Honey for Skin Care

Honey is an all natural ingredient which is popularly used in commercial skin care products because of its antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.

Anti-microbial properties contained in honey kills and stops the spread of bacteria and fungi. This is possible since the anti-microbial properties contain an enzyme that has the ability to produce hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is effective in destroying bacteria and fungi. When honey is applied to an injury the hydrogen peroxide mixes with the fluids in the wound and acts as an antiseptic healing the punctured skin.

There are over 300 types of honey since honeybees tend to collect nectar from a wide range of flowers. When honey bees collect nectar from only one type of flower and produce honey it's called mono-floral honey but if the nectar is collected from more than one flower it’s known as poly-floral honey. 

The flavor, color and fragrance of honey vary according to the type of flower its nectar was extracted from. For example in New Zealand grows a beautiful shrub called the Mānuka tree. Honeybees visit this shrub to drink the nectar from its flowers and produce a honey called Mānuka honey.

Mānuka honey is a mono-floral honey variety and has a dark color syrup with a rich intense flavor to it.

Mānuka honey is also rich in antibacterial properties which is why it’s been used since traditional times to treat wounds. Mānuka honey works best when it’s used in its natural state (raw) with no additives added to it.

To apply Mānuka honey on a wound first clean the wound with warm water. Then spread a generous layer of the honey on a piece of gauze and place it over the wound. Secure the ends of the gauze with bandage tape to prevent the gauze from falling off. The gauze helps to prevent any bacteria entering the wound and infecting it. You can read more of the healing benefits of Mānuka honey here.

Honey’s healing abilities and its effectiveness in helping remove dirt, grime and dead cells from the skin has made it one of the main ingredients used when making many homemade skin care products.

Listed below are a few easy to make scrubs and toners made using honey.

Ingredients:

•  Honey – 1 tablespoon
• Ground almonds – 1 tablespoon
• Dry oatmeal – 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice – ½ teaspoon
• Yogurt – 1 teaspoon
• Ice cube - 1

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Apply to wet face. Make sure to gently massage the forehead, cheeks, chin and nose with the scrub for 2-3 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Rub the ice cube on the face.

Ingredients:

•  Honey – 4 tablespoons
• Olive oil – 4 tablespoon
• Sea Salt – 6 tablespoons

Mix all the ingredients together. Apply on wet skin and gently massage using a loofah. Rinse off with warm water.

*This is an ideal scrub for the body including the feet.

Ingredients:

•  Egg white – 1
• Lime/lemon Juice – 1 teaspoon
• Honey – 1 teaspoon
• Ice cube - 1

Beat the egg in a bowl with a fork or whisk. Add the lemon juice and honey and keep beating until all ingredients are fully mixed. Apply on face avoiding the eyes, eyelids and lips. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off with warm water. Rub the ice cube on the face.

Ingredients:

•  1 cucumber
• 2 teaspoons honey

Peel the cucumber and cut into 1-inch pieces. Blend the pieces into a pulp using a blender. Remove and strain. Take the strained juice and mix it with the honey. Apply on cleansed face.

*This is an ideal toner to tighten pores.