DIY Beauty: cinnamon & nutmeg acne mask
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
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 needed 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!
© www.vivawoman.net copyright notice
_______________________________________________________
Stumble This | 
Get Email | 
Subscribe to RSS
Posted in Homemade/DIY | 29 Comments »
previous post: Getting that golden smile to improve your looks
next post: Health & beauty benefits of eating cherries
Related Posts
- DIY Beauty: Nutmeg to erase acne scars
- What helped clear my cheek acne?
- DIY Beauty: strawberry mask for acne-proned
- L’Occitane Honey & Lemon Collection
- Sheer indulgence at The World of Organic
January 26th, 2010 at 9:11 am
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?
sesame Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
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…
January 26th, 2010 at 11:12 am
When you mean nutmeg for acne scars, it’s more of for fading of those dark spots rather than help pitted holes is it?
sesame Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Yes, only for the marks and spots. Not for pitted holes.
January 26th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
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!
sesame Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
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.
January 26th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
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..:-(
sesame Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Not sure about TBS mask…maybe something there which provide temporary brightening.
January 26th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
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.
sesame Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
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.
January 26th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
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…
sesame Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
I don’t think this can help eczema. In fact, it might aggravate ot. You might want to try just the honey.
January 26th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
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.
sesame Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
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.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:51 am
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.
sesame Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
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.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
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.
sesame Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
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!
January 27th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
But yours are canvas right?
sesame Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
I have four that are waterproof material. The most expensive I paid was $23 if I recall correctly and it’s plain metallic.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Oh good. I shall go funan to check it out. Thanks very much!
sesame Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 10:05 am
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/
January 28th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Thanks very much!!!
February 1st, 2010 at 3:21 am
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??
sesame Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 11:06 am
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.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:33 pm
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
sesame Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Yes, a second opinion will be better. Not all doctors are equal in their diagnosis and some may not even prescribe suitable treatments.
February 13th, 2010 at 9:39 am
[...] been really busy with last minute shopping and spring cleaning. I’ve also been slathering my DIY acne clearing mask to try to clear my acne blemishes so that I don’t get incessant queries about them from nosey [...]
March 5th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
[...] mess I like using this very much because unlike my cinnamon nutmeg acne mask, this one leaves no mess! Plus, I can use this on my entire face and there is no irritation [...]