Honey for Smooth Skin

If your skin is rough, chapped or dry, you may have tried numerous over-the-counter moisturizers, exfoliators and other treatments to help moisturize and smooth your skin. One remedy you may not have tried is honey. According to the National Honey Board, honey is a common ingredient in many skin care products and can add moisture to your skin, helping it to become smooth and supple.

History

Honey has been used for hundreds of years by cultures around the world for its beauty and healing benefits. According to author Nathaniel Altman in his book, "The Honey Prescription: The Amazing Power of Honey as Medicine," honey was used throughout history for a variety of purposes, including beauty and skin care. Cleopatra reportedly used a face mask of honey every morning to keep her skin radiant and smooth. In Ayurvedic medicine in ancient India, healers used honey to help heal wounds, skin disorders and a variety of health-related issues. In medieval Europe, medical practitioners used honey to disinfect wounds and other medical issues. Today, honey is used in herbal and folk medicine for a number of purposes, including being a popular ingredient in skin lotions, face masks and exfoliators.

Function

According to author Altman and the National Honey Board, honey has exfoliating and moisturizing properties that can help to give you smooth, radiant skin. The National Honey Board states that honey is a humectant that helps your skin attract and retain moisture, making it a beneficial ingredient for treating dry, chapped, flaky or wind-burned skin. Honey is used in commercially prepared beauty treatments for smoothing the skin, and you also can use honey to make your own smooth skin treatment at home.

Types

According to author Altman, there are two basic types of honey -- blossom honey and honeydew honey. Blossom honey is produced by the nectar of flowers, while honeydew honey is the product of the excretions of insects. You don't have to buy expensive honey when making your own skin care treatments, however. Regular, store-bought honey is perfectly acceptable, notes Altman.

Home Treatments

You can make a skin-smoothing exfoliating treatment at home by combining 1/3 cup of raw honey with enough oatmeal to make a paste. Apply this to your skin, scrubbing gently to help remove dead skin cells, and rinse off with warm water. You can also use a mixture of honey and one beaten egg yolk as a facial mask to smooth your skin, according to author Altman.

Expert Insight

If you suffer from the dry, itchy skin conditions eczema or psoriasis, you might try applying a mixture of honey, olive oil and beeswax. According to a 2003 study led by Noori S. Al-Waili and published in "Complementary Therapies in Medicine," most study participants who suffered from either eczema or psoriasis and used this mixture experienced a significant improvement in their condition.