10 Unknown Benefits of Honey for Hair and Skin You Must Uncover

2. Soothes and Eases Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a persistent autoimmune disease characterized by red peeling skin, itching, blisters and even painful lesions. There are very few things that can treat it, including prescribed creams and medicinal ointments, but there are a number of ways to ease the symptoms. Honey is known to protect damaged skin from infections, soothing itching and reducing inflammation. With all of its properties, honey will also relieve the dryness and peeling of the skin.

Raw honey on its own will work well but there are some recommended mixtures that will work even better. Honey with cinnamon is a good combination to help people with psoriasis. Cinnamon contains an ingredient called hydroxyl cinnamaldehyde that reduces inflammation. To make, simply mix one part raw honey and ½ part cinnamon powder. Apply the mixture to the affected areas and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Do this on a daily basis.

Another easy mixture to make is honey with beeswax and olive oil. It does take a little longer to prepare but the results are definitely worth it. Melt the beeswax using a double boiler. Once it has cooled down, add equal parts honey and olive oil to the beeswax and then apply to the areas with psoriasis. Leave the mixture on for 20 minutes and then rinse off with water. It’s gentle enough to use on daily basis.

Honey with Vaseline makes your skin soft and keeps it moisturized, which will prevent it from cracking. As with the other remedies, mix equal amounts of raw honey with Vaseline and apply it to the affected areas. Leave on for 20 to 25 minutes, rinse off and pat the skin dry. Adding milk to raw honey also makes an effective liniment that can be used every day.

3. Heals Wounds and Minor Cuts

Because it is a natural anti-bacterial, honey is used to treat minor cuts and wounds. It also helps draw fluid from the affected area which helps speed up the healing process and stops infection. To treat minor cuts, burns, and wounds it is recommended to use high-quality honey like Manuka.

Simply spread a thick layer of honey on the affected area, put a bandage over it for a few hours and leave. Once you have removed the dressing clean the area with a clean, damp cloth. Repeat this if necessary. You can also treat a wound as follows:

First, wash it with sterile water or saline. Apply the honey to a pad of gauze, rather than directly, and place on top of the wound. The amount of honey applied is dependent on the amount of fluid oozing from the wound. Then cover the gauze with a waterproof bandage. Check the wound every four hours and change the dressing daily, three times a day. As the wound starts to heal the dressing won’t need to be changed as often. Continue doing this until healing is complete. Honey is also good for minor burns. Simply apply it to the area.

4. Combats Acne

Acne is caused when trapped dirt mixes with excess oil in the skin’s pores. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, which results in more breakouts. Because honey is a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory it can help reduce the symptoms as well as prevent any infections. It also keeps the skin clean, which can stop acne altogether.

There are a few ways to treat acne using honey. You can apply it to the inflamed areas and the skin around it, leaving it on for 30 minutes and then rinsing off with warm water or you can try one of these recipes.

Mix 3 teaspoons of raw honey with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and apply it to your face. For best results leave the mask on for 10 to 30 minutes and then rinse. The antibacterial properties of both ingredients will soothe and clean the skin. If you have sensitive skin cinnamon might irritate it. It’s best to do a patch test and also make sure you only use the mask once a week.

A gentler mask includes mashed avocado. Take 1 teaspoon of raw honey, a teaspoon of whole milk yogurt preferably organic, and 1 teaspoon of mashed avocado. Mix the ingredients until smooth and then spread over your face. Let it work for 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off with warm water.

This mask is rich in Vitamin E, A, D, and B vitamins, as well as calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, and manganese. The fats in the avocado and yogurt moisturize the skin without making it too oily and the lactic acid in the yogurt refines your pores, stimulates collagen production and smooths your skin. It is gentle enough to use a few times a week.

5. Effective Skin Care

Honey is an excellent source of antioxidants and protects your skin from cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for the aging process and contribute to fine lines, crow’s feet and sagging skin. Honey also helps keep the skin hydrated and gives it a youthful glow. There are various homemade recipes using honey to turn back the clock.

Moisturizing Face Mask

Honey is known as a humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air into your skin. It is retained in the layers and provides the skin with long-lasting hydration. It’s quick and easy to do, and the results are noticeable immediately.

