Fine Lines

finelinesmagazine.com 11 From candles to lattes, pumpkin spice has spent the last decade establishing itself as the spicy greeting for fall. In celebration of the season, let's look at the spices that make up this popular mix, and how they benefit the skin. CINNAMON Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of a variety of species of evergreen trees from the genus cinnamomum. Though there are similar properties, cinnamon is generally separated into two main categories, cassia and Ceylon. Cassia cinnamon is the most common, and probably what you have in your spice rack. Ceylon is generally thought to be of a higher quality, and therefore more expensive and harder to find. Both varieties hold antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant skin benefits, which makes cinnamon an option for addressing acne, acne scarring, and antiaging. 1 A preliminary study examined a topical cinnamon gel and its effect on acne and found that eight weeks after treatment, the participants had a 47 percent decrease in total lesion count, a 48 percent decrease in noninflamed lesions, and a 42 percent decrease in inflamed lesions. 2 Direct application of cinnamon oil on the skin can cause irritation, so talk to your esthetician about how it can be used in your skin care protocols. NUTMEG Nutmeg comes from the seeds of a tropical evergreen tree, the myristica fragrans. It contains many phytonutrients and has antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Experts also suggest that components from nutmeg have skin- brightening properties, specifically for sun-damaged skin. 3 Nutmeg also stimulates healthy hair growth for long, strong, shiny locks. GINGER Ginger, Zingiber officinale, is a flowering plant whose root is widely used in natural, homeopathic medicine to comfort tummy aches and skin lesions. It is loaded with antioxidants and is known as a powerful anti- inflammatory. One chemical component, gingerol, is a natural melanin inhibitor, which makes ginger a choice ingredient for brightening formulations. 4 Gingerol is also an effective pain-relieving compound and will reduce inflammation in irritated skin. Ginger is excellent for all skin types and conditions and is especially effective in evening out skin pigment. CLOVE Clove, Eugenia caryophyllata, is the reddish-brown flower bud of a tropical evergreen tree from the Myrtaceae (myrtle) family. It is proven to have antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Skin benefits include its influence on tissue health and production and its ability to fight against P-bacteria in acne. 5 Clove oil can be irritating, so the proper dilution is key. In addition to skin benefits, it can also fight yeast infections, hair loss, and dandruff, and its analgesic properties make it a homeopathic remedy for temporary dental pain. ALLSPICE Allspice comes from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica, an evergreen shrub. They are picked when they are ripe and then dried in the sun until they turn brown and resemble peppercorn kernels. Allspice is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals—specifically, copper. Copper from allspice acts not only as a powerful antioxidant, but also as an important coenzyme in the production of collagen. 6 In addition to skin benefits, the vitamin A and B9 in allspice are great for improving and maintaining cognitive function and for treating arthritis. ▪ Notes 1. Maedeh Ghovvati et al., "Efficacy of Topical Cinnamon Gel for the Treatment of Facial Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Study," Biomedical Research and Therapy 6, no. 1 (January 2019): 2,958–65, https:// doi.org/10.15419/bmrat.v6i1.515; Ivana Binic et al., "Skin Ageing: Natural Weapons and Strategies," Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013, no. 827248 (January 2013): 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/827248. 2. Maedeh Ghovvati et al., "Efficacy of Topical Cinnamon Gel for the Treatment of Facial Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Study." 3. Kyung-Eun Lee et al., "Effects of Macelignan Isolated from Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) on Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and Type I Procollagen in UVB-Irradiated Human Skin Fibroblasts," Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 35, no. 10 (October 2012): 1,669–75, https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.b12-00037. 4. Ivana Binic et al., "Skin Ageing: Natural Weapons and Strategies." 5. YuJie Fu et al., "The Antibacterial Activity of Clove Essential Oil Against Propionibacterium acnes and Its Mechanism of Action," Archives of Dermatology 145, no. 1 (January 2009): 86–88, https:// doi.org/10.1001/archdermatol.2008.549. 6. Gadi Borkow, "Using Copper to Improve the Well-Being of the Skin," Current Chemical Biology 8, no. 2 (August 2014): 89–102, https:// doi.org/10.2174/2212796809666150227223857. Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician and author for ASCP Skin Deep magazine.

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