You pay attention to what you are eating, checking the list of ingredients on the packets in the supermarket, and avoiding foods that contain GM (genetically modified) elements. But do you do the same for what your skin eats?
When it comes to looking after your skin, you should take the same care about what you use as you do with what you eat. People are mostly aware that a good healthy diet is important to good health, and are aware of the saying 'you are what you eat'.
Well your skin is maybe even more important. It is the largest of your body's organs, playing a major role in your body's protection. And what you put on your skin can be absorbed into it. So just as you watch what you eat, good care should be taken over the skin care products you use and what ingredients they contain.
Honey is a great natural ingredient for skin treatments. Being completely natural, it is free from harmful chemicals that may otherwise be used. Of course some products may make use of honey and also still add other harmful chemicals it, so you should check all ingredients used.
Honey is a known humectant, which means it works as a natural mosituriser. It is hydroscopic, drawing pure moisture in to help hydrate, smooth and soften your skin. This is why it is used in so many skin and hand creams. However some of the other benefits of honey for your skin can be offset if a product also contains chemical nasties in it. So it is worth checking all the ingredients.
One of the causes of premature aging of skin is exposure to free radicals. Honey is a powerful natural antioxidant helping to counter any free radicals in your skin. Its soothing properties make it feel wonderful when applied too.
Many homemade skin treatment recipes will include honey in their ingredient list. It's use for healing and to beautify the skin has been well documented through the centuries. Even famously used by Cleopatra. Although it doesn't need to part of a recipe - it works very well applied direct onto your skin in its natural state.
In recent times a growing amount of research into honey has shown it contains natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties, although these can vary greatly in level between honeys. One that has been found to have significant antibacterial properties in some batches of it is New Zealand's manuka honey. Suitable batches of which (labeled as UMF®)are now being used for treating hard to heal wounds, burns, and other skin infections. For other honey types the more natural and raw they are the better.
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