Honey: Skin and Hair-Care Gold

By the Editor | December 18, 2010

Honey has for centuries been the workhorse of natural beauty and health.  Ancient Egyptians used it for face and body and even for health, including cataracts, cuts, and burns.  The Greeks, most notably Hippocrates, used honey for skin disorders and ulcers.

In our current fascination with the new and the manufactured, many of us have forgotten the wonders of nature.  Honey should be a staple in anyone’s beauty cabinet.

Honey contains small amounts of niacin, riboflavin (aids energy production and warding off of certain diseases), pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese (ensures healthy bones), phosphorus, potassium, zinc (aids immune and digestive systems), and other vitamins and minerals that do a world of good wherever it’s applied.  It’s the only known food that does not rot, to boot.

Honey isn’t simply a miracle food; it is also a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture, ideal for those looking for new wrinkles daily in the mirror.  Those suffering from troubled or oily skin may also benefit, however, as honey is also an anti-irritant and free-radical scavenger.

Something as easy as applying it to one’s face every morning and letting it sit for 10 minutes can smooth skin, remove acne-causing bacteria, ward off wrinkles, and more.  Here are several more beauty recipes in which honey plays the starring role.

Cleansing Scrub

Mix 1 tbsp honey with 2 tbsp finely ground almonds and ½ tsp lemon juice.  Rub (gently) on face and rinse with warm water.

Skin Toner

Puree an apple with 1 tbsp honey in a blender.  Apply to face and leave on for 15 minutes.  Rise with cool water.

Firming Face Mask

Whisk 1 tbsp honey, 1 egg white, 1 tsp glycerin, and flour enough to make mixture into a paste (about ¼ cup).  To ward off wrinkles and smooth out existing ones, gently apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.

Wash-Off Body Moisturizer

Mix 1 tsp honey with 1 tsp vegetable oil and ¼ tsp lemon juice.  Apply to dry areas (elbows, knees, heels) and leave on for 10 minutes.  It might be a good idea to do this in a bath so you don’t drip all over the house.  Rinse with warm water after 10 minutes.

Hair Conditioner

Mix half ½ cup honey with 2 tbsp olive oil (3 tbsp if your hair is coarse).  Apply to hair and put on a shower cap, taking care not to let it drip onto your face if you have troubled skin as you might break out from the olive oil.  After 30 minutes or so, wash out the mixture from your hair.  If applied thoroughly, this recipe can make up to 2 conditioning sessions even for those with long hair.

Bio: Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education and performs research surrounding online kinesiology degree programs. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

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Topics: Herbal Skin Care, Natural Skin Care, Skin Care, Skin Care Ingredients, Skin Care Recipes, Skin Care Tips, Skin MD Blog | No Comments »

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