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Honey is a viscous, sticky liquid that is not only popular for its sweet taste but also widely used for its beneficial healing properties. Honey has multifarious properties, including antibacterial, antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory qualities. (1)
Additionally, honey has a high number of calories due to its fructose content. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B, iron, copper, calcium, and zinc, which have positive effects on your overall health.
Aside from these benefits, honey can also be a highly great addition to your hair and skin care routine. With regular use, it can improve your skin health, giving it a natural radiant glow. Also, honey can be used together with other natural ingredients found in your kitchen to address various skin and hair issues.
Caution: Avoid using honey if you have an allergy to honey or pollen. Always conduct a patch test before using any mask or mixture on your face, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Benefits of Honey on Skin
Honey is a popular dermatological agent as it provides a wide range of benefits to your skin.
1. Deep moisturization
Honey is often used as a base for different skin products due to its moisturizing properties. The enzymatic composition of honey enables it to penetrate deep into the skin, helping condition, nourish, and soften the skin from within.
Moreover, honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps absorb moisture from the environment and locks it in. (2) As a result, regular use of honey, either raw or as a face pack, can make your skin fresh, soft, and hydrated.
How to use:
- Apply raw honey on your dry skin and rinse it off with cold water after 15–20 minutes.
- Mix 1 tbsp of honey, 1 slice of avocado, and 1–2 tbsp of coconut or olive oil. Use this mixture to massage your skin gently in circular motions.
2. Prevention of acne and pimples
The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of honey go a long way in treating and preventing acne and associated infections. Applying honey to acne can reduce the swelling and redness.
Moreover, honey helps clean out the accumulated cell debris and dirt from your skin pores, thus preventing pimple and acne formation in the first place. This effect is also enhanced by the oil-controlling properties of honey. (3)
Additionally, honey may boost skin healing and repair, which aid in the treatment of existing acne and pimples. It is also useful for managing autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
How to use:
- Apply raw honey to acne lesions as a spot treatment.
- For acne breakouts, apply a thin layer of honey all over your face and neck and wash it off after 15 minutes.
- To prevent breakouts, apply honey to acne-prone skin for 30 minutes.
3. Gentle exfoliation and cleansing
Raw honey can crystallize over time, forming tiny granules that can be used to exfoliate the skin. These granules break down with heat and water, thus acting as a gentle scrub and cleanser for the skin.
Moreover, the antibacterial properties of honey make it an excellent cleansing agent suitable for daily use. In fact, honey can also act as a natural makeup remover when mixed with coconut oil.
How to use:
- Rub some honey between your palms or fingers to warm it, and apply it to your skin in circular motions. Leave it on for a few minutes, and then scrub it off by massaging your skin with a wet towel.
- To use honey as a makeup remover, simply add coconut oil and a pinch of turmeric powder to it. Use this mixture to massage your face, and then wipe it off. This paste removes your makeup gently and moisturizes your skin at the same time.
4. Sunburn treatment
The anti-inflammatory properties of honey make it a potent treatment option for healing sunburnt skin. Its hydrating effect can help soothe the affected skin and aid treatment.
How to use:
- Mix honey with aloe vera gel in a 1:2 ratio.
- Apply the mixture to your sunburnt skin.
- Rinse it off with cold water after 15–20 minutes.
5. Antiaging agent
Honey, being an effective moisturizer, hydrates and softens the skin, consequently reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This effect is also supplemented by the nourishing and soothing properties honey provides to the skin. (4)
Moreover, the antioxidant content of honey helps delay skin aging, making the skin look fresh and young. Using honey to massage the skin can boost blood circulation and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to tighten the skin.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tbsp of honey with 1 tbsp of yogurt, papaya, or whole milk.
- Apply this antiaging honey mask to your face and massage gently.
- Wash your face with warm water after half an hour and pat it dry.
6. Treatment for chapped lips
The UV rays of the sun not only are harmful to your facial skin but also affect your lips. And the frequent use of lipsticks can contribute to lip chapping and dehydration.
Honey contains good amounts of antioxidants, enzymes, and nutrients that can nourish and moisturize your lips and aid in the treatment of chapped lips. (5)
How to use:
Exfoliate your lips and apply pure honey onto them before bedtime, allowing the honey to be absorbed by your skin overnight.
7. Brightening of skin complexion
Honey can aid in fading scars, spots, and blemishes and in soothing itchy skin. Its antioxidant properties also help mitigate the skin damage and tanning caused by free radicals, resulting in an even skin tone and soft skin.
