Cinnamon, Spice and Everything Nice...

Cinnamon is one of those cozy spices that I love to eat, drink, and smell burning in my candles during the fall and winter months.  I sometimes add it to my coffee, tea, latte, or on top of a scrumptious something or another for a little extra kick. And, of course, cinnamon can be used for, you guessed it, your face.  As we’ll learn, it has many homeopathic properties and skincare is one of them. Mix it with the right combo of pantry ingredients and you’ve got yourself a highly effective skinfood recipe.  

Cinnamon is not only moisturizing and anti-aging but it’s also a great way to get rid of ugly-acne issues.  Its anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial properties help to heal the skin and clear away scars and dark spots. Additionally, and super-importantly for many of us, cinnamon also has anti-aging qualities. It helps boost the production of collagen and prevent its breakdown to curb signs of premature aging.  It also moisturizes the skin by stimulating blood flow and circulation. Below are some do-it-yourself recipes that will certainly spark the senses and benefit your face all at the same time.

You can always add a dash of cinnamon to other homemade masks for an additional boost, but below are some basic and easy recipes that are super effective.

** NOTE- Cinnamon can irritate certain more sensitive skin types, also too much can irritate the skin.  Be sure to patch test the following recipes behind the ear or on the neck before using. 

Dark Spot Treatment: Measure and mix cinnamon and coconut oil in a bowl before applying to dark spots. This powerful on-the-spot pack is loaded with moisturizing and protecting coconut oil, and the lightening power of cinnamon.  Leave on spots for about 15 minutes. With regular use (I suggest 1-2 times a week) you will notice the spots fading away. Make sure to wear SPF and cover skin when in the sun to avoid spots coming back. Lastly, make sure your skin isn’t too sensitive to the cinnamon.  If so, add more coconut oil or a teaspoon of olive oil.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (add more or a dash of olive oil if cinnamon concentrate is too potent) 

Anti-aging & Moisturizing Mask:  Grab your honey, coconut oil, and cinnamon measurements. Honey is not only anti-bacterial but super rich in hydration.  When combined with the moisturizing and cleansing value of coconut oil, this mixture becomes a heavenly hydrating blend which also fights bacteria.  Mix the ingredients in a bowl and apply all over face. Leave for 10-15 minutes, rinse with warm water. Follow with a gentle skin care regiment.

Ingredients (for both treatments):

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1 ½ tablespoon honey (add if using for anti-aging/moisture)

Anti-acne Mask:  The simple combo of cinnamon and honey stops acne-causing bacteria, soothes the skin, reduces redness, and restores moisture.  Coconut oil is dense in fatty acids which contain anti-microbial properties that effectively kill bacteria and fungi, banish pimples, and calms with its anti-inflammatory benefits. Honey is antibacterial and hydrating providing a natural humectant for the skin, locking in moisture without making it greasy. You can chose either one to this mask. Mix ingredients in a bowl, blend into a paste, and apply to the face for 15 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow with a daily/nightly gentle skincare regimen.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp coconut oil OR honey  

• 1 tsp cinnamon

Dry Skin Scrub:  Cinnamon, as we now know, has a lot of valuable properties and is great for eczema and dry skin.  Olive oil contains Vitamins A & E which restore the skin's elasticity and antioxidizes. Almond oil contains high amounts of Vitamins B & E, proteins, minerals, and good fats.  Honey can also be used for its antibacterial and moisturizing properties. Even raw sugar can be added to act as an exfoliant. *If you are using for body only replace sugar with sea salt.  This scrub is not only a face and body treatment but it also smells oh-so-lovely. You are welcome to add essential oils to this too. Combine the ingredients in a jar and mix well. Apply to the face and/or all over body, focusing on the dryer areas (if using on body, bring in the shower or bath). Gently rub into the skin in a circular motion and rinse clean.  Pat dry and you should feel softer skin right away! Store the remaining scrub in the refrigerator for later use. Use once a week or every other week. When the scrub appears to be breaking down toss and whip up a new batch! 

