Before I begin my honey skincare sermon, I want to say that honey has always been and till date is still the role model in the beauty industry. Honey has been in the industry for a long time now and is so beneficial to different beauty, health, and skincare issues and products like shampoos, face masks, lip balms, lotions, and so on. Today we are going to look at the benefits of honey to the skin and health in general, especially manuka honey
The benefits of honey are just as endless as you can ever imagine. Ranging from its ability to heal naturally, especially for healing wounds. It also promotes collagen building, which makes it a very powerful anti-aging agent in the beauty industry.
As if that was not enough, honey also has the following natural properties: –
· Anti-bacterial.
· Anti-septic.
· Anti-inflammatory properties.
If you have to go with honey, then I specifically recommend you go for Manuka honey. Manuka honey is gotten from a plant in New Zealand called the (Manuka plant). I highly recommend it because of its great antioxidant value. Raw honey is also a perfect replacement that can as well do the same job as Manuka honey.
OK, now let’s take a look at the magic honey can do!!!
Benefits of Manuka Honey Skincare
In this section, you will see why they say Manuka honey is the homecoming queen of the beauty industry. And as the homecoming queen, we can’t count it but it’s really good at a lot of things.
Such as: –
-
- Soothing allergies
- Fighting bacteria
- Help you sleep better
- Fight acne
Believe it or not even celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian claims it’s helped her deal with stubborn zits. Listen to what dermatologists have to say about this special honey from New Zealand bees clearing up your complexion.
-
Bath Soak
Manuka honey has hydrating powers that will make your skin silky soft if only you can just up your relaxation goals and take a honey-infused soak.
How to Use It:
You just mix two big tablespoons of raw honey into a cup of hot water until the honey dissolves. And then pour it into a tub of warm water to soak, and you are good to go.
-
Rich Moisture Face Mask
Due to its soothing and moisturizing effects, honey (raw), has the power to hydrate your skin and leave it radiant, soft, as well as glowy. The sugar content in honey acts as an Emollients and a natural Humectant. It helps to increase water and reduces skin dryness even after you washed it off.
How to Apply:
For optimal result, it is ideal you apply honey, I mean raw honey, on your skin directly, and allow it for around 20 minutes, or thereabout, to do its magic. And then rinse it off with water very thoroughly.
Honey can also moisturize your skin!
-
Fades Scar
Just like I said at the beginning of this article, honey remains very good at healing wounds. The antioxidant property contained in honey (and I mean Manuka honey), is appropriate enough for nourishing damaged and affected skin. And will quickly help the process of scar healing. To add to that, Manuka honey contains a natural antiseptic. This helps to combat and prevent infections, and also protect wounds. Which will help to reduce the scarring effect, and equally speed up the healing time.
How to Apply:
In this case, it is recommended to massage the honey on the affected part of your skin using circular motion. Do this for about two (2) minutes, next, you rinse with water.
-
Gentle Exfoliator
One of my favorite benefits of honey is its gentle exfoliating ability. Because the enzymes in honey work as a gentle exfoliator, which will help your complexion to be healthy and more radiant.
How to Apply:
You can also apply it directly to your skin using circular motion. And allow it for a few minutes before massaging it off.
-
Treatment for Acne Spot
The above-mentioned Manuka honey is known to be an idle treatment for acne spots on the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce pimples and redness. Again, it has very powerful antibacterial properties, which help to fight against bacteria that cause acne. In addition to that, the fact that honey hydrates and balances the skin very well, also keeps the skin’s oil production under control.
How to Apply:
Just apply it on the breakouts directly and let it sit for like 10 – 15min, then rinse off with water.
-
Cuticle Moisturizer
I also discovered that honey, being a Natural Humectant, deeply moisturizes the skin very well and also helps to keep your cuticles peel-free and happy as well.
How to Use It:
You just need to rub it over each of your cuticles and then leave it for about five (5) to ten (10) minutes, then rinse it with water.
-
Cleanses Skin
Honey is also a very good cleansing agent because it helps to completely remove dirt and grime from the skin.
And the most beautiful part of it is that it does it without stripping the natural oil off your skin.
How to Use It:
-
- You can just take about half a teaspoon of honey on your fingers, and then warm it by rubbing it between your fingers.
- For a more desired result, you can add a few drops of water and then spread gently over your face, and then use warm water to rinse off, after just a few whiles. You should pat your face dry, then use a toner to get the best results.
- One very important fact about honey is that the word (Honey) is a Hebrew word, which stands for ‘ENCHANT ‘, and you all know what enchant is. There you imagine how manuka honey skincare benefits are just so endless.
-
Wart Eliminator
Wonderfully enough, honey works greatly well for this purpose. All you need to do is just apply a thick layer of honey to the wart and let it sit for 24 hours. And then rinse off with water.
-
Skin Whitening
Another fact about honey is that it can also help to whiten your skin in numerous ways. Its antibacterial properties can soothe inflammation and help defend the skin from germs. Honey will work better when used along with yogurt.
How to Compose It:
-
- You mix 1 tablespoon of fresh yogurt with 1 ½ tablespoon of honey.
- Cover (I mean rub) your skin with the mixture and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- And later use warm water to wash it off.
This exercise should be repeated daily for maximum results.
-
Chapped Lips Softener
When you use it, just rub or apply honey on your lips, it will help soften your lips. You just need to take a few moments to dab some natural honey on the lips before you go to bed and allow it on throughout the whole night. Your lips will absorb and take it in, and the result will be a smooth and very supple lip. But you will need to do this exercise daily as well for the best result. It will also help with cracked or chapped lips. But in the case of chapped lips, you will first need to get in touch with your doctor for the right step. Because applying honey on the lips and leaving it on for the whole night, is usually risky for botulism.
