The secret about honey’s natural healing benefits has been out for some time now. Here are four products for hair, face, body and lips that are totally worth the buzz
It’s no secret: bees make the world go round. They keep things functioning as they should and are greatly important to our day-to-day lives. So much so that, according to the WWF, one out of every three mouthfuls of food we eat depends on pollinators such as bees.
Honey is also becoming more and more prevalent within the beauty industry, as it’s naturally moisturising and has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities. “Honey has been used in beauty products since the Egyptian times,” says Paula Carnell, bee consultant and author of Artist to Bees. “It’s no surprise that brands are increasingly relying on honey within their products.” Here, we’ve rounded up four honey-infused products that are totally worth the buzz.
For the face
According to Paula, honey has a whole host of skin-boosting benefits. “When moisture is added to honey, it creates hydrogen peroxide, which actively kills bacteria. When applied to the skin, honey supports the natural healing process, meaning bacteria is no longer able to grow and thrive.” Acne or occasional spots can both, in some cases, be caused by hair follicles that become blocked with bacteria. Eve Lom created the Rescue Mask to help brighten the complexion and tackle problems such as breakouts and blotchiness, with the help of clever ingredients including honey-infused kaolin clay and ground almonds. £65. spacenk.com
Read more: How to look after your skin this summer, according to the experts
For the hair
If you’re struggling with dry or damaged hair, honey could be the miracle ingredient you’ve been looking for. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it contains a hygroscopic substance that keeps things moist. In haircare, a humectant will work by attracting moisture from the environment, thus creating more hydrated, healthier hair. This fairly traded shampoo from Lush has been crafted using fairtrade honey, alongside geranium oil, for hair that feels soft and smells great. £10. lush.com
For the body
Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby created Burt’s Bees more than 40 years ago. Known in his neighbourhood as the ‘bee man’, Burt stored his spare beeswax away, knowing that one day, it could be useful. After meeting his ex-wife Roxanne, Burt decided to share his knowledge of bees with her, and she quickly got to work turning the beeswax into a variety of products, including candles and lip balms. Today, the brand is widely known for its skin and bodycare ranges, including the Naturally Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion. Designed to moisturise dry skin for 24 hours, the 98.9% natural lotion combines milk and honey with coconut and grapeseed oils, keeping skin silky smooth. £11.49. burtsbees.co.uk
Read more: The female-owned beauty brands to have on your radar in 2023
For the lips
Gisou founder Negin Mirsalehi comes from a long line of beekeepers and her family’s honey can be found in a number of the brand’s products. Crafted with a combination of Mirsalehi honey and hydrating hyaluronic acid, the Lip Oil Golden Shimmer Glow works to plump, smooth and define the lips while enhancing their natural colour. Unlike most lip oils, the formula is never sticky, and is designed to provide moisture and protection to chapped, dry lips. £24. uk.gisou.com
