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.
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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 cinnamon lip plumper recipes to try:
1. Sugar and Cinnamon 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 for 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 will 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.
Start conservatively with the cinnamon oil. Add one drop and see how your skin and lips react. Then add another drop and check again. Add drops as needed.
How it works
Shea butter hydrates and protects lips while cinnamon oil adds natural plumpness.
FAQ
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.
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.
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.
Definitely. However, a fine-grained sugar such as caster sugar will be easier on your lips.
These are similar to the ones we used.
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.
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 reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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