Cinnamon is such a delicious flavor and scent, and when added to lip balms and other beauty recipes, it creates a warming sensation that plumps the lips. Try these homemade cinnamon lip plumper recipes to plump lips naturally.
Does cinnamon really plump your lips?
Yes! The irritation increases blood flow to your lips for a short-lived naturally fuller effect. And cinnamon can also be good for chapped lips.
Full of powerful antioxidants and polyphenols, cinnamon also has the ability to repair damaged tissue [source]. And, thanks to its antibacterial properties, cinnamon may even help prevent recurrent painful fissures or splitting of the lips.
Patch test first! Before you put anything on your lips, dab some on a spot like the inside of your arm and see how it feels.
When working with cinnamon essential oil, start with just the barest drop of oil mixed in with your base, and if it isn’t irritating the skin on your arm, give it a shot on your lips.
Here are some recipes to try:
1. Cinnamon and Sugar Lip Scrub
You will need
—2 tablespoons brown sugar
—½ tablespoon olive oil
—½ tablespoon raw honey
—½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Combine the above ingredients in a mixing bowl. Apply to lips with fingertips and gently slough off dry, dead skin cells by scrubbing in circular motions. It is important to use a gentle technique and not over-exfoliate to prevent small tears in the skin.
Rinse with warm water and follow with lip balm. Use this scrub once or twice a week
How it works
A little exfoliation will prep your lips to receive the healing properties of lip balm treat the chapped lips that occasionally accompany the season. Not to mention it'll leave your lips naturally plumper—and smelling of fall! Double win!
2. Cinnamon Oil + Coconut Lip Balm
Lip balm all day every day (and overnight too), keeping your lips soft and well moisturized keeps them looking a bit fuller than they otherwise would - at least in my experience. The vitamin E in this recipe will not only add to the lip balm’s shelf life, but it will also increase its hydration factor.
Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties [source] that protect the skin from the sun’s harmful effects and damage from toxins and the environment. This well-known oil can nourish, soothe, and protect the skin, along with the lips.
You will need
—4 tablespoons coconut oil
—1 tablespoons beeswax pellets
—2–3 vitamin E capsules
—¾ tablespoon raw honey
—5 drops cinnamon essential oil
—lip balm containers
Instructions
In a double boiler, combine the coconut oil and beeswax. Over low heat, stir until both are completely melted. If you prefer your plumping lip balm to have a firmer consistency, you can increase the amount of beeswax and decrease the coconut oil. And if you prefer a softer balm, reduce the beeswax and add more coconut oil.
Remove from heat, then add the vitamin E (puncture the capsules and squeeze), honey, and essential oil.
Transfer to lip balm containers. You’ll have about 5–10 minutes until the product begins to solidify.
How it works
Use the lip balm whenever your lips feel like they need a pick me up and some extra moisture and enjoy the cinnamon scent while its plumping your lips.
3. Cinnamon Extract + Vaseline Lip Gloss
You will need
—Lipstick
—Un-petroleum jelly
—Almond oil
—Cinnamon extract or flavor
—Lip gloss container
Instructions
1. Put a glob of petroleum jelly in a microwave safe bowl and add a small bit of lipstick. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir to combine. If needed, microwave a few more seconds until everything is melted. Make sure to stir it well so that the lipstick pigment is evenly dissolved in the jelly.
2. Add a few drops of almond oil and 3-5 drops of cinnamon extract. Pour mixture into a lip gloss container and let cool before using.
How it works
Almond makes everything a little softer and more nourishing, plus adds a nice natural shine. A little bit of cinnamon goes a long way so use a dropper to avoid overdoing it with the cinnamon. We want our lips to look and feel good! Check the flavor - add more if you want it hotter!
4. Cinnamon Oil + Shea Butter Lip Balm
You'll need
—½ ounce shea butter
—1 to 4 drops cinnamon essential oil
Instructions
Soften shea butter in the microwave for a few seconds, if needed. Then combine with the cinnamon oil in a small bowl. Stir and transfer to a small container with a lid.
How it works
Shea butter hydrates and protects lips while cinnamon oil adds natural plumpness.
Plumping Lip Balm FAQ
I am vegan. What can I use in place of beeswax and honey in this lip balm recipe?
Soy wax or carnauba wax are two great vegan alternatives to beeswax. But I definitely wouldn't recommend skipping the wax entirely, or you'll run into consistency issues when the coconut oil starts to soften.
To replace the honey, try vegetable glycerin or castor oil.
How can I prevent the honey from separating from the lip balm?
Honey, which is water-based, tends to settle at the bottom of the container when used in homemade bath and body products. There are two ways around this:
1. Let the melted oil mixture cool to almost room temperature (you should see it starting to form a film on top) before adding your honey. Then place it in the freezer for a few minutes to finish cooling.