All you need to do is spread a teaspoon of raw honey onto skin that has been cleaned and dried well. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Cleans Pores

Enzymes in raw honey keep pores clean and the antibacterial properties prevent a buildup of bacteria that lead to breakouts. All you need to do is mix a tablespoon of raw honey with two tablespoons of coconut oil or jojoba. Stir the mixture to a consistency that can be applied to your skin. Massage gently using a circular motion, making sure you avoid the eye area. Rinse with warm water.

Exfoliant

Rich In antioxidants and other nutrients that are good for your skin, honey nourishes, cleans and hydrates. When mixed with baking powder it becomes a natural exfoliator that gets rid of dead skin. You’re left with a soft and healthy-looking complexion.

Simply mix two tablespoons of honey with one tablespoon of baking soda. To apply make sure your skin is wet and then gently rub the mixture onto your face in a circular motion. Rinse well. This remedy can be used for your entire body.

6. Prevents Hair Loss

Probably a little-known fact, but a very important one to remember is that honey can prevent hair loss, which can lead to baldness. Because it is an antioxidant and has fungicidal and germicidal properties, it stimulates hair growth, strengthens hair follicles and reduces hair loss. Honey can also assist scalp issues like dandruff and psoriasis.

For a miracle mixture to treat the majority of hair-related issues we suggest mixing one tablespoon of honey and onion juice. Massage the mixture into your scalp and roots and leave it to work for 30 minutes. Shampoo as you normally would. For best results do this week twice a week.

For a nourishing hair mask mix equal amounts of honey and yogurt. Wet your hair and apply it. Leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes and then shampoo as you normally would. Do this two to three times a week. This is excellent for hair loss.

7. Strong Nails and Cuticles

Manicured hands with gorgeous nails is a quick and easy way to feel movie-star glamorous. But there’s more to nail care than a coat of bright pink polish. Looking after your nails and cuticles means you won’t suffer from painful and unpleasant-looking hangnails and fungal infections.

Combining honey with one or two other ingredients provides you with affordable homemade remedies that soften your cuticles, making them easier to remove. You can also treat your nails, preventing unsightly fungal infections with a soak and even encouraging nail growth.

Cuticle Softener

To soften your cuticles as part of your nail-grooming regime use beeswax, apricot kernel oil and one tablespoon of honey. Melt the beeswax in the microwave, stir in the honey and apricot kernel oil and you have your very own cuticle cream. You can pour the surplus into tins or other containers for future use, or give them to friends as gifts.

Soak Your Nails

A soak made with honey and coconut oil will cure any infections you have around your nails. While you could just coconut oil on its own, adding honey will increase the effectiveness of the homemade remedy, drawing in the necessary moisture and repairing the overall health of your nails.

To make it, you will need organic coconut oil which nourishes nails, has antifungal properties and is a moisturizer, raw honey because it draws in the moisture and Rosemary essential oil which repairs nails. Add 2 tablespoons coconut oil and 2 tablespoons honey in a bowl. Add four drops of Rosemary oil and mix all the ingredients well. Soak your nails for 15 minutes, once a week. You will notice a difference in as little as four weeks.

8. An Effective Bath Soak

Using honey with other ingredients as an effective body soak has been used for thousands of years. It is said Cleopatra enjoyed bathing in fragrant milk and honey soaks, which kept her skin looking radiant and flawless.

This is because milk contains lactic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid or AHA. These have been used in beauty products for the last few years and they are sourced from natural ingredients, like milk or they are made in laboratories.

AHAs work by penetrating the top layers and getting rid of dead skin cells. This way your skin is able to rejuvenate itself much more quickly. Honey, as we now know, contains various powerful properties that rejuvenate and regenerate your skin. It doesn’t only hydrate the skin, it protects the skin from environmental damage and repairs it too.

Follow the simple steps to make your very own Cleopatra bath soak.

All you need is 2 tablespoons of honey and 100ml of organic whole milk. To make it, gently warm the honey and milk, ensuring the honey dissolves completely. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Once it has cooled, pour the honey and milk mixture into a hot bath, lie back and relax. To remove the dead skin cells, rub your body gently with a damp washcloth. Rinse off in a shower afterward.

It’s best not to soak in this mixture more than two times a week. Also, while the bath soak can be kept in the fridge for a day or two it’s best to make small batches. You can also make a mixture without using milk. Simply mix two heaped tablespoons of honey with a cup of hot water. Add to your tub with water and soak.

