12 Ways to Use Honey As A Health and Beauty Product

Honey has been used as a health and beauty product for centuries. In ancient Greece honey was used in many cosmetic and anti-aging preparations, woman would anoint themselves with a mixture of honey and olive oil to protect their skin as well as for facial marks to promote a clear complexion. Throughout Egypt people have been using honey for centuries for its health benefits. It is even said that Egypt’s last active pharaoh, Cleopatra, bathed in a mixture of milk and honey as one of her anti-aging rituals. Even today, beauty formulators still heavily use honey in natural skin care treatments. As a natural humectant, honey can be used in a range of beauty products and can easily be used in at-home remedies to create amazing moisturizing products, full of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. Below we will talk more about the myriad of wonderful things honey can do for the skin when added to your beauty routine, for the best results though you want to make sure you are using a raw or unpasteurized honey.

1. Moisturizing Mask – So as I stated above, honey is a natural humectant which just means it’s a great moisturizing agent because it can retain or preserve moisture. Here’s a nice DIY recipe you can try at home and see for yourself: You can spread 1 tsp raw honey on clean, dry skin and leave on the skin for 20 minutes, all by itself. Rinse with warm water. And if you need a more in-depth treatment for your skin be sure to try out this recipe: Mix 1 Tbsp. buttermilk, 1 tsp honey and 1 egg yolk, then apply to the face (avoid the eyes!). Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

2. Help Scars Fade: In ancient Greece they relied on a mixture of Honey and Olive Oil in a number of their beauty treatments. They often used honey to lighten the skin, and in this way, it is useful in decreasing the appearance of scars by helping to increase healing and regenerate skin tissue. Try this at-home treatment to see the effects: Mix one tsp raw honey with 1 tsp coconut oil or olive oil. Apply to the area with the scar, and then place a hot washcloth over the skin, letting it sit until cool. You can then repeat every day.

3. Acne: Honey is a natural antibacterial and antimicrobial substance, so it’s great to use as an acne treatment, and also to calm redness and irritation. Simply dab honey on your blemishes or affected areas and let sit for 15. Rinse with warm water. It is also great for fighting acne when mixed with tea tree oil.

4. Pore Cleanser: Honey has enzymes in it that make it antibacterial and antimicrobial, which can work wonders to clarify your skin and clear your pores. Mix 2 Tbsp. coconut oil with 1 Tbsp. raw honey and apply to clean, dry skin (avoid the eyes). Then rinse. You’ll start to notice a more even tone and clearer complexion.

5. Rid Yourself of Rough and Dry Skin: By mixing honey with baking soda, you can create a wonderous natural body scrub to get rid of rough and dry skin, thanks to honeys moisturizing properties. To do this take two parts honey and one part baking soda and gently rub on the affected area in a circular motion then rinse with warm water.

6. Honey Bath Soak: Why not treat yourself like a pharaoh with this great bath soak straight from Cleopatra’s book. ¼ cup honey mixed with 2 cups milk and a few drops of essential oil. Add to a hot bath, sit back, and relax. You can keep it simple also by dissolving 2 Tbsp. of raw honey in 1 cup hot water. Then pour the cup into your tub; soak for however long you wish. You can also add a little baking soda to further soften skin.

7. Eczema or Dry Winter Skin: Sometimes we all need a little extra moisture for our skin, especially in those harsh winter months. Just mix 1 Tbsp. of honey with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and a dash of lemon juice and apply to elbows, knees and/or rough patches and let sit for 20 minutes, like a mask for your body. Rinse thoroughly. Another great way is to amp up your favorite moisturizer by just adding a few extra tablespoons of honey to it, this is especially great when mixed with a shea butter moisturizer.

8. For Nails and Cuticles: Again, I have to say how moisturizing honey really is, so why not use is for smoother, more youthful looking hands. Add is to your mani/pedi experience by mixing 1 tsp honey with 1 tsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp coconut oil. Rub over each cuticle, letting the nutrients and enzymes heal the skin for 10 minutes, then dip into lukewarm water.

9. Amplify Your Shampoo: By adding 1 tsp of honey with your regular shampoo, you can strengthen and help retain moisture in your hair. The trick is in thoroughly mixing the shampoo and honey; you might want to first try mixing in a bowl and really let the honey blend into the shampoo so it’s not quite as viscous and difficult to deal with. But do not fear, the honey washes out. It may seem daunting, but this trick will help condition and nourish dry, damaged strands.

10. Conditioning Mask: Raw honey will help boost shine and volume. For an at-home hair mask, mix 1 Tbsp. raw honey with 2 Tbsps. coconut oil. Apply completely to your hair, tips to roots. Let the mix work its magic for 20 minutes then rinse well (in a hot shower, to make sure all the ingredients “melt” out). You can substitute the coconut oil with olive oil.

11. Soothing Sunburns: Honey is soothing, protecting and will hydrate sunburned skin.  Mix 1 part honey with 2 parts Aloe Vera for a powerful, antimicrobial healing ointment.

12. Soft and Smooth Lips: If you have very chapped lips, you can apply honey directly to the lips and let it sit and do its moisturizing magic.