Did you know that even many centuries ago, honey was a noted facial skin care product that's an important part of the skin care treatment and even hair care of legendary beauties? Cleopatra was known to bathe herself in milk and honey. Poppea, the wife of Nero, used honey and milk as facial lotion. It helped to keep her looking youthful.



The nectar collected from the flowers is transformed into honey to dress upon some of the most mouth-watering desserts. With the passage of time honey has continued to be one of the main ingredients for skin care. It has maintained its importance due to the beneficial factors. The healing capacity of honey is stupendous making it one of the favorite components for home remedies. Honey has many good properties like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins like B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3. There is presence of copper, iodine and zinc in small quantities.

Honey's natural antioxidant and anti-microbial properties help to protect the skin from the damage of the sun's rays, supports the skin's ability to rejuvenate and refresh depleted skin, leaving it feeling silky soft and supple. One of the most common skin benefits of honey is related to minor acne treatment. Honey absorbs impurities from the pores on the skin, making it an ideal cleansing agent.

Recipes

Honey Cleanser

Mix 1 tbsp. honey, 2 tbsp. finely ground almonds with 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Rub it on your face. Rinse it with warm water.

Honey Toner

Make a concoction of 1 tbsp. honey with peeled and deseeded apple. Apply this paste on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse it with cool water.

Honey Facial Mask

1 tbsp. honey, 1 egg white, 1 tsp glycerin and in proportion add flour to all the ingredients to whisk up a smooth paste. Spread this paste all over your face including the neck and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it off with warm water.

For A Pleasing Bath

To have relaxing bath add 1/4 cup honey to your bath water and ease out in that smooth and silky water.

A Smooth Conditioner

Mix 1 tsp. honey with 1 tsp. vegetable oil and 1/4 tsp lemon juice. This mixture is very natural conditioner to be rubbed on every part of your body which is dry. Leave it on for 10 minutes and later rinse it off.

Hair Shine

Stir 1 teaspoon honey into 4 cups (1 quart) warm water. Blondes may wish to add a squeeze of lemon. After shampooing, pour mixture through hair. Do not rinse out. Dry as normal.

Lip Care

The use of honey on chapped lips is a great hit.

Body Scrub

Use 1/4 cup freshly ground coffee, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 2 tbsp. wheat germ, 2 tbsp. honey, 1 tbsp grape seed oil, 1 egg white. Mix buttermilk, honey, grape seed oil and egg white. Keep adding coffee and wheat germ to this mixture slowly to avoid any lumps. Apply this paste all over your body when in bath helping in exfoliation. Rinse it completely and pat dry to see the effects.

Moisture Mask

Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water..

Honey Hair Conditioning Treatment:

For lustrous, silky, healthy hair and scalp, simply combine 1/2 cup honey and 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup olive oil. Massage scalp with this conditioner, then put on a shower cap for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse as usual.