the miracles of honey

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work. 

Honey. What a sweet sweet elixir. Its uses date all the way back to ancient times, and we’ve only begun to tap into it’s magical powers. From the skin to the immune system, it can work wondrous effects on the human body. For today, I want to address its benefits for a glowing complexion. Behold, your quick guide to honey skincare…

Wash

Raw honey makes an amazing face wash. It has anti-bacterial properties and is chock full of probiotics and enzymes that are beneficial for the skin. It acts gently, wiping away bacteria and oil while leaving the skin hydrated. Its way of stripping away the bad and leaving the good makes it especially great for acne prone skin. 

Keep a small jar of raw honey along with a spoon in the bathroom for easy access. When you go to use, lightly wet the face with warm water and then massage on about a little less than a teaspoon. If you want it’s antibacterial properties to really work in on those pores, leave it for 5-10 minutes before rinsing away. 

Prevent

To give your skin a little pick-me-up, mix up a face mask with honey, yogurt, and flax meal. Smear it across your face, and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing off. They honey will work into those pores, treating blackheads, excess oil, and acne, while the yogurt and flax help to slough off the top layer of dead skin. Afterward you’ll notice skin that is plump with moisture and a dewy glow. What’s better than that?

Treat

Raw honey is well respected for its healing properties. It is both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory all in one go. Even modern day medicine touts it’s effectiveness. For cuts and burns, one of the best things you can do is to apply raw honey. Even better, pick up raw Manuka honey which is harvested from bee’s pollinating Manuka flowers, otherwise known as tea tree. Slather it on your wound and dress it appropriately to heal skin fast. If you really must pop those pimples, mix up some raw honey and tea tree oil to apply directly following. I find that this works wonders at healing the puncture, but also at preventing it from growing back into another embarrassing white head.

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There you have it! Raw honey, great skin’s best kept secret.