Honey
Honey, The World's Most Used Substance
Honey is one of those ingredients that doesn’t need much introduction. It's one of the most used substances in the world, arguably one of the oldest cosmetic ingredients in human history. It was used as early as 4500 BC in Egypt, in cosmetics for the eyes and for the skin.
Honey, of course, comes from bees, but it is not a single compound but rather a natural mixture. This mixture mainly contains fructose and glucose (natural sugars) but also contains proteins, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and other minor compounds. Due to the very complex mixture of its composition, it is very difficult to scientifically determine exactly how honey works in cosmetics, particularly in complicated processes such as skin care. Interestingly, despite the lack of complete understanding, the moisturizing effect is often attributed to its high sugar content (sugars form hydrogen bonds among themselves and water) and the amino acids present (mainly proline but also arginine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, glycine, and leucine).
Main Minerals:
Calcium: 6 mg
Iron: 0.42 mg
Magnesium: 2 mg
Phosphorus: 4 mg
Sodium: 4 mg
Zinc: 0.22 mg
It is well known for its healing properties and has been used since antiquity on wounds and burns. It can moisturize injured tissues, help against microbial infections, and soothe inflammation. It has been tested in numerous dermatological treatments such as acne, rashes, contact dermatitis, and it has been reported to increase skin glow and depigmentation of the skin and hair.
To this day, honey is mainly used in the pharmaceutical industry for its antimicrobial properties. Interestingly, this varies among different types of honey, some being better antibacterial agents than others, and this generally depends on the water content, pH, and the activity of the enzyme glucose oxidase.
Important Properties of Honey
So, what makes it so effective in cosmetic applications? Here are some of its most important characteristics and properties to help answer that question:
High Sugar Content
This includes glucose and fructose. Sugars play many different roles, one of the most important being the nourishment of cells. When it comes to cosmetic application, this property has a rejuvenating effect not only on the skin but also on hair.
High Density and Viscosity
This creates a protective layer over applied areas. It is particularly important for retaining skin moisture. It also creates a protective lining for wounds to allow healing without contamination.
Antibacterial Properties
For the most part, this property of honey is exploited for medicinal purposes. However, it can also prove very useful in terms of cosmetic use. It is particularly handy for treating issues such as skin rashes or scalp infections.
Slightly Acidic pH
This property greatly contributes to honey's antibacterial advantage.
Benefits of Honey
Moisturizing the Skin
It does this through two mechanisms. The first is by forming a dense protective layer on the skin to seal in moisture that is already there. The second is by drawing moisture from the environment onto the skin.
Clearing Clogged Pores
If you have clogged pores that you need cleared, a nice honey mask should do the trick. In this case, honey adheres to things like oil, dirt, and other materials clogging the pores. Once you rinse the honey off, it comes out with all of that, leaving you with clear and no longer suffocated pores.
Exfoliation
In this case, the high rate of sugar and antioxidants contained in honey play a major role in helping to remove old and dead skin cells. To take advantage of this benefit, all you have to do is use honey as part of your facial or skin scrubbing regimen. You can do this by adding it to an exfoliating cream. You can also try making your own scrub using honey and other ingredients like citrus extracts, sugar for the grain, and baking soda.
Soothing Sunburns
Honey has also been shown to have a soothing effect on the skin after sunburns. In this case, it helps by restoring skin hydration, exfoliating damaged skin cells, and exerting its anti-inflammatory effect. For best results, you should try combining it with aloe vera for a skin mask.
Dealing with Acne
Finally, honey is very useful in cosmetic applications when it comes to treating acne. This is due to the antibacterial action as well as the anti-inflammatory effect. The unclogging of pores is also helpful in preventing these breakouts.
Hair
The low pH of honey and its ability to promote the generation of hydrogen peroxide are two decisive factors that help to lighten hair strands and ensure a well-moisturized and supple scalp.
