Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil
Cinnamomum zeylanicum — Steam Distilled — Sri Lanka
Ceylon — modern day Sri Lanka — has been the world's source of true cinnamon for over two thousand years. Ancient Egyptian traders sought it. Arab merchants controlled its trade routes for centuries. European powers fought over access to it. Of all the spices that shaped human history, few have commanded more desire, more conflict, or more reverence than the cinnamon that still grows in the lush, humid lowlands of this extraordinary island.
Cinnamon leaf oil is the more grounded, more robustly spiced sibling of cinnamon bark — distilled from the leaves rather than the inner bark, it delivers a bolder, more herbaceous warmth that is deeply familiar and yet somehow more complex than the sweeter bark oil most people know from the kitchen. It is the scent of cinnamon as a living plant rather than a dried spice — green and warm and deeply alive.
Recommended uses:
Skincare: Add 1 drop to a facial serum or unscented moisturiser to support clarified, balanced skin. Particularly useful for oily or congested skin that benefits from the oil's naturally purifying aromatic properties. Dilute carefully at no more than 0.5-1% for facial application — this is a potent oil that requires proper dilution.
Massage: Blend 2-3 drops in a carrier oil for a deeply warming massage that gets circulation moving and eases physical tension. Particularly effective on cold, stiff muscles — the warming quality of cinnamon leaf is felt almost immediately on application. Always dilute properly and avoid sensitive skin areas.
Aromatherapy: Diffuse 3-5 drops to fill your space with a rich, spiced warmth that is simultaneously grounding and invigorating. One of the best oils for creating a cozy, welcoming home atmosphere — particularly through autumn and winter when something warm and familiar in the air makes a genuine difference to how a space feels.
Hair and scalp: Add 1-2 drops to a carrier oil or your regular shampoo for a warming, invigorating scalp treatment that supports circulation and helps address buildup. Use sparingly and rinse thoroughly — cinnamon leaf is stimulating and a little goes a long way.
Scent profile: Bold, warm, and spiced with a distinctly herbaceous depth and clove-like undertones that distinguish it clearly from the sweeter, more familiar cinnamon bark. A middle to base note that adds warmth, depth, and complexity to any blend it enters — used in moderation, it transforms.
Blending: Cinnamon leaf is a powerful accent oil — use it to add warmth and spiced depth rather than as a dominant note. Pairs beautifully with clove, orange, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood. Also exceptional in winter blends alongside frankincense, benzoin, and vanilla for a rich, festive aromatic combination.
Safety: For external use only. Cinnamon leaf is a dermal sensitiser and must always be properly diluted before skin application — maximum 0.5-1% for body use, 0.5% or less for facial application. Always perform a patch test before first use. Avoid use on sensitive, damaged, or inflamed skin. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children. Not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use if you have sensitive skin or known spice allergies.