This mask consisting of grounded cinnamon, nutmeg and honey is great for acne flare ups. In fact, it is probably one of the best DIY masks I’ve tried in terms of results as just after three days of using the mixture, I noticed my acne calmed down tremendously and the red marks were a lot lightened. The only drawback is, this is extremely messy to use as there were lots of dripping!
Nutmeg is anti-inflammatory
I’ve tried using nutmeg with success as an ingredient to erase acne scars but I’ve only used it as a spot treatment and never the entire face. Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory properties and was used since ancient times for a variety of skin diseases including ringworms and eczema. Add it with honey which has antiseptic benefits and the concoction is supposed to help erase acne marks over time. It is also supposed to help lighten skin tone. However, based on my experience, the results were not immediate and you need to be patient.
Cinnamon is a natural exfoliant
But it’s a different story with the cinnamon added. Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years as an antiseptic, astringent, antifungal and anti-viral aid, among its many other uses. Additionally, cinnamon is an exfoliant and can stimulate the pores, thus helping other ingredients to work on the skin as well.
Easy recipe
This recipe is very straightforward. Just mix one teaspoon of grounded cinnamon, one teaspoon of grounded nutmeg and one teaspoon of honey together into a thick paste. Apply on your face for half an hour and then rinse off with warm water. Moisturize as per normal afterwards. I usually apply emu oil on the acne to speed up healing.
Option of using with lemon
The original version of this recipe is to add lemon to fade the spots but because my skin cannot tolerate the sting from the lemon juice, I left this ingredient out. In addition, lemon can cause photosensitivity. As for the honey, I used normal honey and it worked well to control the acne breakout and reduce the red marks.
Frequency of use
I used the mask a few days in a row before stopping for a day or two. If you have acne flare ups, doing so will help to calm down the acne, dry them up or at least flatten the bumps. Once the acne has calmed down, cut down to two or three times a week at most. The mask will help to lighten the marks but don’t expect miracles in the short term. It will lighten up with continuous application though.
Word of caution
While this is a great home remedy for acne, but this DIY mask is not for everyone. I wouldn’t recommend you to use this if you have sensitive skin as some of the ingredients maybe too strong for such skin type. Another point to note is despite what is recommended, please DO NOT rub or scrub with this mask as the ingredients will hurt your skin! Do not also exfoliate your skin during the period you’re using this mask as this has some exfoliation properties and you don’t want to aggravate your skin condition. Finally, be prepared for the dripping with some paper or cloth towels!
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You’re right that this mask is not for everyone! I have used a DIY mask (oatmeal, honey, egg whites, and yogurt + cinnamon). just one teaspoon of cinnamon burned my face, so maybe I have sensitive skin?
Yeah…the cinnamon can irritate sensitive skin. That’s why I had to stop after 3 days although there was no irritation for me. But just in case…
When you mean nutmeg for acne scars, it’s more of for fading of those dark spots rather than help pitted holes is it?
Yes, only for the marks and spots. Not for pitted holes.
I use the exact same method! It worked real well for my skin, but I only use it if i have stubborn scars. Usually I just use cinnamon and honey together. To avoid the dripping, I use less honey. Nice post!
You’re right…the more honey you use, the more it drips. But if the honey is too little, I find the mixture too strong for my skin too.
i tried this diy mask long ago but it seems not to be working on me.
maybe i should give it another try again and apply it every day and see if it works.
by the way,i think body shop tea oil mask helps to lighten up the acne marks..whenever i apply it at night, the next morning,my face is very bright..however at the end of the day,the marks return. arrghh..:-(
Not sure about TBS mask…maybe something there which provide temporary brightening.
Sesame, any luck in finding out the root cause of your acne?
I have some clogged pores recently…but I have no patience to do these DIY stuff. I might go after the Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel which I often see faves online.
Mine should be due to what I eat and hormonal imbalance. Since weaning off prunes, I have lesser breakouts. Now, it’s just one or two small ones and the old scars. If it comes back, then I need to think about my makeup.
How about you? Have you determine what’s the cause for yours?
