Honey is an amazing medicine for your skin. One would l think that this sweet sticky substance made from bees does anything more than sweeten up you baking recipes. I was surprised to find that honey is an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hygroscopic which makes it a medicine for your skin care needs.
1. Honey is Hygroscopic
According to Wikipedia hygroscopy is the ability of a substance to attract and hold water molecules from the surrounding environment. Honey has a hygroscopic nature. You can treat open wounds with honey and the hygroscopic properties will help prevent scaring and encourage new skin growth by keeping the skin moist. This makes honey a great additive for any kind of facial mask or skin care recipe you might want to make yourself. Many people call honey a natural “humectant” as it attracts and retains moisture. As a skin care treatment, honey can trap and seal moisture leaving your face soft and smooth and healthy.
2. Honey is Antibacterial
Over the years honey has been used to treat many ailments. During the early part of the 20th century, scientists began to discover its antibacterial properties. In Ayurveda, (an Indian medicine dating over 4000 years) considered honey to positively affect three imbalances in the body. Researchers found out that the antimicrobial agent in honey hinders the growth of certain bacteria. When honey is used on a wound or as a skin enhancer, hydrogen peroxide is produced by dilution of the honey with body fluids. As a result, hydrogen peroxide is released slowly and acts as an antiseptic.
The slow release of hydrogen peroxide also helps treat acne by killing the bacteria that caused the outbreaks and at the same time help heal the scars a common end result of acne breakouts. There is a lot of variation in the antimicrobial potency of honey but someone told me about honey made from the Manuka bush which grows very well in New Zealand and has the highest microbial potency of all.
3. Honey is a Source of Antioxidants
The oxidation of molecules is a process that transfers electrons from one state to another , thus producing free radicals and in this process the free radicals can produce a chain reaction which causes damage to a cell or your skin. The natural antioxidant properties of honey will help destroy those free radicals and help prevent diseases like cancer. According to some studies, Buckwheat honey has the most antioxidants than the lighter varieties. Why not try using honey for treating sunburns, dry skin and other applications like facial masks as they have done for thousands of years.