9. Overall Hair Care

There is a wide range of treatments and products for dry and damaged hair but they’re usually expensive and often they only treat the symptoms. Honey is an excellent ingredient for home remedies for shiny, healthy locks. It is also good for dry and damaged hair, it stimulates hair growth, and the antibacterial properties promote a healthy scalp, reducing dandruff and psoriasis.

Hair Growth

A good combination is coconut oil and honey. It’s packed with nutrients and helps moisturize the follicles and hair. This particular remedy will help with hair growth and promote a head full of healthy hair.

To make take 3 tablespoons of warmed coconut oil and ¼ cup of raw honey. Combine the two and mix thoroughly. Work it into your hair and leave it to work for 10 minutes. Simply rinse with warm water.

Dry and Damaged Hair

Dry or damaged hair can leave you looking like you’ve been dragged through bushes backward. It’s difficult to style and has a lot of static. To bring the shine back you can make this quick and easy hair mask using nothing more than honey.

Mix two tablespoons of honey with two cups of warm water. Shampoo hair as usual and then apply the mask. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse. Blow dry or towel dry your hair. You’ll notice a difference immediately.

Itchy Scalp

An itchy scalp can lead to more serious issues, especially if you scratch to the point where you create open sores. Banana soothes the itch and moisturizes the hair too. Simply blend ½ cup raw honey with 2 ripe bananas and ½ cup olive oil. It should be like a puree which you then apply to your head, from the roots to the tips. Put on a shower cap and make sure you leave the mask on for 10 minutes. Wash as you would. It’s important to note the banana can stick to your hair so if necessary add some more oil or wash twice to get the mask out completely.

10. Hair Remover

This might be an odd home remedy to include, especially after tips for hair care and growth but we think it’s a good one to know, given how expensive waxing at a salon can be. Removing excess hair takes time and it can be an absolute disaster for people with sensitive skin.

For effective and safe ways to get rid of hair at home, we have the perfect mixture you can quickly concoct. Otherwise known as Egyptian Sugar Waxing, this method is inexpensive, natural and gentle on the skin. It does take a little while to prepare but it’s worth it.

Tools needed include:

• A butter knife, spatula or popsicle stick
• Strips of scrap fabric cut to size. Non-stretch material is best.

For the mixture itself you will need:

• ¼ cup honey
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 6 drops lavender oil (if you like)

To make:

Mix the honey, lemon juice, and sugar and heat slowly using a double boiler. Stir occasionally. You can also put the mixture in a microwave for 10 seconds at a time, stirring in between and making sure it doesn’t boil or get hotter than 110℉. The mixture must be smooth.

Before you use the honey mixture, make sure it isn’t too hot. It also can’t be too cold. The consistency needs to be that of thick honey, or similar to the wax used at a salon. You can add lavender oil.

Apply it as follows:

Using a butter knife, popsicle stick or spatula, spread a thin layer of the ‘wax’ to the area in the same direction as the hair growth. Place a strip of fabric over the wax, leaving a few inches at the end to grab and pull. Gently rub the fabric, making sure not to push it down.

Hold the skin taut and quickly pull the fabric up and away, in the opposite direction of the hair growth.

The wax might harden. To soften it reheat it on the double boiler or pop back into the microwave for 10 seconds. Always check it’s not too hot before you apply it to your skin.

To clean off bits of wax use a warm cloth. You can wash and reuse the pieces of fabric.

We bet you’re a little surprised at all the beauty treatments you can make with honey and a few other ingredients, all of which are probably in your pantry at the moment. It is gentle and safe on your skin but above all else, it’s effective and affordable.

Mother Nature’s miracle cure-all contains all the necessary ingredients and nutrients to ensure our beauty regime is complete from the hairs on our heads to the tiny hairs on our toes. It’s an antioxidant, which slows down the aging process. With its antibacterial properties, honey treats acne and other skin irritations including infections and because it’s a humectant it moisturizes the skin, where it needs it most, and gives it a healthy glow. It is even used as wax to remove excess hair and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling inflamed and painful like traditional waxing can.

There’s not much honey can’t do, and up until now, its many uses have been a well-kept secret. We suggest you stock up on some raw honey before everyone gets wind of its uses, just in case there’s a shortage soon.

Have you perhaps got a different use for it with regard to your beauty regime that our readers will find useful?