Honey in Skincare

Pouring of maturated honey in pots.Image via Wikipedia

I was never a big “honey for skin care” fan, until I came across an interview of the model Padmalakshi who said her  skin care secret was honey - to pull impurities out of pores. (for more read here)

In fact she carries a bottle of honey with her everywhere to take care of all her skin care needs. Besides looking really hot, Padmalakshi has really great skin, so much so, that it is said that she never needs any concealor because her skin is so perfect and flawless.
Throughout the centuries, legendary beauties have used honey as part of their skin and hair care treatments. Cleopatra was famous for her milk and honey baths, and Poppea, wife of Roman Emperor Nero, used a honey and milk lotion on her face to keep her looking youthful.
I didn’t need any further encouragement. I have been using honey myself for the last few months and it has not only made my skin very soft, it has also made it smoother and helped remove the tan I got on my arms from my trip to Goa.
What makes honey so good?
First of all it is full of simple sugars and essential minerals that nourish the skin cells
Secondly it is a humectants – means it attracts and helps retain water in the skin
Third – it has alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that help remove dead cells and hydrate the skin
Fourth - honey has significant natural antioxidant properties (contains antioxidants such as chrysin, pinobanksin, vitamin C, catalase, and pinocembrin.) Antioxidants play a role in protecting the skin from the damage of UV rays and in aiding in skin rejuvenation.
Fifth – honey is a very effective anti-microbial as it is low in water, acidic in nature (pH 3.2 to 4.5, healthy skin has pH of 5.5)  has small quantities of hydrogen peroxide that kills organisms amogst other anti-bacterial components.
Honey is very easy to use, by itself or added to home make face packs to boost their nourishing capabilities.
Below are some DIY tips with Honey
1.      Apply honey plain. It will soften skin and moisturize it. Apply evenly and wash off after 20 minutes

2.      Mix a spoonful with few drops of lemon juice (or any other citrus juice): very good for skin prone to zits. The lemon boosts the antibacterial capabilities, and is a good source of Vitamin C as well as citric acid (AHAs)

3.      For the body: Add 4-5 spoonfuls to about 3-4 mugs of water and use as final rinse for dry skin

4.      Mix equal amounts with milk to make a face pack. Use skimmed milk for oily & combination skin, and whole fat for dry skin

5.      Oily skin people can mix a spoonful of honey with rosewater to make an oil-free moisturizer. Rinse off after 20 minutes

6.      Chapped lips: Mix with milk cream and apply for till absorbed. 

7.      Chinese women use a paste made from crushed orange seeds and honey for pimples and also to clear their complexions.

8.      Out of glycerine, use honey in its place. You can even add a few drops of honey to your regular rose water. 
 
Products that contain Honey
A lot of ayurvedic skin care ranges are made using honey. 
Biotique's Morning Nectar lotion contains Honey as does their Tinted Moisturiser Range. 
They even have a Honey Water Toner for dry and sensitive skin,

Do you have any special homemade DIY tip with honey?
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Comments

  1. I use honey mixed with yoghurt as a pick me up face pack :D it calms my skin down, wihout making it feel dry or oilier!

    Def gonna try your ideas :D

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  2. I apply plain honey on my face at times.

    A spoon of honey in abt 1/4 cup of luke warm water on empty stomach helps reduce weight. It is a tried and guaranteed tip :-)

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  3. Wont it be sticky..adding honey for a last rinse? I have seriously dry skin and would love to try this out.

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  4. @Ki: I too have tried this curd honey pack - for some reason my skin began to feel very itchy.. LOL. Must have gotten too acidic for me. But Yea, I love curd packs by them self as well. They make my skin glow :)

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  5. @Poornima: Even I use it plain when i am too lazy - but the problem is I end up eating more than half of it. So Now i mix lemon juice so atleast something goes on the face :)

    @Rads: Honey gets really diluted in so much water and is not sticky at all on my skin. Try it out. If you don't like it you can always rinse it out :)... besides i do these things generally in the evening.

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  6. You know honey just dont suits me....It is such a miracle remedy but few days back i had to go to a friend place.For instant glow I applied honey and my face turned totally red and my skin looked like carpet.

    I applied ice and got back my natural skin but since then I am afraid of it..

    I guess it is better to dilute it and then apply it.

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  7. Hello for some reason all my comments on your blog never appear! hope this one does.

    I have heard of some hair packs containing honey. But my mom insists that honey can cause hair to grey!

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  8. Great post!! will try this out

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  9. Haan maybe it doesn't suit some people, milk may be a better option then! :)

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  10. During my weight-loss diet program, dietician adviced me to drink luke warm water mixed with lemon and honey (empty stomach).I followed this consistently for 6 months - It helped me :)

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  11. My home made face pack - which I apply once in a week

    oats with yoghurt, honey, egg white - It gives instant glow.Mine is a combination skin.It removes the excess oilyness and gives me a fresh look.

    Trust me this works great....Almost following this for years.

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  12. I think I'll try a sugar n honey lip scrub this weekend. Thanks for the tips!

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  13. Dont even dare to compete...i am the laziest person u cud ever meet..

    i too expermented...honey n lemon juice...just honey...

    tanvi, i certified u n ur blog :) beauty chemist...

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  14. I apply honey with lemon. Love how my skin feels after I wash my face. :)

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  15. awesome. thanks for sharing it with us :)

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  16. Hey Its a great tip !! too apply plain honey on the face..will def. try it out
    Thanks

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  17. @Anamika: Happens. I am allergic to castor oil. It dries out my skin terribly. I would suggest you stay away from honey if get such a strong reaction.

    @Wanderlust: I am sorry you had trouble in the past - blogger has been acting weird. I have not come across any use of honey for the hair. Maybe because of what your mom says. :)

    @Chibu: Thks :)

    @Vidhya: So cool! I will try out this hot water honey mixture :).. Btw in the pack u suggest, do the oats have to soaked in water first or will dry oats do?

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  18. @Ashiwni: Let me know how it goes? :)

    @Divs: Thks for the certification :D :D.. Although you exaggerate (i feel) :)

    @Rati: even i like the honey lemon mixture :)

    @Becky: Thks..

    @Gurpreet: Thks :).. I hope it suits you :)

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  19. @ Tanveer - Its dry oats. You can also grind and use the powder.Later one will easily stick to your face.Do let me know if you found it useful :)

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  20. I wld love to try this out- Infact hav been wanting to ever since u told me about this!!But jst feel it must be so gooey!!Am going to try this out this weekend!!

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  21. @Vidhya: Thks :D.. I will be trying it out this weekend :)

    @Simran: If you mix equal parts with lemon juice it no longer feels sticky - it feels like a watery lotion. I think u shd try it with a bit of lemon juice as lemon is supposed to be good for oily skins :D

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  22. So after letting honey set on the face for a while ... do u wash ur face with face wash/soap or a simple rinse is enough ? if a rinse is enough ... won t the ants get you ?!

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  23. @lakshmi: LOL, looks like u have been watching too many Hollywood horror movies... :D

    I just rinse off the honey with water.. and follow it up with a moisturizing lotion. I have never had a problem, but in case you stay in an area infested with ants, I think you shd take a rain check :)

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  24. Thank you Tanveer ! I tried it with something greasy on my face and still the honey made me feel so clean ... Should try this often ... Thanks a lot :)

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