Are you concerned about your dry skin? Worried about skin damage? Or have you spent too much time searching for a way to keep your skin healthy, soft and smooth? Surprisingly, you may find your solution in a common food. You probably have a jar of it somewhere in your home, or you could always borrow one from Winnie the Pooh. Learn all about the wonders of honey and how this sweet treat can help your skin!
Honey's hydrating properties
Honey is rich and thick, making it an effective moisturizer. Like other humectants, honey binds moisture to the skin and helps it stay hydrated. So it not only smoothes dry, rough, wrinkled skin, but honey also makes skin supple and plumps up wrinkles.
Honey is a valuable moisturizer for your face as well as your body. For a natural, at-home treatment, you have the option of cooking up your own moisturizing masks. Prepare your face mask with just two ingredients, honey and milk, dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD, tells Yahoo Food. Combine two tablespoons of honey with two teaspoons of whole milk. Then heat the mixture in the microwave, and apply it to your face. After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water. For your body, mix honey with vegetable oil and lemon juice. After keeping the mixture on your body for 10 minutes, rinse with water. This treatment is great for moisturizing dry rough hands, feet, elbows and other parts of your body that tend to be exceptionally dry.
Antioxidants galore
Honey is additionally beneficial because of the antioxidants it contains, which are present in all honey varieties. Especially rich in antioxidants are the honeydew and buckwheat types of honey - crucial in helping skin stay young and healthy. Antioxidants defend our skin against damaging UV rays and free radicals that harm skin's cells, causing signs of aging like dryness, wrinkles and age spots.
There is debate over whether applying honey topically yields the same benefits as eating it. Have your honey and eat it too by adding honey to yogurt, spreading it on toast, or incorporating it with your other food favorites.
Antibacterial powers
In addition, honey can be used for its antibacterial ability to help with cuts, scrapes and wounds. Historically, in fact, Native Americans have used honey for skin abrasions, cuts and bee stings.
So, why is honey antibacterial? Simply, honey has great amounts of sugars. Its levels of acidity and minimal protein act to prevent bacteria from growing. Also because honey is so rich and thick, it creates a protective barrier that prevents bacteria from entering skin and causing infection. Indeed study findings from Nigeria's University Teaching Hospital showed that honey helped to sterilize and heal wounds in 58 out of 59 cases. The moisture found in honey helps to encourage the healing process in skin as well, adds Dr. Wechsler.
In addition, honey helps to kill bacteria, which is a contributing factor in causing acne, making it a helpful treatment for troublesome skin. Plus it won't cause irritation or excessively dry out your skin, in contrast to some acne products. Try a salt and water mixture to soften skin first, and then apply honey to the blemish using a cotton swab, leaving it on your skin for 10 minutes. Afterwards, simply rinse off.
Excellent for exfoliating
Alpha hydroxy acids are helpful exfoliants that slough off dead, dry, rough skin and reveal healthy, new, smooth skin. The downside to exfoliating is that it can result in skin irritation or dryness. But because honey is moisturizing and soothing, it may help to counteract these effects. Currently research is exploring using honey for alpha hydroxy acids.
Whether you create your own sweet concoctions or choose products that contain honey, you can enjoy honey's healing and healthy benefits for your skin!
See also:
The Busy Girl's Guide to Fabulous Skin
Almonds and Almond Oil
Lemon
Elizabeth Arden Review
Top 25 Skincare and Beauty Articles of 2008