It’s hard to put a price on beauty–one that’s affordable, I mean. The problem with budget beauty buys is that many of them come with promises they can’t keep. They often contain potentially harmful chemicals like the following:
- Petrochemicals, like butyl alcohol, which can clog pores.
- Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, which are environmental toxins and can cause allergic reactions in some users.
- PEGs and PGs, which are ecotoxins as well as potential allergens, and are often contaminated with more harmful chemicals like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
- Parabens, which are known to cause endocrine disruption especially in infants and unborn children in pregnant mothers.
- Synthetic dyes and fragrances, which often cause dermatitis and other mild allergic reactions.
Many “natural” products, however, are often greenwashed and contain these very same chemicals. Unless we want to spend gobs of money on expensive, organic products, we seem to be at an impasse.
That’s where honey steps in.
Legendary heart breaker Cleopatra used to take baths in milk and honey to preserve her youth and beauty. We can take cues from her and use honey and other ingredients to create our own cheap, eco-friendly spa experience.
Why honey?
1. Honey contains antioxidants to promote new cell growth and keep skin youthful. This helps with scarring from old blemishes as well as slowing the aging process.
2. Honey is humectant, meaning it traps moisture. This makes it great for dry skin as well as oily and problem skin. Many acne products over-dry skin which causes our pores to produce more sebum, making our face fertile for blemishes.
3. Honey is antibacterial, especially darker varieties like Manuka (which is made by bees who harvest the same bush from which we get tea tree oil). It cleans your skin while keeping it moist to promote healing, which is why the Greeks, Romans, and other ancient cultures used it to treat wounds.
Many beauty companies add honey to their practically toxic products and label them as “natural.” Why pay money for someone to add chemicals to something that’s already a beauty benefit?
Honey Mask for Dry Skin
Directions: Combine ingredients and apply to a clean face, washing after 10 minutes with lukewarm water and a mild facial cleanser. The egg whites cleanse your pores, the oil moisturizers, and yogurt exfoliates. Use full-fat yogurt for dry skin and low to nonfat for combination or oily skin. |
You will need:
Honey Yogurt Face Scrub
Directions: Combine ingredients and gently apply to your face. Massage–don’t scrub, which can irritate your skin and actually cause breakouts–your face and wash with lukewarm water. |
You will need:
Honey Hair Mask
Directions: Mash the ingredients in a bowl and apply to hair. Massage into your scalp, slap on a shower cap, and wash as usual 30 minutes later. |
You will need:
Cleopatra Bath
Directions: To make sure the honey mixes with the bathwater, pour the honey and hot water into a cup or jaw, swish around until thoroughly mixed, and pour into the rest of the bath. |
You will need:This is a guest post by Alexis Bonari, a freelance writer and researcher for College Scholarships, where she’s been researching interracial scholarships as well as IT scholarships. Whenever she gets some free time, she enjoys watching a funny movie or curling up with a good book.
These are great feel good and relaxing home beauty regimens. This is just wonderful!
This is a good article. I am a man and I do get facial peels but I use a product called TCA which is an abbreviation. I cant spell or pronounce the full name, but it is an acid that is several steps more concentrated than Glycolic peels. This stuff is awesome but can be brutal if not used properly. I will try the recipe above.
WOW! You have given some real cool tips to take care of skin while remaining green. Honey is very useful product for skin as it provides complete nourishment that is required by the skin. thanks for sharing the information with us.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE homemade facials! There is just nothing on a supermarket or department store shelf that can compare! Since I discovered natural skin care a few years ago my skin is better than it was in high school!
These are great feel good and relaxing home beauty regimens. This is just wonderful!