DIY remedies do take time so I haven’t used them as frequently as I like. However, my scars are taking forever so I want to try this recipe and good thing it’s working.
how long exact does it take to make this remedy start its magic?
About 3 to 4 weeks…depends on your skin type. I know some people use this daily and saw results in 2 weeks too. Use it as a spot treatment though…not on your entire face.
ooh. something for me to experiment again to control my eczema. I wonder if I can just use the nutmeg by itself with honey though…
I don’t think this can help eczema. In fact, it might aggravate ot. You might want to try just the honey.
I have eczema I tried the honey and cinnamon in equal parts but no nutmeg it worked well for the frist few day but I realized that I had a terrible reaction later on as all the red splochies became dark and wont go away and my face has been burnt by the cinnamon. Initially I used too much cinnamon but I think that I may need to use it every other day I say this because I use it on my back and the light areas have become darker but my chest, breasts, neck and face have dark splotches much darker than my dark skin tone. I also drink the honey and cinnamon as a weight loss tea before bed and half an hour before breakfast. The fact is Cinnamon and honey is good for many things and has helped with my asthma so I know I only have a skin reaction. What other DIY could I use because of my eczema even Avenno bath soaps are too much for my skin at times.
Cinnamon is rather strong and not suitable for sensitive skin. Have you tried mungbean? It works for blemishes but again, I have had ladies reacting to it. You may like to read my post here:
http://www.vivawoman.net/2010/03/05/diy-beauty-mung-bean-anti-blemish-face-mask/
I think its milk which started it first. I was eating cereal for breakfast and sometimes odd time snack during the day.
Then the weather didn’t help. Think the humidity is rather low at the moment. And my face is dry (little bit of flakiness), which cause more sebum production.
Currently, I have switched to more moisturising skincare, AHA & BHA facial wash, purifying mud mask, and peeling gel.
My skin got better. At least no new patches of clogged pores. Hoping it will continue to improve.
Seems like diet is a big trigger. I noticed these days I have to be very careful with what I eat. It never was the case.
Btw, milk like salt, has iodine so probably that triggered the acne.
Yes. The body is just going downhill. Hahaha…aging process…
I think I need to start conditioning myself mentally to accept this and age gracefully.
My beautician ask me if I set aside a sum every year for skincare. (Obviously, trying to fleece more money off me!)
I told her, my objective is just no huge problems (actually just acne – coz it hurts – I have learnt to live with my pigmentation) at the moment. I don’t care if there is a wrinkle or whatever. Just that it does not inconvienence my life, its ok. Cannot really be perfect…but within reasonable means, I will try to work on it.
Haha…your beautician sure knows how to sell…But yeah, I do spend more on beauty products than on fashion as a whole. In fact, I can go through long spells without buying a fashion item.
Yes…I have learnt to be thick skinned and tell them straight that I don’t have money, so don’t sell to me. Thats the fastest way to shut them up.
Oh btw, I saw a shop in Raffles Place which sells Japanese designed rootote. Designs are at http://www.superplanning.co.jp
I didn’t check out what is the exact price but I saw quite a medium big (non-canvas) waterproof material kind of tote for S$47 or S$57. Not too far off from the 3,000 yen price I saw online.
I usually get my Rootote from this stationary shop at Funan (2nd level) or I order online. I find those at the other shops a bit costlier. I’m looking forward to getting the Rootote pouch though!
But yours are canvas right?
I have four that are waterproof material. The most expensive I paid was $23 if I recall correctly and it’s plain metallic.
Oh good. I shall go funan to check it out. Thanks very much!
The selection at Funan is not so good these days. You might want to look at my entry to check out other sources. The online one isn’t too bad.
http://www.vivawoman.net/2009/01/18/where-to-get-rootote-in-singapore/
Thanks very much!!!
I’m trying this out! But seriously I think I’m a lost cause. Nothing has helped for the past…. 2 years now?