So, Make No Mistake About That at All!!!
Learn More!
- How to Fix Smile Lines
- How to Fix Smokers Lines
-
Dry Skin Treatment
The Honey plus yogurt combination will help you if you have flaky and dry skin. It is a combination that has antibacterial properties in it, and it deeply cleanses the skin. In addition, honey is a rich antioxidant, as well as a natural humectant. It will help to improve the moisture level of your skin.
How to Compose It: –
Mix the following
-
- Unsweetened – 1 Tablespoon
- Unflavored Yogurt – 1 Tablespoon
- Honey – 1 Tablespoo
- Mix Well
Rub the mixture well enough on your face and let it stay for like 15 minutes. And then use warm water to rinse it off.
-
Treats Wrinkles
Because honey is a natural humectant, it will moisturize the top layers of your skin. This extra moisture quality will help improve wrinkles.
It can also soothe: –
-
- Dry Skin
- Irritated Skin
- Sensitive Areas
Then again, honey’s antioxidant properties are a very powerful agent that will help delay skin aging. What an anti-aging agent.
How to Use It:
-
- 1 Teaspoon of Honey
- An Equal Amount of Papaya
- Whole Milk or Yogurt
Rub this mixture on your face by massaging it to improve blood circulation and also tighten the skin. And let it sit for 30 minutes, then use warm water to rinse off the mask, and then pat your skin dry with a washcloth.
Honey also does the following: –
-
- Makes the Skin Smooth and Hydrated
- Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Honey masks are not a permanent cure for wrinkles. As well as not every kind of honey mask would work the same way for all. So you should contact your doctor and stick to what suits your skin best.
-
Scalp Cleanser
Composition:
-
- Raw Honey – 1 Tablespoon
- Filtered Water – 3 Tablespoons
First, you need to lightly sprinkle water on your hair just to make it wet, and then drop a few quantities of the mixture into the scalp and massage it very well. And then rinse off very well. Next, you can follow up with a conditioner. Honey has so much great benefits that I just can’t tell them all. But then there are yet some awesome things about honey I want you to know.
The following are also possible effects of honey:
-
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Blurred Vision
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever and Even Honey Intoxication in Certain Individuals
- And Can Also Increase the Risk of Bleeding
That is why it is highly recommended that you work with your doctor always. Below are different ways by which you can integrate honey more into your diet. Because, your diet also, is one of, (if not the most) important factor about skincare.
The Downsides of Honey
You should bear in mind that even if you’re not ingesting it, honey comes alongside some downsides for some people. Especially if you happen to be allergic to bees or pollen. You know that allergic reactions are possible, but if your pollen allergies are minor, then you can play it safe and do a spot test first before a total integration.
Just dab a small amount on your chin or neck, then let it sit for several minutes and then rinse off and see if there’s any reaction. If you don’t get any itchy feelings, redness, or swellings, then know that you are on the safe side to use it on larger parts of your skin. Also, for those of you who are sensitive to celery, pollen, or have other bee-related allergies, you must stay away from honey.
In that case, the various allergic reactions to honey can be possible: –
- Inflammation of the Lips or Tongue
- Shortness of Breath
- Voice Changes
About Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
There has not been enough evidence on the usage of honey during pregnancy or breastfeeding. But somehow, it has been detected that honey might contain contaminants not too good enough, as well as can cause harm. Therefore, it is best to avoid the use of honey if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother until you are off that course.
Incorporating Honey into Your Diet
It is quite simple and easy to make honey a member of your day-to-day diet. You just don’t need to overemphasize the whole process.
- You can use it on your salad simply as a dressing
- You may use honey in replacement of sugar, you may as well add It to whatever requires sugar
- Honey and milk, you can also have before you go to bed. You should make it your Habit
You May Also Love These
Some Other Honey Recipes
-
Honey Syrup
Ingredients: –
-
- Honey – 1 ½ Cups
- And Water – ½ Cup
- Also, Grated Lemon Zest – ½ Teaspoon
- And Fresh Lemon Juice – ¼ Cup
Composition: –
-
- Pour all the Above Listed Ingredients into a pan
- Place Above Medium Heat, Cook and Let It Boil, and Stir from Time to Time.
- Let It Boil Such That the Mixture Goes Down to a Fourth. (I Mean Let the Heat Drop to a Fourth)
- Allow the heat To Go Down Until it is just warm,
- Then Pour the Syrup (Warm) Upon Your Cake, just a couple of Minutes Before Serving the cake.
-
The Honey Mango Sorbet
Ingredients: –
-
- Get mango chunks (frozen) – 1 cup
- And honey – ½ teaspoon,
- And water – ¼ cu
- And basil leaves – 4
Composition: –
-
- Pour all the above-listed ingredients in a blender or a bowl, and blend or mix until you have achieved the desired or required consistency.
- You may garnish your consistency with some basil leaves if that is what you desire.
There are some more simple recipes such as combining the following –
-
- Ginger
- Honey
- Lemon
All you need to do is combine the three ingredients in a bowl or a saucepan of water, and consume the liquid. This can work wonders for your health in general if consume daily, that is every morning or every evening perhaps.
To qualify the sweetness of the benefits of honey, it will be equated to the taste of honey itself. But you must always consider the downsides of engaging in any honey therapy.
Remember at the beginning of this piece of content, I mentioned it clearly that Manuka Honey is the best in performing all the above-mentioned magic, but if you can’t afford Manuka honey, you can then go for raw honey.
Raw honey also does a good enough job!!!
I have come to the end of this article and I hope this helps. So, before I leave you guys, if you ever need a hand or have any contribution to make or a question to ask, please do feel free to leave them below, I will be more than glad to help you out.