Ingredients for Face:

• 2 tablespoons of raw sugar 

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil OR almond oil

• 2 tablespoons of honey

• 1 teaspoon ground/raw cinnamon 

Ingredients for Body:

• ½ cup sea salt (body)

• ¼ cup coconut oil OR almond oil

• 1/8 cup olive oil

• 2 - 3 tablespoons honey (add if needed for thickness)

• 1 tablespoon ground/raw cinnamon

Cuckoo for CocoNUTS!

Coconut oil, that delicious dry drupe - what is it? That’s actually what it is, a dry drupe. But for the rest of us everyday people, it’s kind of a mixture of fruits, nuts, and seeds. Yes! This fabulous edible is a superfood that works wonders internally and externally.  From curing infections to taking makeup off, this stuff needs to make its way into your life. I cook, clean (myself), eat and moisturize with it. It’s truly one of the most multifaceted fruits I know of. 

Now, let’s get into why I wrote this post.  First, not only does coconut oil work on your insides as I mentioned, it’s also amazingly amazing for your skin.  The medium-chain fatty acids found in the nut contain antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that balance the fungal sources which cause many skin conditions.  This makes it an ideal fighter of acne, eczema, dandruff, burns, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Coconut oil can also aid in reducing inflammation, healing wounds, and moisturizing skin by holding in hydration. I personally keep a little pot of it in my pocketbook as a chapstick or hand moisturizer for on-the-go.

Second, coconut oil is very handy for removing stubborn-eye makeup.  It also leaves the eye area nice and soft. It can also be used on the body as a daily moisturizer.  It feels and smells great while warding off germs. Here are a few easy and beneficial recipes for your skin:

Coconut Oil Face Scrub: This is a great way to clean, hydrate and exfoliate those dead skin cells.  Mix coconut oil and raw sugar in a bowl. Once mixed, apply to your face with your hands and rub in a circular motion.  The oil will liquefy with the warmth of your skin. Do this for 2-3 minutes and rinse. The oil may leave a little residue but you’ll feel the benefits right away.  Feel free to do your daily/nightly skincare regiment after rinsing.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 Tablespoon of Virgin-Unfiltered Coconut Oil

• 1 Teaspoon of Raw or Brown Sugar

CocoNOT Anymore Pimple Pack: Here is a good, on-the-spot acne or blackhead treatment. Simply mix the coconut oil with baking soda and apply to problematic or congested areas.  Rub in a circular motion and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and gently towel dry. Use your daily, but preferably sensitive, skincare regiment after.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil

• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

COCO Glow Go Hydrating Mask: With this powerful skin care combo you will get your daily does of anti-oxidants, detoxifying the skin all while adding a glow of radiance. Mix ingredients in a bowl, you may have to warm up the coconut oil if its not mixing easily (pop in microwave or stove top for about 5-10 seconds). Apply all over your face and let sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and continue with your skincare regiment. Now grab your green tea, coconut oil, lemon juice and honey if you’re ready!

Ingredients: 

• 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil -

• ½ a Green Tea bag OR 1 Tablespoon of loose Green Tea Leaves

• 2 Tablespoons of Honey-

• 2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice

Makeup Remover, Lip Balm, Moisturizer:

Ingredients:

• Virgin- Unfiltered Coconut Oil

• Cotton Pads

• Small Container

Daily Use: Use coconut oil directly on areas that need hydration: lips, under eye area, body, etc.  As mentioned, I reuse little jars and pots for travel. I throw one in my bag so I have on hand daily or when traveling.  If using for makeup cleanser, simply rub into your hands and apply in a gentle, circular motion. Use cotton or a gentle cloth to remove any unwanted makeup.  Repeat and rinse until clean.

So in a coconut shell, I love this stuff.  Coconut oil is, like seriously, a lady’s best friend!  I’ve only mentioned a few but the list of benefits goes on and on.  Those mentioned were the ones that I think hold a ton of practical and useful info for us gals. Why run to the doctor every time we have an “issue”, and why run to the salon every time we have a split end?  These are just a handful of great ways to do it yourself, save a few bucks, and of course sound really smart next time you have that compelling conversation over cocktails with the crew. Read below for even more benefits of our tropical friend:

Hair Care.  Coconut oil is also a great remedy for dandruff because of its super-rich hydrating properties.  So, midwinter when everything is super dry, you should pretty much bathe in it and rub it into your roots. You can also add some of your favorite-natural oils to enhance the scent and you’ll have yourself a new conditioner.

