Aside from being a wonderful Christmas scent and excellent spice to use in your cooking, cinnamon can be used not only throughout the home, but in the beauty world too.

Cinnamon (cinnamomum verum) is an evergreen tree of the laurel (lauraceae) family and sometimes known as Ceylon cinnamon. The warm and sweet spice cinnamon that we know today is derived from the bark of the tree – which is dried out, forming hollow sticks called quills. Cinnamon essential oil is typically derived either from the leaves of the cinnamon tree, or the quills after being distilled. 

From essential oil diffusers to skin and haircare products, people are finding more ways to make the most of this aromatic ingredient. Discover the wide-ranging benefits of cinnamon essential oil. 

Cinnamon essential oil benefits

1. Effective antibacterial and antimicrobial agent

Cinnamon has been found to be both antimicrobial and antibacterial in nature, making it useful across a variety of industries including food and beverages, health supplements and cosmetics. 

When used in cosmetics, being antibacterial is a huge benefit as the ingredient can help to prevent harmful bacteria from becoming trapped in the pores. This trapped bacteria often leads to congestion and acne, and can become red, painful and bothersome.

2. Fights free radicals

Cinnamon essential oil is an effective antioxidant, helping to fight free radicals in the body. Studies have found that when compared with nine other essential oils – such as ylang-ylang, tea tree and thyme – cinnamon essential oil had the highest free radical scavenging activity. 

While the body does sometimes produce its own free radicals, they can be introduced to our bodies from the outside world – with a huge factor being pollution. Antioxidants help to protect the skin from environmental stressors and prevent free radicals from being released in the body.

Free radicals are released when oxygen atoms in the body split after coming into contact with another chemical. Antioxidants help to prevent free radicals causing damage to your skin cells by binding to free radicals, as they are stable enough to donate an electron and provide free radicals with an electron pairing. As the free radicals now have their missing electron pair, they do not need to ‘steal’ an electron from somewhere else and damage a healthy cell. 

Free radical damage may not be immediately noticeable on the skin, but persistent free radical damage accumulates. Those with free radical damage can experience skin complaints such as dryness, sagging, age spots, broken blood vessels, uneven pigmentation, fine lines and crepey skin.

3. Anti-inflammatory properties

Studies have shown that cinnamon bark essential oil significantly inhibits the production of several protein biomarkers that are involved in inflammation and as such, that cinnamon oil may be useful in reducing inflammation. 

Skin inflammation can be a key component of several facial skin conditions. Incorporating cinnamon essential oil into your skincare routine may be helpful in trying to reduce this symptom.

Can cinnamon oil be used on skin?

Cinnamon oil can be used on the skin – however, you should only do so when the oil is diluted.

Cinnamon essential oil that has been diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil is safe to use on the skin, and can provide the skin with free radical fighting, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial benefits. 

What does cinnamon essential oil smell like?

Exuding comfort and warmth, cinnamon essential oil typically has a sweet yet spicy scent, with woody undertones.

While cinnamon oil has a multitude of benefits for both skin and hair, it also makes for a sumptuous addition to fragrance. Find out how we’re upcycling cinnamon into our perfume. 

UpCircle dives into the world of fragrance

Having lovingly upcycled dozens of ingredients into natural skin and haircare, UpCircle have ventured into the world of fragrance. Proving that fragrance can also be sustainable, ‘Flaura’ and ‘Santelle’ harmonise the art of perfumery with environmental stewardship, into two delightful scents.

If you’d like to test out the fragrances before committing to a full-size bottle, try our Perfume Sample Vials.

UpCircle’s co-founder, Anna Brightman, shared her thoughts on the latest release: “With great excitement, we introduce our latest venture – a pair of refillable perfumes that exemplify the joy of development in a distinct style, separate from our main skincare range. Both scents carry their own captivating story, allowing you to embark on a sensory journey like no other.”

The scent ‘Flaura’ upcycles cinnamon oil to add a subtle touch of spice and vanilla-scented aroma to the perfume, balancing its floral sweetness. Discover more about ‘Flaura’ and its aroma. 

Sustainable ‘Flaura’ Perfume

If a vibrant floral aura is what you’re looking for, then our ‘Flaura’ scent is your perfect match. 

Opening brightly with uplifting freshness, Flaura is a scent blooming with white flowers and sensuality, surrounding you with effervescent positivity. Each glass bottle of fragrance is refillable, completely recyclable and handmade in the UK. 

• Top notes: Fresh, sparkling and uplifting bergamot with the juicy sweetness of blackcurrant.
• Heart notes: A floral aura from honeyed petals of orange blossom, green jasmine sambac and peachy tuberose. 
• Base notes: A radiant base of Virginia cedarwood, velvety vanilla pods and warm fluffy musks.

Upcycling a staggering four ingredients, ‘Flaura’ makes use of the spiced vanilla scented cinnamon oil. Sourced from independent farmers in Sri Lanka – known for producing cinnamon of exceptionally high quality – the cinnamon we use has a lighter and sweeter scent than Madagascan cinnamon.

Most commonly sold in the food and tea industries due to its spicy and refined aroma, only the most beautiful cinnamon sticks make it to the market. Less uniform sticks, or the chips that are not considered “valuable” enough for the spice market, are used to create the cinnamon essential oil that we upcycle.

Other upcycled ingredients in this perfume include Orange Oil, Helvetolide, Cedarwood Virginia Essential Oil and Jasmin Sambac Absolute, culminating in a delicately fresh floral perfume that exudes positivity. 

Discover our full range of cruelty-free and vegan products, including skincare, haircare and body care.