How to Use Honey for Flawless Skin and Hair
By Chelsea Vincent
In today’s era of social media, it seems like everyone is obsessed with having flawless skin, hair, nails – the works. But rather than opting for expensive (and possibly scary) cosmetic procedures like surgery, have you tried using honey to get gorgeous?
Although we normally associate honey with tea, delicious treats, or spring bees, honey is also a wonder ingredient, when it comes to looking your best. Here are some simple ways to infuse your self care regimen with honey, to get your glow on this spring.
Relieve Dry or Uneven Skin
The powerful antioxidants in honey make it an exceptional-yet-natural choice for moisturizing and soothing flaky, dull, or uneven skin. And if you’re tired of shelling out for lotions with ingredients you can’t pronounce, rest assured that honey is body- and planet-friendly.
To bring moisture back to your face after a day at the beach (or to even out some of that redness), simply cleanse your face with a gentle cleaner, pat dry, and spread 1-2 teaspoons of honey on your face and neck. After 15-20 minutes, rinse your face, then apply a gentle face lotion. For some added vitamin C, you can also try combining 2 Tablespoons of honey with a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Ahh.
Banish and Heal Pimples
Say what? Most people are surprised to find that honey has healing properties which have made it a key ingredient in various forms of medicine for thousands of years. Thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, honey is a great way to help heal pesky pimples.
Rather than applying harsh, abrasive ingredients to angry pimples, try dabbing a bit of honey on a pimple (after cleaning the skin) and gently rinsing the honey away after 15 minutes. You can follow that with a bit of tea tree oil, and you’ll notice your skin calm down nicely.
Exfoliate and Polish in the Shower
Your face isn’t the only part of you that can benefit from a little honey-lovin’ R&R. Using honey as a shower scrub can help remove dead skin, especially from naturally dry areas, like elbows, knees, and feet.
To create your own honey scrub (which could also be a fun DIY experience with some friends), combine two parts honey with one part oats, plus one part baking soda. Then, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and you’re ready to rock your loofah. (We love lavender and orange essential oils, but play around to discover the perfect scent for you!)
Condition Lifeless Locks
While you’re in the shower, you can also use honey to nourish your hair, either as a shampoo, or as a silky-smooth conditioning treatment. Because honey is an emollient, it will seal moisture into the hair shaft, creating gorgeous, touchable hair. Plus, you’ll steer clear of sulfates and other harsh ingredients (which can actually make hair more frizzy), and your tresses will smell like heaven.
For some deep conditioning, mix 2 Tablespoons each of honey and coconut or olive oil together, plus a teaspoon of almond or argan oil. Apply to clean, damp hair, then cover with a plastic shower cap for half an hour. Rinse and enjoy!
If you’re wanting to get back in touch with natural products and feel stunning at the same time, honey’s many uses make it a must-have for all your home beauty recipes. The next time you’re in need of a little pampering, try grabbing a bottle of honey to get your moxie back.
