Honey, I'm home (and even hotter)

Honeys got me DRIPPIN'. I love coming across fun and surprising beauty ingredients, especially when they are so manageable to get raw and pure! Not only is honey extremely beneficial for your skin, but it’s delicious too. Call me crazy, but anything I can lather on my skin and then lick off of my fingers is a “SOLD!” in my book. Am I right, or am I right?

-Why Honey is the Bees Knees-

First off, let’s break down WHY honey is a perfect addition to your skin regimen. Honey is a humectant, which is basically a fancy way of saying it’s extremely hydrating. WIN. Honey is also very antibacterial and healing so not only is it a great route when trying to heal acne but it's also a great way to prevent or minimize past acne scarring. I personally was always fighting the constant battle of trying to balance my breakouts as well as prevent my face from drying out. Seriously, name a negative skin problem and I effing have it. Anyone: “So… is your skin dry or oily?” Me: “Um, it’s both bitch, because apparently my face couldn’t decide which annoying trait it wanted to have so it picked both.” Anyways, Honey is a great way to balance oily skin while also keeping it hydrated. Seems like an oxymoron but, whatever, don’t ask questions, just appreciate this little gift of perfection. Can I also just point out that honey is a great way to prevent aging. It is literally filled with antioxidants and gives your skin the softest glow ever. Now we know how Winnie The Pooh kept that golden glow and never aged after all of these years. Seriously Winz, call me.

-Raw Honey VS Manuka Honey-

This is where things get a little more specific. Raw Honey is going to be in it’s purest form. STOP buying the bullshit that isn’t pure. All it is, is a natural sweetener that has been heated, processed and robbed of all of its nutrients. It’s pointless. Unless you’re pranking someones house, fine. RAW honey is going to be your best bet because none of the amazing enzymes and antioxidants have been killed off in a high-heating process. Raw honey often looks cloudier, has a more solid texture and sometimes is separated in color. Just stir it and get over it. It’s DELICIOUS too! Like, I’m pretty sure I ate it for dinner once out of the jar with a spoon… I don't wanna talk about it.

Manuka Honey is pretty much a whole other ball game. It’s basically the Mayor of Honey Town. Manuka honey is legitimately considered MEDICAL GRADE. I mean, DOCTORS are using this shit on horrible infections! (Which is perfect because I have dreams about basically any of the Grey's Anatomy staff rubbing honey all over my body anyway already.) The reason Manuka Honey is different than your standard raw honey, is because it is produced from bees who pollinate solely off of the Manuka Bush. AKA- tea tree. Tea tree oil has become a hugely recognized healing agent, so it makes complete sense that it was somehow involved in this sticky miracle. Although raw honey is a natural hydrogen peroxide (ya, cool right?), Manuka Honey has extra antibacterial honey qualities in it as well. The main bacteria killing source in Manuka Honey is Methylglyoxal (MG). When purchasing this type of honey you will notice there is a grade scale. UMF=Unique Manuka Factor which correlates with the amount of MG in it. The higher the UMF, the stronger the antibiotic effect of the honey.

Active 5+ = MGO™ 30

UMF® 10 = MGO™ 100

UMF® 16 = MGO™ 250

UMF® 20 = MGO™ 400

UMF® 25 = MGO™ 550

So, which do you want you ask? Both are GREAT options. When dealing with more serious skin issues such as current acne, deep scarring, severe irritation etc., Manuka will be your best bet. However, Manuka honey ain’t cheap babes, especially the higher the UMF. It really is worth it though and lasts forever.

Click Here for the Raw Honey and Manuka Honey I use and trust

-My Favorite DIY Honey Inspired Products-

Body Wash:

• 2 cup liquid castile soap (I use Dr. Bronners Lavender)

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup raw honey

• 1/4 cup of your favorite carrier oil (I use coconut oil)

• 40 drops essential oils (optional)

Face Mask:

Lather a thin layer of Raw or Manuka Honey on your face (and neck if it’s not too messy, ideally before the shower) and keep on for 15 minutes- as long as you want! That’s the best part of most natural and pure ingredients, you don’t have to fear keeping on a product too long and your face falling off. Get crafty with it and feel free to throw in some of your favorite essential oils or some aloe!

Peace.Love&Beauty