Acne Care Skin Care: Secret Ingredients That Spice Up Your Routine

Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Baking Soda — Not Just for Cookies Anymore

Kathleen Steadwater

Cinnamon and nutmeg have been used for thousands of years as healing aids for various ailments including digestive problems. The properties of these common spices have also been found to help with acne care. Skin care has taken an interesting turn with ingredients from your spice rack and kitchen cupboard. Here's how a few seemingly ordinary baking ingredients can be your acne solution:

Cinnamon is one of the oldest herbal medicines known and it's been used for thousands of years as an antiseptic, astringent, antifungal and anti-viral aid, among its many other uses. Its astringent and antiseptic properties have made ground cinnamon a common ingredient in at-home acne treatment products.

Nutmeg is also often used internally to calm digestive problems, however, ground nutmeg serves as a natural anti-inflammatory, which means it reduces swelling, redness and irritation that is associated with acne. Nutmeg is also said to improve skin tone.

Baking soda is extremely absorbent powder made up of tiny crystals. When mixed with a little water, it too becomes a past that can be applied only to acne pimples or used as a scrub for the entire face. It is effective at absorbing excess oil and acts to neutralize acid on your skin.

Honey is a natural antiseptic and is often used to treat and sterilize wounds. Although it's predominantly made up of various sugars and water, it is also full of beneficial vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other things that are nourishing to your skin. Plus, honey pulls moisture out of the air, infusing it into your skin, a process that helps prevent scarring.

Used together, these four ingredients make a great acne treatment product that is natural and safe for acne care. Skin care using these ingredients means a natural, safe and medicine-free acne solution.

Mix one or more of the powders with a small amount of honey to create a paste. This paste can then be used as a spot acne treatment product or applied all over the face as a gentle, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, oil-absorbing, healing scrub.

If using the spot treatment method apply the paste and leave it on for a few minutes until it dries slightly, then rinse off with water and pat the area dry. If opting for the scrub, add a little bit of water to loosen the paste and gently rub over your face, avoiding your eyes. Rinse with water and pat your skin dry. Because of the astringent and oil absorbing properties, your skin may feel tight. Follow up with a light, oil-free moisturizer to ensure that your skin doesn't overcompensate for the dryness by producing even more oil.