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Can’t spend the day at a beauty spa? You can still get a
sweet treatment. All-natural honey has been used as a beauty
product since the days of Cleopatra and it continues to be
used today in manufactured and homemade products for skin
and hair care. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it
has the ability to attract and retain moisture. The skin’s
ability to stay moist (or hydrated) is an important factor
in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and
elasticity. As skin ages, or as it is exposed to
environmental stresses and chemical agents, it loses its
ability to retain water; it becomes dry and appears
wrinkled. Honey’s natural hydrating properties make it ideal
for use in moisturizing products. Because it’s all natural
and doesn’t irritate the skin, honey is also suitable for
sensitive skin products.
Pamper Your Honey
If your honey becomes cloudy or granular, part of honey’s
natural process of crystallization, you can easily restore
it to a sparkling liquid state. Simply place the honey jar
in warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve. Or place
the honey in a microwave safe container with the lid off and
microwave on HIGH (100%), stirring every 30 seconds, until
the crystals dissolve. Always store honey at room
temperature, never in the refrigerator.
A Spoonful a Day
The old saying is “you are what you eat.” Recent studies by
Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc. show that antioxidants in the diet
also play a role in protecting the skin from the damage of
the sun and other environmental stresses. In addition to
antioxidants, honey provides a wide array of essential
vitamins and minerals at trace levels and is a source of
quick energy. Although sweeteners generally do not contain
protein, several different amino acids, the building blocks
of protein, have been identified in honey. To reap the
benefits of honey’s healthful properties, make honey part of
your daily diet, along with plenty of fruits, vegetables and
water.
- Stir a
spoonful of honey into your morning juice or afternoon
yogurt.
- Sweeten
coffee and tea with honey.
- Drizzle your
favorite cereal with honey or look for honey-sweetened
cereals in the grocery store.
- Pair honey
with peanut butter for a grab ‘n go sandwich spread.
- Dip apple
slices and other fresh fruit in honey.
- Dress up a
snack of crackers and cheese with a dab of honey.
- Eat a
spoonful of honey before your morning jog or weekend
volleyball game. To replenish fluids after exercising,
stir a spoonful of honey into a glass of water.
Note: Honey
should not be fed to babies under one year of age. Honey is
a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults.
Honey, You’re a Natural Beauty
Why buy expensive beauty products when you can easily make
them yourself? With common household ingredients like milk,
nuts and oil, you can turn honey into an inexpensive,
all-natural cleanser or conditioner. Try one of these ideas
and then you’ll hear, “Honey, you’re beautiful.” |
