Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a warming, aromatic spice extract used in UK skincare and haircare for its naturally stimulating and antioxidant properties. It adds a spicy scent to products and is popular in lip plumpers, scrubs and hair treatments. While it brings a pleasant tingle, it is used in low concentrations to avoid irritation.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics cinnamon extract and essential oil function primarily as a fragrance component, natural antimicrobial and mild circulatory stimulant. The cinnamaldehyde naturally present creates a gentle warming sensation on the skin or lips, which many brands harness in lip-plumping formulations and stimulating scalp treatments. It also offers antioxidant properties that help protect formulas from oxidation while contributing a spicy, festive aroma to seasonal body scrubs, washes and hair masks.
Key benefits
- Provides a natural warming sensation
- Delivers a spicy, festive fragrance
- Offers antioxidant properties
- Acts as a mild antimicrobial
- Stimulates the scalp when used in hair products
- Creates a plumping effect in lip care
Best for
oily skin, combination skin, normal skin, dull skin, scalp concerns
Where it comes from
Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of several tropical trees in the Cinnamomum genus, most commonly Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon) or Cinnamomum cassia. The bark is harvested, dried and rolled into quills or distilled to produce the essential oil used in cosmetics.