Many people are turning to homemade remedies for clear skin, using easily accessible kitchen ingredients like honey. While commercial products can provide quick results, honey offers long-term benefits for skin health. Dr. Sravya C Tipirneni, a dermatologist, highlights honey's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help soothe irritated skin and promote healing, as well as its ability to retain moisture.
When used consistently and correctly, honey can enhance your skincare routine without disrupting the skin’s natural balance. However, it’s important to know how to use it properly to avoid potential issues. This guide provides tips on how to effectively use honey for achieving the radiant skin you desire.
What Is honey?
Honey is a common ingredient in foods like jams, granola bars, and teas, and its benefits extend to skincare, hair care, and overall health. This sweet liquid is produced by bees from flower nectar, with its color depending on the nectar source. Beekeepers extract honey from honeycombs, strain it to remove impurities, and sometimes heat it without altering its properties. Finally, honey is stored in airtight containers for use.’
Raw honey is packed with amino acids, minerals, enzymes, vitamins, sugar, and water. This natural sweetener has been touted as a beneficial food item and has been used for centuries by the ancient Chinese, Romans, Egyptians, Assyrians, and Greeks for wound healing and treating gut diseases.
Benefits of Honey for Skin
1. Treats and Prevents Acne: Honey's antimicrobial properties help control acne by preventing harmful bacteria from entering the skin, making it a safe option for those dealing with breakouts.
2. Moisturizes the Skin: Not only does honey combat acne, but its humectant and emollient qualities also keep skin hydrated, supporting a strong skin barrier and a youthful, pH-balanced complexion.
3. Calms Dry Skin Conditions: For those suffering from dry skin issues like eczema or psoriasis, honey's anti-inflammatory properties soothe irritation and promote comfort.
4. Promotes Wound Healing: Honey has long been used in wound care, stimulating tissue repair and helping heal minor cuts and burns. Always consult a doctor for serious injuries.
5. Provides Anti-aging Benefits: Regular use of honey can diminish wrinkles and fine lines, protecting against sun damage with its antioxidant properties. It helps maintain skin hydration and reduces signs of aging.
6. Achieves Glowing Skin: With its array of benefits, honey is a go-to for healthy, radiant skin. Its humectant and antioxidant properties nourish and revitalize, making it a must-try for anyone looking to enhance their skin’s appearance.
How to use honey on the Face?
There are various ways in which you can use honey on your skin and reap all its benefits, as mentioned below:
1. Honey face cleanser: One of the most effective ways to use honey for acne-prone skin is to use it in the form of a facial cleanser. It eliminates dirt, dust, and other impurities from the skin gently without being harsh on the skin. You can either get a store-bought honey cleanser that suits your skin type or simply mix a teaspoon of honey with your regular face wash.
2. Honey moisturizer/ lotion: For those struggling with dry skin problems, it’s imperative they invest in a good body lotion, and what better can be than a lotion that contains honey? Being a humectant, it draws water into the skin, making it soft and supple. You can either use organic, unprocessed honey directly on your skin to massage it and get nourished skin or use moisturizers with honey as a key ingredient to add moisture and replenish dehydrated skin.
3. Honey face oil: Facial oils that are naturally sourced are packed with natural antioxidants and other nutrients that help boost collagen production and promote an even skin tone. Using a facial oil containing honey or adding a few drops of honey to your normal face oil can help smoothen your skin tone and reduce the appearance of spots and wrinkles.
4. Honey face masks: Raw honey masks — when mixed with other skin-friendly ingredients — can help you elevate your skin health. Honey's facial benefits range from combating dryness to strengthening skin’s elasticity. Below are some homemade honey face packs you can try in the comfort of your home without shelling out a lot of money!
Best honey face masks: 5 DIY remedies to try
1. Honey, banana, and rosewater
- Ingredients: 1 tbsp honey, 4 banana pieces, 2 tsp rosewater.
- Directions: Mash banana, mix in honey and rosewater, apply to face and neck for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Benefits: Bananas help protect against acne and provide vitamins A and C, while rosewater soothes inflammation.
2. Honey, cinnamon, and papaya
-Ingredients: 1 tsp cinnamon powder, 1 tbsp honey, 4 papaya pieces.
- Directions: Mash papaya, mix in cinnamon and honey, apply for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
- Benefits: Cinnamon offers antioxidants and reduces inflammation, while papaya heals and treats skin issues.
3. Honey, cucumber, and aloe vera
- Ingredients: 6-8 cucumber slices, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp aloe vera gel.
- Directions: Grate cucumber, mix with honey and aloe vera, apply for 25 minutes, then wash off.
- Benefits: Cucumber soothes and nourishes skin, while aloe vera boosts collagen and elasticity.
4. Honey, Neem, and Gram Flour
- Ingredients: 1 tsp neem powder, 2 tsp gram flour, 2 tbsp honey.
-Directions: Combine ingredients, scrub gently on skin, leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
-Benefits: Exfoliates without stripping oils, and neem helps with acne and skin issues.
5. Honey and tomato face pack
-Ingredients: 2 tbsp tomato juice, 1 tbsp honey.
-Directions: Mix honey with tomato juice, apply with a cotton pad for 20-25 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
-Benefits: Tomatoes improve skin hydration and elasticity, boosting overall skin health.
Are there any side effects of using honey on the face?
Although honey is safe to use on the skin for most people, health experts advise using it with caution if you are allergic to pollen, celery, or bee venom. Always do a patch test before incorporating it into your beauty routine. If you experience any discomfort such as allergy, hives, irritation, etc, wash honey off your skin immediately and consult a dermatologist if the symptoms persist. Plus, it is advised to not leave honey on the skin overnight and to wash it off after 20 to 25 minutes.
Conclusion
Using honey on your face can effectively address various skin issues due to its natural humectant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Packed with essential vitamins, honey helps combat dryness, acne, sunspots, and wrinkles. You can apply it directly or mix it into face masks for added benefits. However, always perform a patch test first to check for allergies, and consult a dermatologist if you're sensitive to honey. For best results, use honey face masks once or twice a week, as moderation is key to avoid irritation. Embrace honey for a quick path to healthier skin!
Source: PINKVILLA
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