Cinnamon Pure Essential Oil

Cinnamon essential oil comes from two different parts of Cinnamomum zeylanicum with significantly different compound profiles and safety thresholds. Bark oil is predominantly cinnamaldehyde — typically 55-75% — the compound responsible for the characteristic warm, spicy character and the strong antimicrobial activity. Leaf oil is predominantly eugenol — similar to clove — with a different scent profile and different dermal limits. Both are legitimate oils with different applications. They're not interchangeable and most commercial cinnamon oil doesn't specify which one you're getting.

We use bark oil, specified because bark is what most buyers are looking for when they think of cinnamon essential oil, and because the cinnamaldehyde profile is the more thoroughly researched for antimicrobial and warming applications. The Sri Lanka origin matters — Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) has a different, more complex profile than Cinnamomum cassia (cassia or Chinese cinnamon), which is cheaper, higher in cinnamaldehyde but harsher, and frequently substituted without disclosure.

Cinnamaldehyde is one of the most potent contact sensitisers in the essential oil category — more so than eugenol. The maximum dermal use rate for cinnamon bark oil in leave-on skin products is 0.07%. That's not a conservative guideline. It's the concentration at which sensitisation risk becomes significant based on documented adverse reaction data. For rinse-off products the threshold is higher but still low. Undiluted cinnamon bark oil causes chemical burns and can cause permanent sensitisation — meaning subsequent exposures even at correct dilution may trigger reactions.

The applications where cinnamon bark oil genuinely earns its place: diffusion in small amounts where the antimicrobial and warming scent character is the goal. DIY cleaning formulations where the documented broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of cinnamaldehyde is relevant. Oral care preparations at very low concentrations. Blending — a single drop in a larger carrier oil blend for occasional warming massage, correctly diluted to the 0.07% threshold.

Every batch is verified through PristiQuant™ — 40+ laboratory tests confirming cinnamaldehyde levels, species identity distinguishing zeylanicum from cassia, bark-source verification, and purity. Species and source material verification are the critical tests for this oil.

The scent is warm, rich, and distinctly spicy with the rounded complexity of Ceylon rather than the harsher edge of cassia. A very small amount in a diffuser blend dramatically changes the character of everything around it — treat it as a modifier rather than a base.

Botanical name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum  ·  Origin: Sri Lanka  ·  Extracted from: Bark  ·  Method: Steam distillation  ·  Scent: Warm, spicy, rich — use as a modifier, not a base

External use only. Extreme sensitisation risk — maximum 0.07% dilution for leave-on skin products. Do not apply undiluted under any circumstances. Undiluted application causes chemical burns and can cause permanent sensitisation. Avoid eyes, mucous membranes, and all sensitive areas. Not for children under 5. Not recommended during pregnancy. Anticoagulant properties — do not use before surgery or if taking blood-thinning medication. Consult a healthcare professional if relevant. Store in a cool, dry place. Naturally occurring allergens: cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, linalool. May produce an allergic reaction. Note: previous sensitisation to cinnamon or cinnamaldehyde contraindicates use entirely.