The amber liquid has been known for centuries to do wonders for one’s health and beauty since it has a number of properties and can be used in a variety of ways. It is an antimicrobial and a mild laxative; it can be used as a moisturizer or an antibacterial agent for cuts and infections, it helps your body retain calcium and it even helps with loosing weight.
It is said that consuming up to four tablespoons of honey a day can greatly improve your health. Moreover, a bit of honey before bed can help with longer and better quality sleep. Studies show that children who consumed honey before bed slept better and coughed less at night. Additionally, honey is packed with free-radicals-fighting antioxidants (combine with green or black tea for an antioxidant bomb) and has been a know beauty agent for a lot of women over the centuries.
Here are a few tips for using honey in your beauty regimen:
- Facial Moisturizer—apply honey to your face and leave on for a few minutes than rinse the excess with warm water. It works well with all skin types because it doesn’t clog pores and has antimicrobial properties, which prevents bacteria from growing thus helping with acne and breakouts. Its antibacterial properties also help with skin irritations.
- Facial Scrub—add rolled oats or sea salt to your honey, mix and massage into your skin. This type of scrub will exfoliate your skin without drying it out or over-exfoliating.
- Bath—add a tablespoon or two of honey to your bath for a moisturizing and skin softening effect.
- Hair Conditioner—squeeze a small amount of honey into your palm and apply to your hair (especially dry ends) after shampooing. Leave for a few minutes (depending on how damaged or dry your hair is) and thoroughly rinse off. It will keep frizz and fly-aways a bay.
- Hair Shine Serum—mix a tablespoon of honey with a cup of very warm water, put the mixture into a spray bottle, spray on damp hair and comb through to add shine to your tresses.
- Lip Balm—add a few drops of honey to a small amount of petroleum jelly and mix well and you’ve got a natural and moisturizing lip balm. You can also add essential oils of your choice for an additional effect.
- Shaving Balm—mix one part honey and two parts cream and apply to your legs instead of soap or your shaving cream. Not only does it hydrate and moisturize while shaving but also reduces razor burn and irritation.
- Manicure/Pedicure—rub some honey into the rough areas on your feet (hills, balls of your feet) as well as cuticles (both of your toes and fingers) before soaking them for your manicure/pedicure. It softens rough skin for an easier removal.
Keep in mind that the darker the honey, the more antioxidants it has and the best honey to get is the raw, unprocessed one you can get from your local farmers market.
Those are great suggestions (and great do-it-yourself gifts). Although, do you know of alternatives to petroleum jelly? I’d like to stay away from the petrol- it’s dries out lips. A lot of chapsticks use it which defeats their purpose. Anyhoo, let me know!