Ahh Honey. I remember when honey only had two uses for me, my tea and my homemade BBQ sauce. Otherwise, I was running from anything honey related. It's my momma's fault to be honest. When I was little and complained about a sore throat, she'd grab that infamous honey bear, a teaspoon and that bottle of real lemon and I hated it! Yasss honey, there were times when I'd wait until I could barely swallow before saying a word because I knew what was coming..lol! She traumatized me y'all! And of course, I did the same thing to my kiddos while hollering "Open wide, you'll live, I did!" Honestly, I truly didn’t know until years later and extensive research how amazingly beneficial honey is. So today, in front of you lovely ladies, I say, "thank you mom, you were on track!"
I promise I'm going to try not to write a novel but there is so much yummyou goodness to share about the wonderful world of honey. So bare with me. It'll be worth it.
Now, first things first, how much honey is really in your honey?
Raw Honey vs. Filtered Honey
Let me start out by saying, not all honey is created equal. I have to admit, I was a little PO'd when I learned I was being duped at my local grocery store. Yes, we are being hoodwinked, run amuck, lead astray. How? you might ask. Well, there is one component of honey that truly makes it, well, honey and that's bee pollen. It's what makes honey one of nature's most nourishing foods. I like to think of it as the bee's thumbprint. Bee pollen is full of protein and amino acids. It's known to be used for weight management, counteracting pollen allergies, wound and ulcer healing and of course skincare.
Raw honey is a crude form of honey immediately taken out of the cells of the honey combs within a bee hive. It can't be heated above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the normal temperature of the bee hive. It is NEVER filtered or pasteurized and doesn't contain any other additives. Which brings me to my point, once bee pollen is removed (filtered) all of the medicinal properties are lost. This is called Ultra Filtration, the process of removing the bee pollen from the honey, leaving the honey virtually nutrition-less but giving it an extremely long shelf life, great for big business but not so great for you and me. Yep, sadly 3 out of 4 bottles of honey on the shelves are fake. So, be sure to look for raw honey and read that label carefully.
Now, on to the good good about the new love affair your skin is going to have with the liquid gold we call honey and why we only use locally sourced raw honey in our Raw Honey Cleanser
Skincare Benefit and Uses
Beautiful Skin
Honey is phenomenal when used in your daily skincare regimen. That's why you can find it in many skincare products today. Honey is rich in natural antioxidants that have antimicrobial properties. Honey is a humectant meaning it's able to absorb and retain moisture, which helps keep the skin hydrated. These are qualities that make honey a great anti-aging agent and moisturizer.
Fights Acne
Acne is caused by the build-up of oil and dirt on the skin. Honey acts as an ideal cleansing agent absorbing impurities from the pores on the skin. It's also a natural antiseptic, soothing and healing your skin.
Pore Cleanser
The enzymes in raw honey help keep pores clean and clear while clarifying the skin. Honey will cleanse your skin without stripping away the skin's natural oils.
Regulates Skin pH
The slight acidity of honey creates a healthy environment on the skin that promotes tissue healing and regeneration.
Exfoliant
Honey contains the sugars glucose and fructose, natural alpha-hydroxy acids, that exfoliate the skin. Honey will exfoliate our skin by removing the dead skin cells, allowing new cells to emerge for a radiant complexion and evening out skin tones.
So as you can see, honey is more than just good for your tummy. I hope I didn't get too long winded but I can go on and on about this nectar from the buzzing gods. I truly believe nature gives us everything we need to survive. And to think I use to swat the heck out of those buzzers, trying to end their productive life. I have a new found appreciation for those busy bees. Now, mind you, that appreciation is from a distance since I'm allergic. I am still scared of them.
Til next time sugahs be sure to love the skin you're in!
XOXO
Marla Rene
This article is only for informative purposes. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor.
