Living in busy Metropolitan Manila can be very stressful. With hectic schedules, endless traffic, and pervasive air pollution, it’s not uncommon for many of us to suffer from acne breakouts and bumpy skin. The combination of dust and dirt, as well as some hormonal issues, can make acne persistent, painful, and extremely uncomfortable.
If you’re like me and have tried almost every anti-acne soap, cream, and treatment available on store shelves, what’s left is to explore other less conventional methods for treatment, one of them being cinnamon.
The basics
First let’s discuss what cinnamon is. Although not quite as common here in the Philippines, there’s still a good number of delicacies that uses the spice, most notably cinnamon rolls. Plus, considering the country is at the top spot in terms of social media usage, you’ve probably heard or seen some of those Cinnamon Challenge videos, which went viral in recent years.
Often found in stick, powder, or dried flower form, cinnamon is made from the inner bark of several tree species belonging to the genus Cinnamomum. The spice has largely been used as a versatile and powerful ingredient for both savory and sweet dishes.
What’s less known, however, is that it was even used in odd ways, such as a perfuming agent for the dead. In the post 'What Happens When You Eat Cinnamon' by Foxy Bingo it revealed that ancient Egyptians applied the spice in their embalming process. Fortunately, such practices have long died out as well, and cinnamon is now exclusively used for the living.
The good
The best thing about cinnamon is that it has many health benefits. A recent survey of medical literature by BioMed Central explores all the ways of how it has been utilized to treat a wide variety of digestive, respiratory, and gynecological conditions.
Cinnamon has been known to have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and anti-oxidant properties in other animals. It can also aid in lowering blood glucose, blood pressure, as well as serum cholesterol, and has wound-healing attributes.
Because of the many health benefits of cinnamon – most notably the first two mentioned above – it’s not surprising that people have developed a number of home remedies against acne using cinnamon as a main ingredient. It can be used in tandem with honey, lemon, nutmeg, or aloe vera to make masks, or prepared as an organic additive to tea. Michelle Phan shared a simple guide on making a cinnamon and honey mask.
The not so good
Although there are established home remedies using cinnamon to combat acne, there hasn’t been much clinical research to prove and document its effectiveness against the skin condition. MedicalNewsToday still recommends seeing a dermatologist for acne problems and checking first for any risks or allergies before attempting to use a cinnamon mask.
If you’re looking to try out a cinnamon mask soon, it’s important to always test your mixture on a small patch on your hand for any bad reactions at least a day before applying it on your face. This is because cinnamon can cause redness and irritation on the skin, as well as more severe problems like difficulty swallowing, hives, or shortness of breath for those who are allergic to it.
Now back to the question: Can cinnamon powder help get rid of acne? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing's for sure: It has the potential because of its benefits. While researchers have yet to give us a definitive conclusion, there are some who have already tried it. If you’re one of them, be sure to tell us how it went!
If you’re like me and have tried almost every anti-acne soap, cream, and treatment available on store shelves, what’s left is to explore other less conventional methods for treatment, one of them being cinnamon.
The basics
First let’s discuss what cinnamon is. Although not quite as common here in the Philippines, there’s still a good number of delicacies that uses the spice, most notably cinnamon rolls. Plus, considering the country is at the top spot in terms of social media usage, you’ve probably heard or seen some of those Cinnamon Challenge videos, which went viral in recent years.
Often found in stick, powder, or dried flower form, cinnamon is made from the inner bark of several tree species belonging to the genus Cinnamomum. The spice has largely been used as a versatile and powerful ingredient for both savory and sweet dishes.
What’s less known, however, is that it was even used in odd ways, such as a perfuming agent for the dead. In the post 'What Happens When You Eat Cinnamon' by Foxy Bingo it revealed that ancient Egyptians applied the spice in their embalming process. Fortunately, such practices have long died out as well, and cinnamon is now exclusively used for the living.
The good
The best thing about cinnamon is that it has many health benefits. A recent survey of medical literature by BioMed Central explores all the ways of how it has been utilized to treat a wide variety of digestive, respiratory, and gynecological conditions.
Cinnamon has been known to have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and anti-oxidant properties in other animals. It can also aid in lowering blood glucose, blood pressure, as well as serum cholesterol, and has wound-healing attributes.
Because of the many health benefits of cinnamon – most notably the first two mentioned above – it’s not surprising that people have developed a number of home remedies against acne using cinnamon as a main ingredient. It can be used in tandem with honey, lemon, nutmeg, or aloe vera to make masks, or prepared as an organic additive to tea. Michelle Phan shared a simple guide on making a cinnamon and honey mask.
The not so good
Although there are established home remedies using cinnamon to combat acne, there hasn’t been much clinical research to prove and document its effectiveness against the skin condition. MedicalNewsToday still recommends seeing a dermatologist for acne problems and checking first for any risks or allergies before attempting to use a cinnamon mask.
If you’re looking to try out a cinnamon mask soon, it’s important to always test your mixture on a small patch on your hand for any bad reactions at least a day before applying it on your face. This is because cinnamon can cause redness and irritation on the skin, as well as more severe problems like difficulty swallowing, hives, or shortness of breath for those who are allergic to it.
Now back to the question: Can cinnamon powder help get rid of acne? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing's for sure: It has the potential because of its benefits. While researchers have yet to give us a definitive conclusion, there are some who have already tried it. If you’re one of them, be sure to tell us how it went!
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