fungus, which is the cause of thrush and canker sores, as well as dermatophytes such as Trichophyton rubrum (ringworm fungus) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which causes fungal skin diseases such as athlete's foot and ringworm. The biologically active components of cinnamon, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, provide its antimicrobial properties.
To take advantage of these benefits, apply diluted cinnamon oil to the affected areas of the skin or wash them with cinnamon infusion. To prepare the infusion you will need 6-8 cinnamon sticks. They need to be broken and boiled in 4 glasses of water. Let the broth brew for 45 minutes. For athlete's foot, use this decoction for foot baths.
Cinnamon protects skin from harmful environmental influences
Environmental pollution negatively affects our skin. For example, dioxin can cause acne, skin redness, swelling, pigmentation, and excessive dryness.
One study found that cinnamaldehyde inhibits the activation of the receptor, which promotes the penetration of harmful substances from the environment into the cells of our body, and also has antioxidant properties.
But since this was only a laboratory study, it is not entirely clear how to use cinnamon for this purpose. Another study suggests that cinnamon in this case can be taken either orally or in the form of applications.
Cinnamon and honey mask: general preparation recommendations
To ensure that the beneficial properties of these products are not lost during the preparation and application of the mask, the following rules must be followed:
- It is better to use liquid honey (ideally linden honey).
- Before applying the honey and cinnamon mask, thoroughly cleanse your face with a scrub. This way, the active elements of honey and cinnamon will have a more effective effect on the skin of the face.
- Before using a honey and cinnamon face mask, do an allergy test: apply a small amount of the mixture to the skin behind the ear and monitor the reaction to the mask. If there is a burning sensation, discomfort or redness, a mask of honey and cinnamon for acne is contraindicated for you.
- Very sensitive skin may react to such a mask in an unexpected and not the most pleasant way. For owners of such skin, the best option is to use the mask locally, on individual areas of the skin.
- The greatest effect will be from a fresh, just prepared mask.
- It is better to use natural products. If possible, make a mask from natural honey. Honey should not be pasteurized.
- After using the mask, rinse your face first with warm, then with cold water. This will improve skin tone.
Dermatocosmetologist Yuliana Shiyan believes that the main rule for those with problem skin is not to touch their face with their hands, except during cosmetic procedures. If you play sports or dance, then you need to make sure that you always have a clean towel and wet wipes with you during classes.
Cinnamon treats eczema
Eczema is a common inflammatory skin disease, accounting for 10 to 40% of all cases of skin lesions. This is a chronic disease characterized by itching and dry skin. In some South Asian countries, cinnamon and honey are traditionally used to treat eczema.
Research shows that the anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon make it a reliable ally in treating skin conditions. Thus, it has been established that cinnamaldehyde inhibits the pro-inflammatory effect of the transcription factor NF-κB, which plays a key role in the regulation of genes involved in inflammatory and immune reactions. Some experts suggest that cinnamon's anti-inflammatory properties may help treat other inflammatory skin conditions.
Application: what to pay attention to
Before the procedure, the skin must be thoroughly cleansed. Makeup is removed with soft milk or micellar water, then the face can be rinsed with mineral water or floral hydrosol. Then you need to wash your face with a soft gel. Oatmeal, which is applied to damp skin, is also suitable. After a light massage, your face should be rinsed. The flakes exfoliate dead cells, improving skin receptivity.
If you have increased oiliness, acne or blackheads, it is useful to take a steam bath or put a warming compress on your face using a towel soaked in hot water. This procedure is contraindicated in case of rosacea or hypersensitivity of the skin.
It is convenient to distribute the composition over the face with a special brush made of elastic synthetic fibers. The composition is not applied to the area around the eyes and lips. You need to wash off the mask with warm or cool running water; after the procedure, you can wipe your face with tonic or herbal decoction. It is worth remembering that cinnamon has an irritating effect and is not suitable for daily procedures; to tidy up the skin, it is enough to do 1-2 masks a week.
Cinnamon and the safety of its use
Cinnamon oil and cinnamon powder may cause a burning sensation in some people, especially if they have sensitive skin. Therefore, before using it, it is necessary to conduct an allergy test to see how the skin reacts to cinnamon.
It is also worth remembering this:
- At one time, no more than ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder or 2-3 drops of cinnamon oil is allowed.
- Cinnamon oil is always used with a carrier oil. Coconut oil is best in this case.
- Use cinnamon powder with milk or honey.
- If you experience discomfort after applying cinnamon paste or oil to your skin, wipe your skin with coconut or olive oil.
Recipes for various facial products
At the moment, a huge number of cinnamon-based facial products have been developed. They are characterized by ease of preparation, which allows any woman to make them.
Masks
The most effective drugs are based on:
- Honey. The use of a special drug is recommended for women with fading and aging skin. It can also be used by young girls to nourish and moisturize the skin. With the help of a special drug, the activation of recovery processes is ensured. A mask is prepared based on honey and ground seasoning. These components are mixed in a 2:1 ratio. The special preparation is applied to the face for half an hour. After this, it is washed off using warm water. In winter, it is recommended to carry out the procedure once a week. In summer you can increase the number of procedures up to two times.
