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Honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
and antimicrobial properties. These benefits
alone make it an ideal candidate for a
natural acne treatment, but honey does one
better. It's also a natural moisturizer.
While most antibacterial creams will leave
your skin dry and irritated, honey actually
rejuvenates and protects your skin.
If you're eating honey and/or using it for a
natural sweetener, it also helps that it
contains a good mix of antioxidant vitamins
and minerals, including most of the B
vitamins, calcium, magnesium, zinc and more.
Be aware that the type of honey you use can
make a difference in your results. Most
brands found in stores are highly processed.
The processed stuff is still good for you, but
organic honey has considerably
stronger antibacterial and antioxidant
properties, as much of the nutrients are
lost during the heating of
processed honey. So if possible, get
the raw, organic variety for your skin care
needs (you can usually tell it by its
darker color). Even better, consider
Manuka honey if you don't mind
spending a little more.
How to
use honey
Honey has benefits whether used topically or
internally, but the most popular methods for
fighting acne involve topical use. This
usually takes the form of a facial mask. The
great thing about honey masks is that
they're cheap and easy. It's usually just
two tablespoons of honey and one more of
something else. See? Easy. And the downside?
Well, that would be the stickiness.
Some people recommend heating it
first, although this is a bit of a tradeoff.
Honey is easier to stir and spread when
heated, but the heat denatures some of the
nutrients, and it can make the mask a runny
mess. I'd recommend skipping the microwave.
Remember that you don't need to refrigerate
honey. It's the one food that never spoils!
Here are a few popular combinations:
Honey & Olive Oil
- Two great skin moisturizers in one.
Olive
oil is a natural cleanser that promotes a
smooth, radiant complexion.
Honey & Lemon Juice
- By combining these two, you get the
exfoliation and toning benefits of
lemon
juice without the usual burning and drying.
Honey & Sugar
- A very popular combination. Sugar gently
promotes exfoliation and also gives the
honey mask a bit more of a pasty
consistency, which some find easier to work
with.
These are just a small sample. There are
tons of things that honey mixes well with
(oatmeal, cinnamon, etc.). It's like the
natural companion to every topical home acne
remedy. The general rule is to massage
the mask onto your skin and let it sit for
10-15 minutes before washing it off, rinse
and repeat 3-4 times per week. Using a
foundation brush to apply the mask can save
you some stickiness.
Note that some people have allergic
reactions to honey. This is to be expected,
as there are literally hundreds of
ingredients in it (scientists still don't
know them all), so someone is bound to be
allergic to a few of them. If your skin is
left irritated after using a honey mask,
this may not be the treatment for you.
If you're not using it topically, taking
honey is as simple as eating a tablespoon
every morning and night (might I suggest
mixing it with a glass of water and
apple
cider vinegar?).
Yes, it's got sugar, but compared to most
processed sugars and sweeteners, honey has a
healthy Glycemic Index (GI) - it is
gradually absorbed into the blood stream for
better digestion. Taking it internally is
not likely to give you dramatic results,
especially if you have moderate to severe
acne, but many do notice an improvement in
their skin.
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