On the hunt for a glow-boosting addition to your beauty and wellness routine? No need to stray too far for this one-just head to your kitchen.
If you’re reading this, then you are probably just like us-always on the hunt for a new (and preferably natural) glow-boosting supplement to your beauty and wellness routine. If this sounds like you, then we have just the thing: honey. Though delicious on a slice of toast, this antioxidant-packed product full of B vitamins, amino acids, and iron has undeniable benefits.
Not all honey is created equal, though. Raw honey-which is taken straight from the honeycomb-contains bee pollen, antioxidants, and nutrients that are otherwise reduced during the pasteurization process that regular honey you find on supermarket shelves goes through. Then, there's royal jelly, which is produced by the bees to feed their queen, so naturally, it's even more nutrient-packed. Creating a potent blend in Flamingo Estate's Royal Nectar Manuka Honey or used as a skin-saving ingredient in Guerlain's Abeille Royal Advanced Youth Watery Oil, there are plenty of benefits to the golden nectar, inside and out.
Looking for ways to incorporate this sweet ingredient into your beauty routine? Scroll below for a variety of ways honey can give you a glow.
Skin
As a natural humectant, raw honey is highly regarded within the skincare realm. Among many things, raw honey can help to build collagen–the key to youthful skin. And though honey is suitable for use on all skin types, it is especially beneficial for those who suffer from inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Because of its hydrating, healing, and antibacterial properties, honey can be a simple yet powerful addition to your skincare regimen. Mix a bit of water and honey for a gentle facial cleanser and non-abrasive exfoliator. Before mixing honey into your next homemade face wash, be sure to scan the label for keywords such as “raw” and “unprocessed.” Or dab a bit of honey on that stubborn breakout for a strong spot treatment. Next thing you know, honey will be on more than just your breakfast toast.
Hair
In the same way, honey can boost your skin's natural radiance, it can also strengthen your hair health. The natural emollient properties of raw honey can moisturize dry, dull, and damaged hair follicles, not to mention adding a show-stopping shine. While honey on its own cannot stimulate hair growth, the repair of damaged hair with consistent use of the antioxidant-packed product can help hair grow long and strong. Intrigued? Try whipping together a bit of raw coconut oil and honey for a deep-conditioning and radiance-boosting hair mask.
Diet
Among the number of benefits honey can have on your skin, it can also boost your glow from within. Though its effectiveness continues to be researched today, honey has begun to emerge in the gut health world as a possible prebiotic. While honey is the more natural alternative when compared to artificial sweeteners, keep in mind that it is still an added sugar, and too much of one thing often depletes its benefits. The USDA’s food composition database suggests that a serving size of honey is around one tablespoon–so next time you want to sweeten and spice up your morning yogurt or your afternoon tea, opt for a drizzle of honey.