All-natural honey has been used a beauty product since the days of Cleopatra and it continues to be used today in manufactured and homemade products for skin and hair care. Honey is naturally hydrating and non-irritating.

Aside from being a natural beauty formulation, this nature's offering turned out to be an antimicrobial agent. All-natural honey turned out to be an effective treatment for minor abrasions and burns. Also, honey is a natural fit as a moisturizer. No wonder, it is a major ingredient in a variety of moisturizing products nowadays, like cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners. Honey is a humectant which attracts and retains water - a major factor to assist the body and facial skin's ability to stay hydrated. The skin’s ability to stay moist (or hydrated) is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity. Those with sensitive skin and are worrying over the right skin care products for their babies, honey can help because of it's anti-irritant properties.

Honey has significant natural antioxidant properties. Antioxidants play a role in protecting the skin from the damage of UV rays and in aiding in skin rejuvenation. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can cause skin damage, premature aging and even skin cancer. Because chemical and physical barrier sunscreens can cause skin irritation, companies are researching the use of antioxidants, anti-irritants and moisturizers in their sun care products. The natural properties of honey make it ideal for these products. Look for honey to appear in the ingredient statements of more and more cosmetics, sunscreens and skin care products.

Research is currently underway to develop a process using honey to create alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are an important ingredient in many skin creams and moisturizers because they help exfoliate the skin. Increased exfoliation, or renewal of the skin cells, gives skin a younger, more vibrant look. Exfoliation can also cause skin irritation so honey’s natural moisturizing ability makes it a perfect fit for AHA products.

Here are a few honey facial and body scrubs recipes that you can make at home:
1. Soothing Skin Clarifier (for minor acne flare-ups) - Mix 1/2 cup warm water with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Using a cotton ball, apply directly to blemish. Maintain pressure with cotton ball for several minutes, to soften blemish. Using a cotton swab, dab honey on blemish; leave on 10 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
2. Firming Facial Mask -Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin (available at drug and beauty stores) and enough flour to form a paste. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water.
3. Moisture Mask - Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
4. Smoothing Skin Lotion - Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon lemon. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.
5. Honey Cleansing Scrub - Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds and ½ teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water.

Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. Honey has powerful antimicrobial properties and because of its natural anti-inflammatory effect, it also helps to heal wounds more quickly. It also has different photochemical found in plants that kill viruses, bacteria, and fungus. It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which comes from the nectar and pollen the bees gather. Honey also contains small quantities of copper, iodine, and zinc. Many vegetable hormones are also present in it. Studies show that burns also heal better with honey. The advantage of honey is that it not only prevents infections from occurring, it actually accelerates skin healing.

Really, there is no simpler way to bring a smooth glow to your skin than with honey beauty recipes.