- Banana. The use of a special drug is recommended for women who have aging skin. In order to make the medicine, it is recommended to take a quarter of a banana and crush it into a paste. A quarter teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon of lemon juice are added to it. It is also recommended to add a tablespoon of sour cream. All components are thoroughly mixed. The mask is applied to the face, and after 20 minutes it is washed off with warm water.
- Eggs.
To prepare a special preparation, the yolk or white of an egg is used, depending on the type of skin. For those with dry skin, it is recommended to prepare a special preparation based on chicken yolk. Honey is mixed with cinnamon in a ratio of 4:1. The yolk is added to the resulting composition and mixed thoroughly. Leave the mask on your face for 20 minutes and then wash it off with water. For oily skin types, it is recommended to prepare a mask according to the same recipe, only you need to add white instead of yolk. The drug smoothes and tones the skin, and also gives a surge of energy and freshness. - Oatmeal. The mask has a pronounced cleansing effect. It is also used to combat age spots. A medicine is prepared using a tablespoon of natural honey and 1 tsp. seasonings The same amount of oatmeal should be taken. After mixing the components, a small amount of milk is added to the mixture until a homogeneous mass is obtained. If a woman has an oily skin type, then it is recommended that she replace milk with any fermented milk product - kefir, fermented baked milk, etc. The composition is applied to the epithelium using massage movements. After 10 minutes it is recommended to wash it off.
- Sour cream. The use of the medicine is recommended for excessive dry skin. With its help, the fight against peeling is carried out. Add a small amount of cinnamon to the sour cream and stir. The product is applied with a special brush to the face for 10 minutes.
- Cucumber. For the preparation, it is recommended to take a small cucumber and chop it using a fine grater. It is recommended to add a few tablespoons of honey to the resulting mixture, which is preheated. The spice is added to the preparation at the tip of the knife. The mixture is stirred until a homogeneous mass is obtained and applied to the face in a thick layer. After 15 minutes, the mask is removed using a damp cloth. It is not recommended to wash your face after the procedure.
- Yeast.
In order to make the medicine, it is recommended to use compressed yeast, of which you need 25 grams. They dissolve in the same amount of warm water. It is recommended to leave the mass for 20 minutes in a warm place to swell. After this, ¼ teaspoon of seasoning is added to the mixture. The mixture is thoroughly beaten. It recommends moistening a napkin and placing it on the skin for 20 minutes. After this, the napkin is removed and the face is washed.
Thanks to the availability of a large number of recipes for preparing cinnamon-based cosmetics, a woman can choose the most suitable option for herself in accordance with her existing problems.
How to improve your complexion, watch this video:
Scrubs
Various scrubs can be prepared from the spice. They are made based on:
- Coffee. The scrub mask is prepared using products such as ground coffee, sugar, vegetable oil, salt, and cinnamon. Initially, it is recommended to brew ground coffee according to the standard recipe and drink it. At the bottom of the cup there will be grounds to which all other ingredients are added. This product guarantees thorough cleansing of the skin. If a girl has an oily skin type, then it is recommended to add grape seed oil to the scrub. You can replace it with low-fat sour cream. After mixing, the scrub is applied to the face with massage movements and left for 10 minutes. The drug is washed off with warm water and massage movements.
- Spices. To ensure effective cleansing of the skin, it is recommended to prepare a scrub. To do this, pour boiling water over a tablespoon of cinnamon and leave for 10 minutes. After filtering, cotton swabs are moistened in the product, which are recommended to wipe the face with. The product is ideal for all skin types.
- Salt.
To cleanse the skin of the face and eliminate blackheads, it is recommended to prepare a special preparation based on salt and ground seasoning. It is recommended to mix the two components and dilute them with sunflower oil. The product is rubbed into the skin before washing. Women are allowed to use it, regardless of skin type.
With the help of the above mentioned remedies, the epithelium is effectively cleansed, which guarantees proper breathing.
Cooking rules
To ensure a high effect of cosmetics, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules during its preparation. In order to make any preparation, it is recommended to use only fresh seasoning.
Expired cinnamon will not only not bring the desired effect, but can also cause harm.
Medicines can be prepared from ground cinnamon. It is also allowed to use seasoning in sticks, which are previously crushed using a coffee grinder.
It is recommended to carry out the procedures in the evening, as redness of the skin may be observed after the masks. If during the procedure you experience a feeling of warmth, then there is no need to worry, as this is a completely normal process.
If fever occurs, it is recommended to remove the product from the face as quickly as possible. If a woman has overly sensitive skin, then she is allowed to use cinnamon-based products.
In this case, it is recommended to reduce the amount of spice by half. Before using any cosmetics, it is recommended to test for an allergic reaction.
To do this, a small amount of the drug is applied to the wrist area. If after 10 minutes no irritation or redness appears in this area, then the drug can be safely applied to the face.
It is not recommended to wash off masks with soap or special cleansers, as this may reduce their effectiveness.