The Benefits of Raw Honey for your Skin

The benefits of raw honey on your skin abound!  Honey is naturally created by enzyme activity, and made up of plant matter and live beneficial bacteria. There are literally hundreds of practical uses for raw honey, but today we will talk a bit about the benefits of raw honey for your skin.

The most common use of honey for cosmetic purposes is for clearing blemishes, healing scars, and evening skin tone and brightness.

For these purposes, raw, unpasteurized honey is best used because it has not been subjected to high temperatures that kill off beneficial bacteria.  Raw honey helps balance the bacteria on your skin and speeds up skin cell healing. It contains antioxidants that hold anti-aging properties and because it is a gentle exfoliator, honey clears away dead skin cells, revealing fresh bright skin underneath.  This can give your skin a natural glow.

Shade Tree Naturals has four Summer products that contain locally sourced raw honey.  Our Honey Vanilla Orange Soap , Honey Vanilla Orange Lip balm, Honey Vanilla Sugar Scrub and our Honey Vanilla Orange Body Butter are great for all skin types and have a classic light citrus and vanilla scent reminiscent of summer days.  Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts moisture like a magnet and locks it in.  Unlike chemical and water-based products that draw moisture away from your skin. 

*Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

If you're more into DIY treatments, raw honey can usually be found in your kitchen already and is relatively inexpensive.  Here are a few DIY treatments for you to try at home and contain a small amount of readily available ingredients.

Spot Treatment - Apply a small amount of raw honey directly to your blemishes with a natural cotton swab or clean finger.  Allow the honey to work it's magic overnight and in the morning gently rinse off with warm water.  Repeat until healed. This treatment is less drying than traditional medical acne treatments.

Plain Raw Honey Mask - Apply one teaspoon to one tablespoon of raw honey to your entire face in a gentle circular motion.  Allow the honey to work for 15-30 minutes and rinse clean with a gentle washcloth and warm water.

Raw Honey and Oatmeal Mask - Mix one tablespoon of raw honey with two tablespoons of cooked oatmeal.  Apply to the entire face and allow it to work for 15-30 minutes.  Rinse clean with warm water and a gentle washcloth.

Raw Honey and Yogurt Mask - Mix one tablespoon of raw honey and two tablespoons of plain yogurt.  Apply to the entire face and allow it to work for 15-30 minutes.  Rinse clean with warm water and a gentle washcloth.

Please let me know if you try any of these suggestions and how they work for you!  Happy Self Care!