Are you at war with your skin, especially on your face?
Maybe it’s always dry and dull, or maybe you are beginning to experience the telltale signs of aging.
Wrinkles or pimples, acne or zits, loss of elasticity and atrophy happens naturally as we get on in years and collagen synthesis begins to break down.
Although this poses no real threat to your health, let's be honest: your face is the first thing most people will notice about you, and it's totally natural to want to make the best impression you possibly can.
Besides, who doesn't like the feel of dewy, toned and moisturized skin?
While there are a number of great, high-quality creams and masques available, a lot of people agree that Mother Nature still has the best (and often cheapest) beauty secrets.
In this article, we will discuss the wide-ranging benefits of a refreshing DIY mask the two key ingredients: honey and cinnamon, both of which are applauded for their skin pampering properties and massive nutritional offering.
We'll also review a few recipes for honey and cinnamon face masks to help you accomplish your skin care needs at home for less!
What Is Good In Cinnamon For Skin?
Cinnamon is well-known for its spicy aroma and ability to calm and stimulate the senses at the same time.
It is used liberally in teas and baked goods. With its antioxidant and rejuvenating potential, It is especially useful for providing a wide range of anti-aging benefits.
Cinnamon is made primarily of cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate.
Cinnamon protects against inflammation and toxins as well as lowering lipid levels and helping diabetics keep their blood sugar in check.
Cinnamon can also be used for everything from banishing bad breath and improving dental health to increasing circulation and helping to prevent against colon cancer.
When used in face masks, cinnamaldehyde has been shown to increase collagen production! This is particularly great for anyone who is noticing less elasticity in their skin due to aging and stress.
It’s also wonderful for naturally calming inflammation that can lead to acne or pimples, making this an ideal skin de-stressor for people of every age.(1)(2)
Remember that cinnamon is only as good as its quality.
For the most potent, medically beneficial results, be sure to choose cinnamon that is as unprocessed as possible.
Using commercial cinnamon, especially for a face mask, could lead to increased skin problems.
What Is Good In Honey For Skin?
On top of its wonderful moisturizing properties, honey is also an antimicrobial and its viscosity makes ideal as a salve.
Manuka honey has been found to eliminate life-threatening strands of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, or Staph.(3)
Honey has been used for gut remediation by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Romans, among others.
It can be made from a variety of sources such as buckwheat, wildflower, orange blossom, and lesser-known variants like sunflower and chestnut.
It comes in shades of amber brown, black, grayish, greenish, clear and sunny yellow, among others.
High-quality honey is fortified with about 200 different substances, including highly absorbable sugar sources, amino acids, multiple B vitamins, and a number of enzymes and probiotics.(4)
Not bad, especially when you consider that we're basically talking about bee vomit! But don't let that put you off; the digestive process that results in honey is responsible for many of its health benefits.
For masks, make sure you are buying honey in its raw form; otherwise, you miss out the nutritional benefits and protective agents.
Sure, it may stay on your face, but there are no medicinal qualities and you might actually be making the condition of your skin worse!
Your local health food store should have more than enough varieties of raw honey for you to choose from.
Another thing to be aware of is how quickly your honey crystallizes; rapid crystallization is linked to lower moisture and higher sugar content, which denotes lesser quality but isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
A darkening or lightening of the honey may happen as it ages, but this is usually not a reason for concern. The shelf life of honey is…well, forever!
Generally speaking, food is only as nonperishable as its most perishable ingredient.
Since honey is made primarily of sugars, that would be indefinite. It is safe to eat or use as a mask even after it begins to change color, separate and harden.
To get it back to its syrupy state, simply place a sealed container in a bowl of hot water or microwave it for a few seconds at a time. Always use discretion; if it looks moldy or smells foul, toss it out!
Honey and Cinnamon Face Masks for Skin : Recipes
Both honey and cinnamon are making a renaissance in modern medicine as their multitude of therapeutic properties are gaining recognition.
Combined together, they are a match made in heaven. The bacteria-fighting agents in both coupled with the tonic effect of cinnamon and moisturizing infusion of honey make this a great recipe for re-balancing the condition of your skin, no matter your age or skin type.
It can be used for targeted spot treatment on especially stubborn zits, or as an allover mask that softens and moisturizes while increasing circulation.
Tip 1:
For a spot treatment, mix equal parts of raw honey and high-quality cinnamon. You don't need much; a dab will do ya!
For best results, gently wash the affected area and pat dry. Apply directly to zits and let sit for 15 minutes, or for especially stubborn acne, you can even leave it on overnight.
Rinse thoroughly and follow your normal skincare routine, avoiding adding too much moisturizer or other products to the affected area.
Repeat application about three times a week until the acne is gone.(5)
Tip 2:
For a dewy glow that you’ll really notice, mix about 2tbsp of honey with a 1tsp of cinnamon in a small bowl.
Blend them together until you form a paste. If needed pull your hair back using a hair tie or band. Carefully apply from the bottom-up; start at the clavicle and gently stroke upwards towards the chin and back of the neck.
Using small circles and light pressure, distribute the paste all the way up the sides and front of your face to the hairline. Take care to avoid the eye area. This can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you're not used to slathering sticky substances on your skin!
Be sure to have paper towels nearby to clean up any accidental drips and wipe your hands on.
Let the mask soak in for between 10 and 15 minutes. Wash thoroughly, using a warm hand towel if needed to remove any excess. Gently pat the skin dry and apply moisture if needed.(6)
Tip 3:
You can also do a ratio of 3tbsp. of honey to 1tbsp. of cinnamon for a luxurious, chocolatey mask. Mix by gently swirling and lifting the paste. Apply to the face using fingertips.
Pro tip: you can buy a brush and bowl from the beauty store that you would normally use for at-home hair dying expeditions. This makes application a breeze!
Leave on for 10 minutes then gently rinse off. Pat the face dry with a clean washcloth.(7)
Now that you know how to create this wonderfully spicy and stick mask at home, there are a few things you should be aware of.
Obviously, you should avoid this mask if you suffer from allergies to either ingredient. While it is totally safe for most people, it's not for everybody. Test a small area on your wrist if you're not sure how your skin will react. If there is no initial warning sign, but you notice excessive irritation or inflammation after application, try changing up the ratio to include less cinnamon.
You can also try washing it off after three to five minutes and gradually build up to 10-15 minutes.
So there you have it! Another wonderful life hack brought to you by the most powerful all-around health and beauty powerhouse on earth: nature!
Used regularly and in conjunction with a consistent skin care routine, the cornucopia of benefits from this simple honey cinnamon mask are sure to make you and your wallet smile. Glow on with your bad self and get rid of acne, pimples!
Don't forget to share your thought on these powerful skincare recipes.
