5 Reasons to Work Honey into Your Beauty Routine
By Katie Amey
Turns out the key to glowing skin and shiny hair is almost definitely already in your kitchen cupboard: honey. No, we don’t mean that sweetened, sticky mess that comes in a bee-shaped squeeze bottle; we’re referring to the healing powers that can only be found in the food’s raw form, the kind of honey you get at farmers markets and Whole Foods and whatnot…and in lots of beauty products lately, now that people are catching on. Either way, the stuff is magic. We caught up with Philip Berkovitz, the creative genius behind Philip B. Botanical Products International, to get the scoop on why we should work honey into our daily beauty regimens.
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1. The Antiaging Benefits
"Honey is a brilliant humectant, which means that it pulls moisture to your skin from the air to keep it soft and dewy," Berkovitz explains. "Plus, thanks to the alpha-hydroxy acid properties of its sugar base, it works like an exfoliant, lifting away dead, dry cells to even out your skin tone. It works to clear, smooth, firm, brighten, and soften skin all at once." Rodial’s Bee Venom is a great example: It not only corrects skin tone,but also promotes elasticity and smooths fine lines and wrinkles. Yup, it’s that good.
2. The Inflammation-Reducing Effects
Whether you’re suffering from sunburn or simply experiencing a minor irritation, you should probably consider rooting through your pantry. “This is where honey’s soothing, antibacterial properties come into play,” Berkovitz tells us. “I use it on mild burns to reduce pain and swelling, and clinical studies have shown that it helps minimize scarring, too. It softens, soothes, and hydrates skin, which is ideal for wound healing.” He’s so serious about it that his Thai Tea Mind & Body Wash, which he insists will rejuvenate skin in just a few uses, is made of 20 percent honey.
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3. The Hair-Conditioning Properties
"Honey is naturally moisturizing and contains amino acids, but it has to be diluted with water or aloe in order to work in a shampoo or conditioner," Philip warns. TryNuxe Reve de Miel Gentle Shampoo for a deep, hydrating and paraben-free clean. And when it comes to styling, look for beeswax on the label. “It’s a great fixative in pomades and also has moisturizing benefits,” Philip adds.
4. The Acne-Fighting Qualities
Banish breakouts with this must-have, one-step spot treatment. For best results on acne-prone skin, wash your face first and then cover your blemish with a dab of honey, or, if you prefer product, Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Maximum Strength Spot Treatment. “Leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing,” Philip advises. “This way, the honey will have a chance to sink in and bring down any swelling or redness.”
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5. The Dark Circle–Erasing Powers
This is a serious claim to stake, but don’t worry: We wouldn’t dare tease you about something so life changing. “Because it pulls moisture to the skin, it also has a plumping effect that can help to minimize the appearance of dark circles and soften fine lines,” Philip says. “Apply honey onto damp, freshly washed skin and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. It can go a long way toward making you look younger and more refreshed.” Monday mornings don’t seem quite so daunting anymore, now do they?
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