Some people dream of trinkets and jewels, while we have only one treasure on our minds - honey, quite simply. And there is no exaggeration in that at all. Dealing with honey every day in the kitchen, we often do not stop to think what a marvel we have in front of us. And there really is plenty to marvel at. We would happily write ten poems in praise of the hardworking bees (female ones, because only they are workers, and they are fantastic!), but since we are in the cosmetics business, today we will focus on what they produce. Honey is the most precious liquid gold. Thick, sweet, naturally antibacterial. This golden nectar has been eaten with pleasure for centuries, but it also fascinates with its versatility, its many uses and its remarkable caring properties. Honey in cosmetics has a long history, but it is also becoming more and more popular. So how can we use honey and its beneficial effects in daily skincare? Join us for a short journey through honeyed splendour.

The history of honey in skincare - from antiquity to the present day

Since antiquity honey has worked wonderfully as a remedy for skin problems or as an addition to daily care. Everyone has probably heard of the marvellous baths of Cleopatra, who regularly splashed about in milk and honey and most likely owed her stunning beauty to exactly that (a small aside - let us be honest, every one of us would like to be Cleopatra and splash about in that honey. Is it not wonderful that we have access to the same ingredient she did?). The ancient Egyptians valued honey as food, but also as an essential component in creating cosmetic formulas and medicinal ointments. It was irreplaceable as a remedy for healing wounds, a substantial helper in daily skincare, but also a natural preservative in embalming. In the medicine of the Far East it was used to treat various ailments and infections, including skin conditions. The wise women and herbalists of the Middle Ages used honey's marvellous properties in beautifying potions, valuing its regenerating and anti-inflammatory qualities. Folk knowledge is based on empirical experience - you used something because that something, quite simply, worked. As time went on and science developed, honey could be put under a microscope and it could be confirmed scientifically that yes, the bees' work is a treasure and contains a multitude of beneficial properties. That is exactly what led to the wide use of honey in modern cosmetics.

The properties of honey that matter in cosmetics

All these versatile uses of honey have their source in its properties. That is where its richness lies. A whole range of precious components makes it irreplaceable in skincare. All the elements we find in honey can easily be grouped into lines of action that matter for the health and condition of the skin. So what exactly makes it so? What in this liquid gold is best for the skin? Let us take honey under the magnifying glass and have a look at its properties.

Honey - nourishing action

• The enzymes and nutrients contained in honey support the natural renewal processes of the epidermis,
• the B, PP and C vitamins that are also found in honey improve the condition of the skin,
• minerals are essential for cells to function properly.

Honey - moisturising action

• It acts as a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and binds water in the skin,
• the protective film that honey forms on the surface of the skin prevents moisture loss,
• honey is a natural regulator and helps maintain the right level of hydration in the epidermis.

Honey - anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action

Interestingly, eating habits also play a role in the condition of our lips - eating a lot of salty or spicy food can contribute to them drying out and even chapping. After all, what we want is to keep moisture in the skin. Excessive consumption of coffee or alcohol can have a similarly negative effect on our lips.

• The task of the natural compounds contained in honey is to heal minor damage,
• the antibacterial properties of honey inhibit the growth of the bacteria responsible for imperfections,
• honey and its natural compounds support skin regeneration and soothe irritation.

How does honey work together with other active ingredients?

Is honey really a team player, or a diva who can only perform solo? Well, to our delight and to the general joy of honey maniacs and natural cosmetics producers alike, honey shows an exceptional ability to work synergistically with many of the active ingredients used in cosmetics. It goes particularly well with:

Fruit acids (AHA)

• Honey supports the exfoliating action,
• it reduces the risk of irritation,
• it enhances the brightening effect.

Vitamins

• It increases the stability of vitamin C,
• it supports the penetration of vitamins deep into the skin,
• it prolongs the action of vitamins.

Peptides

• Honey strengthens the anti-wrinkle action of peptides,
• it improves skin elasticity,
• it supports collagen production.

Why is it worth choosing cosmetics with honey?

If we still have not convinced you that honey and honey cosmetics are an absolute bullseye - and a bullseye backed by hundreds of years of choices made by representatives of the most varied civilisations - then perhaps a short cheat sheet titled why it is worth entering into a cosmetic friendship with honey will do the trick?

Cosmetics containing honey are a horn of plenty full of benefits that are hard to find in other products, and its advantages can be summed up as follows:

Versatility of action

• Different skin types will be pleased, because honey is the perfect care addition for everyone, from dry skin to combination and seborrhoeic skin,
• cosmetics with honey can be used at any time of year,
• honey goes far and works well in various forms of cosmetics (creams, lip balms, masks, lotions).

Safety of use

• Not only does honey bring antibacterial qualities to cosmetics, but cosmetics with honey rarely cause allergic reactions,
• they are well tolerated by sensitive skin, so go ahead, you can give them a try,
• they are safe and so this can be a long-term relationship - cosmetics with honey can be used over a long period.

Natural origin

• This minimises the risk of side effects,
• natural cosmetics like that, which means everything fits - naturalness in harmony,
• friendliness to the environment.

Short-term effects (which are also visible straight away!)

• Immediate hydration of the skin (and you can feel it),
• improved skin tone (you can see it),
• soothed irritation (you can feel it and see it).

Benefits for the longer term

• The wrinkle-down effect, meaning wrinkles become less visible,
• skin elasticity improves,
• the hydrolipid barrier is strengthened.

Preventive effects

• Ageing processes slow down,
• protection from the harmful action of external factors,
• the skin's natural resilience is strengthened.

Do not forget that regularity is the key to success. We will achieve the best results, and on many fronts at once, by using honey cosmetics often and in line with the manufacturer's instructions. As for home methods and playing around with honey, an interesting adventure could be a honey mask used as a supplement to daily care. Such a mask, code name "honey on the face", will be particularly helpful when the skin is asking for extra hydration or regeneration.

Summary

The fact that honey is used in so many aspects of life is its perfect calling card. Honey in cosmetics, in turn, has been known and loved for hundreds of years. That it is once again entering the salons is due not only to fashionable trends but to the scientifically confirmed advantages of this ingredient. Honey moisturises, soothes inflammation and regenerates, and these wonderful properties make it an excellent ingredient in daily care. It is wonderful to still be able to benefit from honey's qualities (thank you, bees!), so whether we choose a ready-made cosmetic with honey (such as scrubs, lip balms or lip butters) or reach for a home-made honey mask, we can be sure that our skin will receive a soothing dose of natural nutrients, will be wrapped in hydration and pampered with goodness.

Let us remember, though, that what matters most is consistency and choosing products that suit the individual needs of our skin. Honey, versatile as it is, gives the best results when you reach for it regularly. Cosmetics with honey used as part of a comprehensive care routine, often and conscientiously, are the perfect choice.

With greetings to Cleopatra!