Honey Skin Care Tips
Mask and Wrinkle Removal

What are the benefits of honey skin care? How do you make your own honey mask, facial scrubs and moisturizing lotions.

We all know that honey is one of nature's most delicious treats, but did you know that there are many topical uses for honey as well?

There are at least four reasons why it is so effective in beautifying your skin:

Honey Skin Care Benefit #1:
Nutrition Rich

Honey is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which are wonderful beauty aids that nourish the skin.

Honey is high in vitamin C, a variety of B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid, as well as minerals such as potassium. It is rich in amino acids, the basic building blocks of life, essential to our very existence.

Further information can be found in the Honey Nutrition.

Honey Skin Care Benefit #2:
Antioxidant Rich

Honey contains powerful antioxidants which fight free radicals and reverse aging.

Free radicals are everywhere - in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even the sunlight we love so much. Every moment, the body absorbs oxygen and turns it into energy in a process called oxidation. This process also releases free radicals.

Antioxidants slow down aging by neutralizing these free radicals. They perform healing at the deepest cellular level, allowing the benefits to manifest in a myriad of different ways.

Further information can be found in Honey Antioxidant.

Honey Skin Care Benefit #3:
Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal

Honey is a well known antibacterial and antifungal agent. It helps disinfect and speed the healing process in wounds, scrapes and burns.

In addition to the enzymes found in honey, which may help the healing process, honey also contains antioxidants and flavonoids that may function as antibacterial agents.

Pinocembrin is the most abundant flavonoid in propolis, and has been proven to have antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

A 1999 study conducted by the University of Wales Institute found that unpasteurised honey produced an antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria found readily in our environment that can cause infections, especially in open wounds.

Other reports indicate that honey is effective at inhibiting Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.

Honey Skin Care Benefit #4:
Effective Moisturizer

Honey is rich and thick, making it an effective moisturizer. Like other humectants, honey binds moisture to the skin and helps it stay hydrated.

So it not only smoothes dry, rough, wrinkled skin, but honey also makes skin supple and plumps up wrinkles. Honey is a valuable moisturizer for your face as well as your body.

Honey Skin Care Tips

Facial cleansing scrub
Mix honey with ground almonds and scrub on face.

Firming mask
Whisk a tablespoon of honey together with an egg white, 1 teaspoon of glycerin and about 1/4 cup of flour. Smooth on the face, leave on 15 minutes, and rinse off with warm water. You will be pleased with the results.

Moisturizing pack
Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 teaspoons of whole milk, smooth over the face and throat, and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, and finish by splashing with cold water.

Moisturizing lotion
Have dry patches of skin on hands, elbows, or other parts? Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and a 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice, then apply. Wash off after 15 minutes.

Lip balm
Honey works well on chapped lips and for acne because it has antibacterial properties.

Hair shine
Mix 1 teaspoon of honey into 4 cups of warm water. Use as a hair rinse. And if you're a blond, add the juice of 1 lemon.

References

R A Cooper, P C Molan, and K G Harding (1999). Antibacterial activity of honey against strains of Staphylococcus aureus from infected wounds. J R Soc Med. 1999 June; 92(6): 283–285.

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