Mmmm. The nectar of the bees can be used for more than sweetening your tea this summer. Honey benefits for skin are pretty sweet too.

Honey holds superfood status and is widely used as a more nutritious sweetener option over processed sugar. The powers behind this sticky substance have been used for centuries.

Ancient Egyptians made honey offerings to their gods and even used it as an embalming fluid. The syrupy sweetener is no longer used by morticians, but doesn’t stop at high tea either. Used on skin, honey holds a veritable smorgasbord of benefits for all skin types.

Honey Benefits for Skin

For Dry Skin: Honey is a natural humectant, drawing moisture to the skin. When wind and sun have had their way with your complexion, bring it back to life with raw honey. Use May Lindstrom Skin The Honey Mud to cleanse skin and restore hydration. Follow with Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer for moisture retention and luster inducing qualitities.

For Mature Skin: A favorite amongst green beauty experts looking for a little skin revitalization? A honey mask. Full of antioxidants, the sweet treat seems to tighten skin and add a healthy glow. La Bella Figura Bio Active Healing Mask is made with raw Manuka honey and Barbary Fig Seed oil to nourish and exfoliate skin, while neutralizing free radicals that cause premature aging.

For Acne Prone Skin: Yes, honey even holds acne taming abilities. Its antimicrobial properties prevent the growth of bacteria on skin, clear pores and ward off breakouts. It is also anti-inflammatory to help calm upset skin. Added bonus? Honey won’t dry skin out like benzyl peroxide acne treatments. Ditch the harsh chemical scrubs and try HollyBeth Organics Grits & Honey Scrub to exfoliate and clear the skin.

For Treating Spots: If you are dealing with occasional pimples or trying to make dark spots or scars disappear, try using honey as a spot treatment. An excellent option is Wedderspoon 100% Raw Organic Manuka Honey. Hydrogen peroxide is produced in Manuka honey, which draws impurities out of pores and lightens spots.

For Lips: If you’ve yet to be called Sweet Lips, let’s change that pronto! Honey has an amazing softening effect on skin, but applying straight from jar to lips can be a bit too sticky. Suvana Beauty Paw Paw & Honey Organic Lip Balm is organic-beauty-famous because it goes on like petroleum jelly but is free from nasty stuff. Your pucker will be deliciously soft and smooth.

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Image of bees on honeycomb via Shutterstock

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