Moreover, its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help fight harmful microbes and reduce swelling, preserving the integrity of the skin. These properties also provide a natural glow to the skin and some skin-lightening effects.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tsp of honey with the juice of one tomato.
- Use this mixture to massage your face for 5 minutes.
- Rinse your face with tap water after 15 minutes.
- Repeat this remedy twice a week.
8. Cuticle treatment
The nourishing properties of honey can strengthen your cuticles, which contributes to healthy nails. The humectant nature of honey also aids in healing the cuticles and nail beds.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tsp of honey, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.
- Use this solution to massage your cuticles.
- Rinse after 10 minutes.
9. Healing of burns and wounds
Honey may reduce skin inflammation and consequently boost skin healing. The antioxidant and antiseptic properties of honey may aid in skin repair and healing of burns and wounds.
Honey also contains antibacterial agents that prevent further infections that could delay the skin repair and healing process. (6)
How to use:
- Apply a thin layer of honey over the affected area and cover with a gauze dressing.
- You can also use prepackaged wound dressings that contain honey.
- Alternatively, mix honey with neem oil or tea tree oil, and apply the mixture over the affected area.
Benefits of Honey on Hair
Honey is a highly effective agent that can improve hair health in more ways than one.
1. Hair conditioning
Your hair requires regular conditioning to prevent dryness and many other hair problems. Honey, being a natural humectant, is an effective conditioner as it makes the hair smooth and soft.
Using honey to condition your hair can also improve its health, making it appear shiny and bouncy.
How to use:
- Dilute raw honey with water, and apply the mixture to damp, shampooed hair. Leave it on for a few minutes, and rinse it off with warm water.
- Prepare a honey-banana mask by mixing ½ cup of honey, two mashed ripe bananas, and ¼ cup of olive oil. Blend the mixture to form a paste, and apply it to your hair as a mask. Wash your hair with lukewarm water after 20–25 minutes.
- Mix 1 tsp of honey with 2 tsp olive oil, and apply the mixture to the ends of your hair before bedtime. Wash your hair in the morning.
2. Improved hair growth
Your hair is exposed to multiple factors that can damage it, often resulting in hair fall problems. However, this hair problem can be avoided and managed with proper hair care.
Using honey for its repairing and nourishing properties can also be one solution to split ends. As a humectant, honey (7) helps bind moisture to the hair shaft, decreasing frizziness and split ends.
Massaging your hair with honey masks can also boost blood circulation, which strengthens the hair follicles and thus promotes hair growth.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tsp of honey into your regular conditioner, and use it to prevent split ends and frizziness and to boost hair growth.
- Massage your hair with a mix of honey and warm olive oil. Shampoo after 15 minutes. Repeat this remedy 2–3 times a week to boost hair growth and prevent dryness.
- Mix 1 cup of honey with 2 eggs, and apply the mixture through the length of your hair. Wash your hair after 20 minutes using regular water, and shampoo your hair as usual.
3. Scalp cleansing
Honey is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent that helps ward off scalp problems such as infections, psoriasis, dandruff, and itchiness. (8)(9) Honey may be used to cleanse your scalp of dirt and dead cells and therefore prevent scalp buildup.
How to use:
- Mix honey and water in a 9:1 ratio.
- Use this mixture to massage your scalp.
- Wash your hair after 3–4 hours.
- Repeat this remedy weekly for best results.
Precautions
While honey is generally safe to use and provides various benefits to your skin and hair, it is important to take the following precautions when using it on your skin and hair:
- Avoid the use of honey if you are allergic to pollen or bees. Always conduct a patch test before using honey, especially if you are not sure of any such allergies or you have sensitive skin.
- You can also consult your doctor for an allergy test to see how your skin reacts to honey.
- Wash or wipe off the honey properly after using the treatment since leftover honey can clog the pores and may result in acne breakouts.
- Prefer raw, organic honey as it is laden with antioxidants and antibacterial properties.
Final Word
Honey is widely used as a natural moisturizing agent. In addition to its humectant and nourishing nature, honey contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties that are beneficial to your skin and hair.
Using honey can help improve the health of your skin, making it soft, smooth, and young looking. Similarly, your hair can benefit from honey in terms of hair growth and strength. There are various ways in which you can add this golden syrup to your skin and hair care regimen to take advantage of its benefits.
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