I posted last time about hydroquinone 7%, and yes, I found out after a couple months I should stop. But really, it didn’t do anything. Or maybe it did and I just kept getting new acne, then it scars. My face has been darker waaay before I started using the hydroquinone, so it has not made me darker.
I don’t know what will help me. Surgical remove my face off??
You have to first determine what’s causing your acne. It sounds like it’s more internal – like hormonal imbalance or perhaps a diet trigger. Rather than trying to second guess, maybe a doctor can confirm that.
Hydroquinone is not something I’ve heard being recommended for acne marks though but I guess the principle behind that is to lighten them.
I suppose I will have to go to another doctor, since the last one I went to was the one who prescribed me hydroquinone, among a bunch of other things that didn’t help. Well, let’s see if it’s any different in Austria
Yes, a second opinion will be better. Not all doctors are equal in their diagnosis and some may not even prescribe suitable treatments.
i used it…n it really works…the acnes n d scars are just gone away..
thankx
That’s great! I’m glad it worked for you.
i have got scars on my cheeks which look moderate. will the nutmeg and honey remove the pits
Not the pits…only the marks.
Hello,
Can i use this mask alternating, in the same week, with an aspirin mask?
Thanks.
Sure…as long as they work well for your skin.
Ohhh thank you~~
I tried using cinnamon before, but accidentally put 1 TABLESPOON of Cinnamon and let me tell you, the experience was very, very painful.
So I was hesitant to try this, but I decided to take the plunge and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! It works really well and my face isn’t as oil and the acne definitely faded a little! Will continue to use thank you so much for posting this~!
I’m glad it worked for you…cinnamon can be too strong for certain skin type so gotta be careful. Good thing it’s helping you.
I tried this mask and I use it regualry on my skin because my skin is not sensitive. I can feel the mask working and it feels amazing on my skin. I use it 5 times a week max, but sometimes I only use it 4 times a week it all depends. Well I still use it and it’s faded a lot of my acne scars on my cheek which is amazing. I’ve shared this mask with my friends/family and they agree with me. If you have acne-prone skin I suggest using this. Xoxo
well, i have never heard of nutmeg for facials, but sounds interesting, will definitely try this one
thank you
Er…do note it’s only for spot treatment and not the entire face.
Hi Sesame!
Hope you don’t mind that I comment in this post since it’s from last year, and I’m quite new in this blog, but I wanted to tell you that I’ve been using this recipe for 2 weeks now (every 2-3 times a week) and let me tell you it works really good.
I used the recipe with and without lemon, and I like it more with lemon since my skin can deal with it (I dont feel so much sting). This recipe not only have been fading my red marks, it has also helped control the breakouts.
I’ve used in the entire face just once a week, and the other times as a spot treatment.
Do you think it would be ok to use it in the neck skin? I have sometime breakouts there, but my neck skin is a little more senstive that my face skin.
I know it takes time to completely desappear all the marks and have an even skin tone, but so far so good, becuase It has give better results than other cremes and masks.
I will check out all the DIY recipes you have posted!
Glad the recipe works well for you. I’m surprised it works for your entire face cos I’m hesitant using it on the whole face. The skin on the neck is thinner so I suggest you try using spot treatment first. If it’s okay, then you expand the usage.
Yes, it did work in my entire fice, even in my cheeks where the skin is less oily. I guess the honey provides enough moisture so I didn’t feel the skin dry afterwards. I will give it a try in my neck as a spot treatmente first, becuase I dont get breakouts often there, just sometimes in that time of the month, but they are usually stubborn headless pimples sometimes very hard to fight.
After your breakouts calmed down, did you still use it twice a week ? Do you think it can help preventing flare ups?
I didn’t really use it after my acne subsided but yes, it will help prevent flare ups cos it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
for how long i have to use this mask…? actually i have very sensitive skin …so please tell me should i have to use this mask daily or i have to use it 2-3 days a week…???
If you have sensitive skin, then it’s best to proceed slowly by using this as a spot treatment. You can use daily until the marks are lightened. Once you’ve established your skin is okay with this, you can enlarge the area you use. When your skin is healed, you no longer need to use this daily.