Honey: many of us already know how delicious it is in tea, or spread across toast… but what about putting it on your skin? As it turns out, that’s one of the best things you can do with your jar of sweet nectar! It’s has been proven to provide a whole host of beneficial impacts for the skin, but it’s important to note that for the tips in this article to be effective, it is required that you use raw organic honey (and if you want to go the extra mile, you could even try using Manuka honey).

Conventional honey is treated in a way that basically renders it useless, whereby all of the antioxidants and nutrients are forfeited during the process. It’s not only better for you to consume, but it also means the bees are being treated humanely! So keeping our ethical consumption practices in mind, here a few of the best ways to use honey and give a more youthful-looking glow to your skin.

1. Treats and Prevents Acne

Typically, acne is caused by a bacterium known as ‘Propionibacterium acnes’ — but honey, with its slew of antibacterial properties, is great at killing these germs on the outer and inner layers of your skin. It also has many anti-inflammatory qualities that help it prevent the swelling and redness which accompany acne. And, whereas many acne medications and treatments are extremely abrasive on the skin, honey has a rather soothing effect. You can use it as a 20-minute mask, or even as an overnight spot treatment. Everyone I personally know who uses honey to treat their facial blemishes has remarked that their pimples shrink or disappear overnight.

2. Acts as a Moisturizing Cleanser

Honey has out of this world moisturizing properties — it’s a natural humectant, drawing moisture deep into your skin and then locking it in there. Used either as a mask or a cleanser, this treatment is bound to leave your skin feeling incredibly soft. If you try it as a cleanser (remember: only organic raw honey), make sure you’ve already removed all of your make-up and that you’re washing already clean skin. The honey will also spread more easily on wet skin. Try it for a week — what have you got to lose?

3. Slows Signs of Aging

Did you know that Cleopatra used to bathe in luxurious milk and honey baths? And guess what? She went down in history as one of the most beautiful women to ever have existed. So there must be something there, right? Well, in more recent theory, scientists have found that exposure to free radicals and the consequent oxidization of our bodily cells can expedite the aging process. But honey fights specifically against this effect because it is chock full of antioxidants that are able neutralize those crazy free radicals. So start doing honey masks right this instant if you want that same eternally youthful glow that Cleopatra was rockin’.

4. Fades Scars

Honey works so well as a natural moisturizer because it is extremely nourishing without being oily in the slightest. That’s what makes it so effective when used as a treatment to fade away signs of scarring. It stimulates the healing process and promotes tissue regeneration, as well. In order to use it to for this method, apply a layer of raw honey over your entire face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Afterwards, massage your skin with wet fingers, then rinse with cool water and pat dry. For an added bleaching effect, you can mix equal parts honey and fresh lemon juice. Pre-wash your face, then apply the mixture and leave it on for 15 minutes, again rinsing with cool water and patting dry afterwards. Feeling rejuvenated yet?

5. Softens Lips

Make a quick and easy lip scrub using equal parts honey, natural cane sugar and olive oil. Rub it gently over the lips, allowing it to sit for a couple minutes… I know it’s super yummy, so feel free to lick your lips after! And when you feel like you’ve satisfied your sweet tooth, simply enjoy the sweet pleasure of lips unchapped. 🙂

Do you have any other cool beauty hacks which use honey? Let us know in the comments below!