Pulling.  Pulling coconut oil between your birds (aka teeth) will brighten your smile and help with gum disease and tooth decay.  Aggressively swish in your mouth 3x a week for about 20 minutes to help pull out the nasty bacteria in your mouth.  This will also help your immune system.

Weight Loss. Great skin and a skinny waist? Say what!? Remember those fatty acids mentioned earlier? Well, those fatty acids also improve thyroid function, help lower resting heart rate, and assist your body in burning fat for energy. Coconut oil also helps in breaking down fats and mimics how your body reacts when you fast. It can also help in building muscle! Who knew?

Get Your GOURDgeous Going

What do we really know about the festive fruit called pumpkin? I know when I think about them, I think of the cool air coming in at night, the changing leaves, wardrobe turning from tanks & tees to cozy sweaters & socks, the crisp harvest moon, toasty bevys by the fire, scary movies, comfort food, and all that jazz. Lots of us even get crafty and carve spooky faces in our orange friends, perhaps cooking up the insides in yummy baked goods or toasty seeded treats.  But did you know these seasonal symbols are also packed with skin-food goodness? Yup! Pumpkins are loaded with beauty benefits. Now grab some of those gushy guts for some self-TLC time. 

So, here’s the skinny on how these gourds can make you (even more) gorgeous. Pumpkins contain loads of vitamins which are not only great to ingest but, when applied to your skin, can be mega powerful in combating dryness, wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.  They are loaded with Vitamin C which, as we probably know by now, is a powerful antioxidant. They are also a great source of beta-carotene and Vitamin A. These properties work together in several ways to combat aging. They help to soften the skin and boost its collagen production to prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. It also reverses UV and free-radical damage (two big culprits for wrinkles -- and even worse -- skin cancer) because of its antioxidants, beta-carotene, and Vitamin C.

The gourd and its seeds are also superstars for fighting acne because of their high levels of Vitamins E, B2 (riboflavin), B6, niacin, zinc, and folate. Here are some quick facts on these blemish blasters and what they do: Folate helps to increase circulation which improves cell turnover and renewal (also great for anti-aging). Niacin improves circulation which is very helpful in treating acne. Zinc heals skin and controls oil production and hormone levels, and fights free radicals in the environment. And lastly, you will find one of our fave fatty acid friends, Vitamin E, which deoxidizes the skin and helps minimize acne scars. 

All skin types can benefit from the nourishing properties provided by the ole Jack-o-pumpkin! Keep in mind any allergies and sensitivities- you can test patch an area of skin first to check, I suggest behind the ear. Here are some super-simple recipes which will help soften and fight off those wrinkles:

Straight Up Pumpkin (for all skin types): Scoop out the pumpkin guts and seeds, then blend till you get a nice thick paste and seeds are pretty well ground. Apply to clean skin, leave on for 10-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow with your daily/nightly skincare moisturizer and eye cream, you might want to avoid serums or retinol products after masks.

• 1/2 cup of pumpkin with or without seeds (blend if using seeds)

Hydrating Honey & Pumpkin: Scoop out the pumpkin guts and seeds (if you want the added benefits), then blend with honey until you get a thick paste- add more honey to thicken or if needed.

• 1/2 cup pumpkin innards 

• 2 tablespoons honey

Pimples be GONE: Scoop out the pumpkin guts and seeds (if you want the added benefits), then blend with yogurt and cinnamon till you get a thick paste.

• 1/3 cup pumpkin innards and seeds (blended) 

• 1/3 cup of plain yogurt

• 1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon

Glowing Gourd & Egg: Scoop out the pumpkin guts and seeds (if you want the added benefits), then blend a and mix with a beaten egg.

• 1/3 cup of pumpkin

• 1 full egg