While we typically think of honey as an essential component of baklava [1] or afternoon tea, the benefits are just as sweet when you incorporate the sticky stuff [2] into your skin care regimen. Honey is deeply moisturizing, is rich with minerals and vitamins (including B6, niacin, and zinc), and balances the skin's pH.
While you could just slap it on your face, it works even better when mixed with other hardworking ingredients in a DIY [3]. We consulted celebrity esthetician Ildi Pekar [4], who whipped up some simple treatments featuring the delectable powerhouse. Even better, all of the following recipes are completely natural, and there's a good chance you already have every single item in your pantry.
Lip Scrub
“This is the most simple and effective DIY [7] lip scrub,” shared Pekar. “I recommend blending the sugar to refine it and make it more gentle.”
What You Need:
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of 100 percent raw honey
Directions:
After mixing the two ingredients together, apply it directly to your pout. Rub your lips together to scrub, then wait five minutes before rinsing off the treatment with warm filtered water. Follow with a natural lip balm to add hydration.
Hair and Scalp Treatment
Honey's antimicrobial properties soothe and prevent inflammation, while coconut oil adds deep moisture. Never made time for a hair mask before? Try it during your next Netflix binge session.
What You Need:
- 3 tablespoons of liquid coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of 100 percent raw honey
Directions:
Blend the two ingredients, then apply from your roots all the way down to the ends of your strands. Leave it on for 20 minutes so the ingredients can fully penetrate your hair and scalp. Rinse thoroughly.
Facial Cleanser
"The sugars in honey act as natural humectants and emollients," said Pekar. "They increase the water content and reduce dryness in the skin even after they have been washed off." While it may sound bizarre (and messy!) to wash your face with honey, the added antimicrobial (read: breakout-fighting) benefits have led to a cult of women swearing by it for clear, soft skin.
What You Need:
- 1 tablespoon of 100 percent raw honey
Directions: Thoroughly wet your face, then smear the honey onto your face. It should emulsify slightly and become easier to spread. After lightly massaging it into your skin, rinse thoroughly.
Face Mask
“This mask contains vitamins that treat wrinkles, dehydration, and even skin tone and texture,” explained Pekar. “Apricots contain vitamins A, B, and C, which heal damaged skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles,” she noted. “Bananas’ vitamins C and B6 help with skin elasticity and deliver a healthy glow.”What You Need:
- ½ of a banana
- 1 apricot
- 1 teaspoon of 100 percent raw honey
Directions:
Remove the skin and pit of the apricot and the peel of the banana, and cut both fruits into small pieces. Mix them with the raw honey in a blender until you achieve a creamy, fluffy texture. Apply the blend to your entire face (except for your eyes, lips, and nostrils), leave on for 20 minutes, and rinse off with cool water.
Body Treatment
“A coffee bean exfoliator is one of the best tricks for cellulite and dry skin!” said Pekar. The caffeine in this formula will tighten your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite, while honey and coconut oil add deep moisture.
What You Need:
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of organic coffee grinds
- 2 tablespoons of 100 percent raw honey
Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a thick paste. After a shower, massage the scrub in an upwards direction on your body, concentrating on areas you’d like to look toned. Rinse off after 20 minutes with cool water.