Cinnamon health benefits, this spice heals acne scars, stops bad breath

Health benefits of cinnamon: This spice is a cure-all for most health related ailments. Cinnamon also heals acne scars and can be used as a home-made lip balm.

Cinnamon is a delicious spice and you probably know it has some great benefits for your health. But did you know that the benefits of cinnamon go much beyond health and fitness? You can also use it in your beauty routine.

Those same anti-bacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and analgesic properties that are good for your inside body are good for your skin too. This means topical application is just as good as ingesting cinnamon.

So, listen up ladies (and gents), because here are some ways to use cinnamon in your beauty routine.

Rub your face with a mixture of sugar, cinnamon and coconut nectar. (Shutterstock)

1. Cinnamon scrub

“Combine sugar, cinnamon and coconut nectar (made from sap of the coconut palm that has been extracted and then boiled and dehydrated). Rub your face with the mixture gently, then rinse the scrub off with warm water,” Mitali Roy, a skin care expert at Selene Hair and Beauty, Kolkata says.

You will be left with a soft face that you won’t be able to stop stroking.

Mix a spoon of cinnamon with warm water and gargle for a few seconds. (Shutterstock)

2. Freshen up bad breath

Run out of toothpaste? Have a hunt around the kitchen and look for a teaspoon and some cinnamon - we mean who doesn’t have cinnamon in their kitchen cupboards?

“Mix a spoon of cinnamon with warm water and gargle for a few seconds. Your breath won’t be minty fresh but it will be much improved,” Mitali says.

The antibacterial properties in both the honey and the cinnamon will reduce future breakouts. (Shutterstock)

3. Acne mask with honey

If you suffer with acne scars then mix up honey and cinnamon to revitalize your face. Combine the two ingredients and apply it to the affected areas. Leave the mix on for about 15-20 minutes and repeat once a week or so.

“This combination will help to fade the scars and the antibacterial properties in both the honey and the cinnamon will reduce future breakouts,” Jawed Habib Hair and Beauty’s Gaurav Das says.

Combine cinnamon, oats and lemon and apply to your face. (Shutterstock)

4. Cinnamon and oatmeal mask

If you have oily skin then this is the cinnamon use for you. The oats in the mask helps to reduce the oil in your skin and absorbs any existing moisture.

“Combine cinnamon, oats and lemon and apply to your face. Rinse with warm water after about 20 minutes and you’ll have fresh oil free skin,” Gaurav says.

For homemade lip balm, add a tablespoon or two of cinnamon to melted coconut oil. (Shutterstock)

5. Natural lip balm

Now it is going to be pretty tough not to lick the homemade lip balm off your lips, but if you can keep it on for long enough you’ll earn a gorgeous pout for your efforts.

“Add a tablespoon or two of cinnamon to melted coconut oil. Once the coconut oil is set you will have your very own (and very tasty) homemade lip balm,” Mitali says.

So off you trot to the kitchen now to check whether you’ve got a stock of cinnamon. And if you’ve got some other wonderful uses for cinnamon that makes you beautiful, please share with us on Twitter (details below).

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