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Honey is a natural product produced by bees, which are among the most valuable animals on the planet. Honey bees visit millions of flowers during their lifetime and transform the nectar they collect into liquid gold – honey. Bees have been producing honey for 150 million years and are the only insects whose food produced for themselves is eaten by humans. In addition to its taste and health benefits, honey has excellent skin care properties. As far back as ancient times, Cleopatra added it to her famous milk baths and used honey as an ingredient in her smears, masks and creams.
The precious properties of honey result from its composition. Honey is a saturated aqueous solution of invert sugar, which contains a complex mixture of other carbohydrates and ingredients such as: enzymes, amino acids, organic acids, minerals, waxes, pollen, aromatic substances.The largest share in honey have sugars fructose (approx. 38%) and glucose (31%). The amount of sucrose is variable and depends on the degree of maturity. In addition to the carbohydrates listed above, more than 20 other oligosaccharides can be identified in honey, the proportion of which depends on the plants from which it was made.
Due to its high sugar content, honey has excellent moisturising and nourishing properties, which is why it is often used in face creams and body lotions. What other cosmetic properties of honey do we know? Honey is excellent for soothing irritation, making it suitable for formulating products for sensitive skin and cosmetics for children. In vivo studies have confirmed the antimicrobial properties of honey, which is why it is also used in products intended to fight skin infections, e.g. acne. Cosmetics with honey reduce the risk of keloid and accelerate wound healing. Research work is currently underway to isolate α-hydroxy acids (AHAs) from honey by extraction method. AHA acids are used in skin creams and moisturizers for their exfoliating effect. The numerous nutrients contained in honey have a beneficial effect on the skin, contributing to its regeneration, smoothing and improving its appearance. Honey contains the necessary ingredients for the production and successive release of small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is produced in honey by the enzyme glucose oxidase and is one of the most popular ingredients for bleaching or lightening hair. As a result, honey can be used in hair lightening products.
The cosmetic properties of honey also provide an excellent basis for DIY cosmetics. Honey can be used as a base for face masks, hair masks or lip scrubs. Also, beauty salons offer honey treatments. These include relaxing massages that moisturize, smooth and improve the overall condition of the skin.
It should be mentioned that people who are allergic to honey should not use cosmetics with honey. Caution should also be exercised if you are allergic to pollen and bees. Before applying pure honey to a larger area of the body, it is important to test it on a smaller part of the body, e.g. on the forearm.
So is it worth using honey? Of course it is and not just in the kitchen during the autumn/winter season. Honey contained in cosmetics is rich in nutrients that will take care of the skin’s well-being and keep it looking healthy and radiant all year round.