Honey boasts several properties for the skin such as moisturising, soothing and antibacterial and is one of the hot DIY ingredients of the moment. Photo: AFP
Nature is a rich source of ingredients capable of bestowing beauty benefits – and many of these ingredients are being newly discovered or rediscovered by consumers in search of cleaner, healthier products.
One example is honey, whose beneficial properties for the skin have been known for thousands of years. On the occasion of World Bee Day, which took place on May 20 to raise awareness of the crucial role these insects play and the importance of protecting them, here are some of the main properties for which honey is valued in the beauty sector.
First thing's first, as a subtly sweet substance produced by bees from the nectar of various flowers, honey is not only appreciated by our taste buds. It also offers benefits to our physical well-being and more specifically to our skin.
While some of its innumerable assets depend essentially on the flower foraged, others are more universal and can bring benefits to all types of skins, whether acne-prone, dry, damaged, or mature.
Honey's superpowers are such that they are now an undisputed hit among younger generations, particularly on social networks, where recipes for folk remedies concocted from the precious elixir feature in the hundreds, with millions of views.
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Moisturising, healing, soothing
Apitherapy – in other words the use of products from the beehive for various conditions, particularly in terms of cosmetics purposes – is becoming increasingly widespread throughout the world, even giving rise to numerous brands of skincare products specialising in formulations featuring honey.
Legend has it that Cleopatra herself was rather fond of it.
Indeed, products from the hive, and, in particular, honey, hold a wealth of benefits. If we had to pick just one to spotlight, it would be its moisturising capabilities, since honey nourishes the skin and brings moisture to deeper levels, thus functioning as an essential product for dry and dehydrated skin.
And that's not all, since it also helps soothe redness, boost healing, and aids in purifying acne-prone skin.
Two must-try DIY recipes
The interest in honey as a well-being product is trending and as a result social networks are seeing posts featuring folk remedy recipes based on the sweet substance coming thick and fast.
We all know about adding honey to a hot drink to soothe a cough or an irritated throat, but there are also recipes entirely devoted to beauty. One example is in the area of hair removal, where it's advised to add honey to a preparation made of sugar, water, and lemon, in order to aid the healing process.
It's also possible to make your own moisturizing mask with a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil, and a spoonful of plain yogurt. This should boost the hydration levels of even the driest skin.
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A hot commodity in cosmetics
Honey has not only become a familiar remedy on social networks, or in DIY concoctions, it is also one of the most popular ingredients in cosmetics, and is even the star ingredient at some labels.
Brands like Burt's Bees and Honey Girl Organics, as well as French brands Apicia and Api Sens, specialise in apitherapy.
Another French brand Secrets De Miel offers face, body and hair care treatments based on ingredients from the hive, and in particular various honeys, so that the whole family can benefit from a maximum of virtues. – AFP Relaxnews
