Top 10 skincare benefits of HONEY

From moisturiser to antiseptic, honey has a wide range of uses for your skin.

Honey is considered to be one of the greatest gifts that nature has bestowed on man. It is not only healthy when consumed, but also very beneficial to your skin. Its beauty and medicinal benefits have been known to humankind for centuries. There are stories that Cleopatra used to bathe herself in milk and honey and Poppea, the wife of Nero, used honey and milk as a facial lotion. Today, honey is used as an important skincare ingredient by cosmetic companies in order to help with different skin conditions.

Honey is basically nectar obtained from the flowers. It is 80 percent sugar; the rest is minerals and trace elements such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and amino acids. It also contains vitamins C, B and water. Bees have inhabited our planet for around 150 million years making honey for us. As a result the Greeks, Persians, Egyptians and even the Romans knew about the skincare benefits of honey. Here are a few to get you started:

1. An effective moisturiser

Honey has humectant qualities; as a result, it can be used as a moisturiser in many cosmetic preparations. It not only attracts water but also retains it in the skin, so the skin remains supple and elastic. It also protects against wrinkles and dryness.

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Honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which give it healing power. These properties help prevent the growth of certain bacteria by producing an enzyme -- hydrogen peroxide. Thus, honey can be utilised as a natural treatment for wounds, cuts and abrasions to promote healing.

The most important benefit of a special type of honey, called manuka honey, is that it can cure eczema. It can treat damaged skin and regenerate new skin cells and hence it is a vital ingredient in almost all products that are manufactured to cure eczema and other forms of dermatitis.

A common skin infection -- ringworm -- can also be treated using manuka honey. It possesses anti-fungal properties that can cure the infection. Other fungal infections like athlete's foot and jock itch can be healed by applying manuka honey too.

Honey has always been famous for its natural antioxidant properties, which play an important role in protecting the skin from ultraviolet damage. Overexposure to the sun causes skin damage, premature aging and even skin cancer. Honey can be used as a sunscreen to protect the skin from the sun.

As honey can fight infections below the skin's top layer by unclogging pores and drawing out impurities, it can help you deal with acne problems. The active properties of honey penetrate the blocked follicle, killing the bacteria which cause acne and any infection.

Mix one teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon vegetable oil and one-fourth teaspoon lemon juice. This mixture is a very natural conditioner, to be rubbed onto every part of your body which is suffering from dry skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

Make a concoction of one tablespoon honey and a peeled, de-seeded apple. Apply this paste onto your face for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water. This tones the skin, keeping it firm.

The application of honey on chapped and wrinkled lips will make them wonderfully smoother and softer.

Honey can be used to make a gentle exfoliator. Mix one tablespoon each of finely grounded almonds and honey, two tablespoon of dry oatmeal and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Massage this mixture gently onto your face for five minutes and then rinse off with water.

Honey in its purest form is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. It is truly the perfect ingredient for skincare, to help you to nurture, cleanse and protect your skin.