Honey, though delicious to eat, has many uses other being smothered on pancakes, carrots, salmon and carrots. This sweet substance can be used in many of your daily beauty rituals.
Raw honey is an amazing natural beauty solution for all skin types because of its healing skin benefits. From treating acne, bad sunburn, rosacea and eczema – honey has added benefits keeping you looking your best.
Table of Contents
Beauty benefits of honey
The antioxidants in honey can help repair and protect against skin damage; honey also contains enzymes that make dull hair shine – so glossy locks are a given when you start using this in your routine.
With its natural pH level of 4.5, raw honey falls within skin’s naturally healthy pH range. Its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties make it great for healing cuts and burns by killing bacteria and fungus. Raw honey also contains gluconic acid, a mild alpha hydroxy acid that brightens the complexion, evens out skin tone, and lightens scars and age spots.
Depending on where the honey is collected from, it contains many nutrients and minerals excellent for skin health such as vitamin B, iron, manganese, copper, potassium and calcium. It also acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin and is perfect as a gentle cleansing solution for very sensitive skin. When mixed with water, honey releases peroxide properties which helps to heal acne and impede bacterial growth causing more acne.
Try these 9 DIY beauty recipes that champion honey as your newest beauty secret. With only a couple of other ingredients, that most of you will already have lurking in your cupboards, you can easily make all of these recipes and incorporate them into your beauty routine.
You might also like: Beauty benefits of lanolin
9 DIY beauty recipes
Scar fader
Ingredients: 1tsp raw honey, 1 tsp coconut or olive oil
Directions: Mix ingredients together, apply to the affected area. Massage with fingertips in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes. Place a hot washcloth over the skin, let sit until cool. Repeat daily.
Benefit: Honey’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds decrease scar’s appearance and promote skin recovery. Hydrating properties in the ingredients help revive skin cells.
You might also like: Homemade eye masks for bright peepers
Hair conditioner
Ingredients: 1 tbsp raw honey, 2 tbsp coconut oil
Directions: Mix ingredients together, apply to the bottom two-thirds of damp hair, starting at the ends and working up. Rinse well
Benefit: Enzymes and nutrients in raw honey give dull hair shine. The coconut oil works to smooth the cuticles.
Acne treatment
Ingredients: Raw honey
Directions: Apply a dab of honey to the affected areas. Let sit for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with warm water
Beauty benefits: Antibacterial and antifungal properties combat bacteria that can lead to breakouts. Anti-inflammatory properties calm redness and irritation.
You might also like: Acne myths cleared up
Bath soak
Ingredients: 2 tbsps raw honey, 1 cup of hot water
Directions: Mix ingredients together until dissolved, pour into a tub of warm water and soak
Benefit: Antioxidants in honey will repair skin and protect against damage.
Cuticle moisturiser
Ingredients: 1 tbsp raw honey, 1tsp apple cider vinegar, 1tsp coconut oil
Directions: Mix ingredients together, rub over cuticles, let sit for 10-15 minutes and rinse away
Benefit: Honey’s nutrients and enzymes nourish and heal the skin. Coconut oil conditions and protects. And the apple cider vinegar softens the skin and balances pH for healthy growth.
Gentle exfoliator
Ingredients: 2tbsp raw honey, 1tbsp baking soda
Directions: Mix ingredients together, splash skin with water, rub on face or body in a circular motion and then rinse well
Benefit: Contains antioxidants, enzymes, and nutrients that nourish, cleanse and hydrate the skin. Baking soda is a gentle exfoliator that removes dead skin cells.
You might also like: Homemade facial scrubs
Moisturising mask
Ingredients: 1tsp raw honey
Directions: Spread raw honey on clean, dry skin, let sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Benefit: Honey draws moisture from the air into the skin and provides long-lasting hydration.
Pore cleanser
Ingredients: 1 tbsp raw honey, 2 tbsp jojoba or coconut oil
Directions: Mix ingredients together, apply to clean, dry skin and massage gently in a circular motion, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water
Benefit: Enzymes clarify the skin and keep pores clear and clean. Antibacterial properties of honey and jojoba or coconut oil prevent bacteria build-up.
Sunburn treatment
Ingredients: 1 part raw honey, 2 parts Aloe vera gel
Directions: Mix ingredients together and apply to sunburned skin
Benefit: Honey restores hydration to the deepest layers of sun-exposed skin. Both ingredients are anti-inflammatory and can calm burned skin and aid recovery.