Why is honey so popular? It has proven its benefits for humans. There have been many studies made on the positive effects of honey. Research has shown that honey can improve your immune system, treat skin problems, and can be used as a natural beauty treatment to help make you look more radiant. It’s beneficial both internally and externally. Not only is it healthy for daily consumption, but you can also apply it directly to your skin to reap all the beauty benefits.
Before we begin, we’d like to remind everyone that we all have different skin so what might work for someone, could be a total mess for someone else, so please bear in mind that all these 10 things might not be directly applicable to you, so pick a few that you want to try and see the results.
Here are 10 beauty benefits of honey that will blow your mind!
1. Gentle exfoliator
If your regular face wash isn’t doing enough for you, try replacing it with honey. It's all-natural for starters and acts as a gentle exfoliator and pore cleanser. It will work wonders at getting rid of dirt and grime and make your skin clean, fresh, and clear. The older the honey, the more it will crystalize. Tiny granules form that act as a gentle exfoliator for your skin. If the honey you have in your cupboard is not so granulated, add organic brown sugar as the natural scrub.
To start with, first, wash your face with lukewarm water to open up the pores. Then, rub the honey in your hands and apply it to your face in a circular motion. It will start to break down as it melts when it comes into contact with your body heat. This way, it’s like a gentle scrub removing dead skin cells from your face. Leave it on for a few minutes. Then, clean it off with a wet face cloth.
2. Natural moisturizer
Why buy an expensive moisturizer when you have honey as an affordable natural alternative? Honey is fantastic because it moisturizes your skin, is perfectly safe for daily use, and won’t break the bank. When you apply honey to your skin, it has a moisturizing and soothing effect. It makes your skin feel softer and moister. This is an excellent alternative, particularly if you’re prone to dry skin. Sometimes regular lotion just doesn’t seem to work. You need something with more moisturizing properties, like honey.
For the best results, you should choose raw honey with a high concentration of royal jelly. Royal jelly is great for boosting collagen. Honey also contains a compound called rutin. It will smooth out your skin almost instantly. To make honey your natural moisturizer, just apply it to your skin and let it sit there for 20-30 minutes. Then, gently massage your face and rinse it with water.
3. Get rid of chapped lips
Because honey is a great natural moisturizer, it can be used for every part of your body, not only your skin. The minerals and enzymes in honey work really well at making your lips feel more hydrated and moisturized. To get rid of chapped lips, apply raw honey every day before you sleep. Leave it for a few minutes and then wash it off. You can also use it as a lip mask by adding sugar and gently rub it on your lips.
4. Fight acne
Are you frustrated with acne-fighting products that promise everything but never seem to deliver? Despite spending a small fortune your acne is still hanging around. Acne can be a massive issue for a lot of people because as well as the physical effects it can severely knock your confidence. If you’ve tried every product and your acne just doesn’t seem to shift, why not give honey a go? Honey has an antibacterial agent that may help you get rid of acne. It’s not going to make your acne disappear overnight, but with time and patience, you will notice your acne fading.
Honey is an anti-inflammatory, and it helps to reduce some of the redness and swelling caused by acne. The antibacterial properties will fight the acne-causing bacteria on your face and keep your face clean. Honey also helps to control your skin’s oil production. To use honey as an acne treatment, apply raw honey directly to the affected areas and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse it off with warm water and dry your face with a clean towel.
5. Heal wounds
Honey won’t just help you fight acne and reduce the swelling, but it can also heal wounds and fade scars. It has a natural antiseptic agent, which helps to clean wounds and prevent infections. This can cut the healing time and make the whole healing process faster. In the long run, it can reduce scarring and make scars looks less apparent. Since honey is also rich in antioxidants, it can be used as a natural remedy for damaged skin bringing it back to a more normal state.
If you want to use honey to reduce scars, choose a product that’s infused with propolis like buckwheat honey. It will nourish damaged skin and speed up the healing process. To use honey as a wound healer or for fading a scar, apply honey to the affected area. Leave it for 2-5 minutes. Then, rinse it off and repeat the process every day until you get the result you want.
6. Skin brightening
Did you know that honey can also help improve your complexion? Honey can be used to lighten your skin and clear up any dark spots. This can also help if you have an uneven skin tone. The exfoliating properties in honey will remove the dead skin cells and rejuvenate it, revealing new, brighter skin underneath. This way, your skin won’t look dull anymore.
If you want to use honey to brighten your skin, mixing it with tomato juice will maximize the result. The fusion of honey and tomato can help remove tan marks, lighten your skin, and eliminate unwanted blemishes. By the way, if you don’t have any tomato in your fridge, just replace it with lemon.
7. Boost glow
The sugars in honey act as natural humectants and emollients that increase water content and reduce your skin's dryness. With increased water content, your skin will feel more plump and hydrated. Proper hydration is essential to make your skin look radiant and glowing. Who doesn’t want to look fresh-faced and lovely all the time?
Besides making your skin look radiant, it can also help to fade dark circles under your eyes. Modern-day living can cause tiredness and general fatigue. Dark circles under the eyes are an obvious indication of a lack of sleep. Instead of buying expensive eye creams, just use honey! To add a natural glow to your face, use only raw honey or mix it with other ingredients. For extra hydration, try mixing honey milk or yogurt. You’ll be amazed by the incredible result.
8. Anti-aging
Honey is rich in antioxidants and collagen that can help to control fine lines and wrinkles. It’s no secret! Honey has been used as a natural anti-aging agent for thousands of years.
Honey is incredibly nourishing both for the inside and the outside. When you consume it, your body will get a load of probiotics, antioxidants, and nutrients. And when you apply it to your face, it helps to tackle free radical damage. It retains the moisture level of your skin and keeps it hydrated all day.
Honey also gives a calming effect without causing irritation or stress to your skin. The polyphenols and flavonoids will help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
9. Treat sunburn and irritation
Every once in a while, It’s nice to spend a day in the sun, maybe at the beach or at the park. But, nobody likes the aftermath of too much sun exposure. Sometimes sunscreen is not effective at protecting your skin and preventing it from getting sunburnt. That’s why you need an after-sun cream. The most common after-sun product is aloe vera. But if you don’t have it, just use honey as a replacement.
Honey has a soothing and calming effect on your skin. It also helps to repair the damage caused by the sun’s rays. Particularly if you have sensitive skin, this is one of the best natural remedies. Not only can it treat sunburn, but it’s also beneficial for other skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis.
10. Hair treatment
Yes, the benefits of honey extend to the furthest tip of your body. It can do wonders for your skin, and it can also be used to treat your hair. It helps prevent your hair from drying out, and it’s effective at retaining your hair’s moisture level. Besides, honey acts as a natural softener. It makes your hair feel super soft and bouncy.
If you have sensitive skin and often get irritated by chemical-based products, honey is a great alternative. Instead of buying a standard conditioner, replace it with honey as your natural conditioner. It’s a natural humectant, keeping your hair healthy, smooth, and shiny.