The cooler the oils are when you add the honey, the less separation should occur. And by rapidly cooling the mixture after you've added the honey, you'll prevent further separation.
2. Use an emulsifying wax to bind the honey and oil-based ingredients and keep them from separating. Follow the instructions on the package to determine the amount of emulsifying wax required for this recipe.
What's the shelf life of DIY lip scrub and lip balm?
Homemade lip scrub should last approximately 2 weeks if kept refrigerated. Lip balm and oils should last about 6 months.
To make them last longer, you can use a natural preservative, such as Leucidal Liquid SF.
Can I use regular white sugar instead of brown sugar for the scrub?
Definitely. However, a fine-grained sugar such as caster sugar will be easier on your lips.
Where did you find your little jars?
These are similar to the ones we used.
The cinnamon irritates my lips; can I leave it out entirely?
Cinnamon's tingling action is what makes this plumping lip balm + scrub so magical. But yes, if it irritates your skin, it’s definitely best to leave it out entirely. It shouldn't affect the recipe.
Do you have a favorite fall beauty recipe to share? Let us know in the comments.
DIY Lip-Plumping Lip Balm + Scrub
Equipment
- Double boiler
- Measuring spoons
- small jar or lip balm containers
Materials
Lip Scrub with Cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon raw honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Plumping Lip Balm with Cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1-½ tablespoons beeswax pellets
- 2–3 vitamin E capsules
- ¾ tablespoon raw honey
- 15 drops cinnamon essential oil
Instructions
Lip Scrub with Cinnamon
- Combine the above ingredients in a mixing bowl. Apply to lips with fingertips and gently slough off dry, dead skin cells by scrubbing in circular motions. Rinse with warm water and follow with lip balm.
Plumping Lip Balm with Cinnamon
- In a double boiler, melt the coconut oil and beeswax over low heat. Remove from the heat. Then add the vitamin E liquid (puncture the capsules and squeeze), honey, and essential oil.
- Transfer to lip balm containers or a small jar. You’ll have about 5–10 minutes until it starts to solidify.
- Use the lip balm whenever your lips feel like they need a pick me up and some extra moisture.
Notes
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Rina Mary Allawh, M.D., a dermatologist who practices adult and pediatric medical dermatology, skin cancer treatment, and cosmetic dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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Spoorti says
Would it be alright if I did without the beeswax and honey and used coconut oil instead, or would it mess with the consistency? Is there anything else I can use in place of beeswax and honey?
Mickey says
Do you use cold pressed coconut oil or liquid coconut oil?
Michael Taus says
Tried this recipe and the honey separated from the balm.
Erin McKenna says
What’s the shelf life for the scrub since there is not a preservative? And the balm? Vit e is a natural preservative, so can you put some in the scrub?
Alliza Marie Reyes says
Is it okay to not use the Vitamin E capsule?
Heather Usrey Clements says
You can leave it out, but your lip balm will eventually go rancid. Vitamin E is a preservative, as well as being good for your lips.
Lizzy says
Hi! Where did you find those adorable containers? Thanks
Kari says
I used this recipe and was very disappointed. The honey does not mix well with the beeswax and coconut oil.
Spoorti says
Would you recommend ditching the honey then? I'm not sure if I want to include it since it seems to be an issue for many people.
Lily says
Can you use coconut oil instead of olive oil for the lip scrub?
Kate says
Yes!! I did and it was wonderful!!!
Lexie says
Can you use regular white sugar instead of brown sugar?
Aada says
I just used white sugar for the lip scrub and it worked great :)
Callie says
Hello,
I have a few questions. How much lip balm is the end product from your recipe? I'm trying to order little metal pots to put the balm in. I am going to make the scrub and lip balm for Christmas Presents. How long does the lip balm and scrub good for? When would it go bad?
Kate says
When I made this for my sister, she said it lasted about three months. ( before she used it all) :)
Carley says
Hey, I would like to do this recipe and, I was just wondering where you got these ADORABLE Jars. <3 c:
Cinnamon Vogue says
Nicely done and great photos too. Did you use Cinnamon Leaf Oil or Cinnamon Bark Oil in this formula? Definitely agree for the lip scrub you would have to use Cinnamon powder.
Magdalena O! says
How long do these last without going bad?
Jessica says
Where do you find those containers?
Ayesha says
can I use actual cinnamon instead of cinnamon essential oil? or would it not work?
Thanks! Looking forward to trying this!
Deborah says
The scrub uses actual cinnamon instead of essential oil, I’m sure you can give it a try for the lip balm, it might be a little gritty depending on how much you use, and might leave a little brown tint. If you end up trying it without the oil, let us know how you like it!
xo
Deborah
Zoe Chakos says
I used cinnamon oil for cooking instead of an essential oil and it is working very well and makes my lips look and feel really good!