February 11, 2021
Honeybee beauty hacks
We all know honey is delicious in tea or drizzled on toast, but did you know that honey, along with other amazing bee byproducts, is one of the world’s oldest beauty products? When applied topically, bee products can alleviate a number of unwanted conditions from acne to sunburns and damaged hair. When ingested orally, these products can combat the toughest allergies and soothe even the most irritated throat. Here are our top seven favorite honey bee beauty and health hacks!
What bee byproducts are commonly used in beauty and health products?
Raw honey
For centuries, honey has been used to treat wounds and heal infections. It has powerful antioxidant, antibiotic, and antiviral properties that make it a perfect addition to many beauty and health products. Honey is also a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture, and has the potential to stimulate collagen production which can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Propolis
In the bee world, propolis is a sticky resin that can be used as glue to seal cracks and repair hives. Bees also use it to fight off infection, thanks to its antimicrobial properties. For humans, propolis is rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It can also help rejuvenate the skin by warding off infection and disabling viruses.
Bee pollen
Scientists have concluded that bee pollen is a complete source of nutrition as it contains all the enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, and trace elements needed for cell growth and repair. It is excellent for healing the skin and has been shown to relieve inflammation, strengthen the immune system, boost liver function, and help detox the body!
Royal jelly
Royal jelly is nature’s blend of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It has numerous health benefits including regeneration of cells, wound healing, immune system support, and protecting the skin against dehydration. Royal jelly also has potent antibacterial, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory qualities. The amino acids that are found in royal jelly are also the basic ingredients in collagen, making it the perfect ingredient to support youthful, glowing skin.
Our top honeybee beauty hacks:
Fight acne with raw honey, propolis, and royal jelly
These ingredients have potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for acne-prone skin! Whether they are used independently or in conjunction with one another, these ingredients can help heal existing blemishes and prevent future infections. If you aren’t keen on mixing up your own concoction, Keeper’s Secret Salve is the perfect alternative. Our unique combination of natural ingredients is the secret to radiant skin and hair. Made with calendula infused olive oil, raw honey, bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and beeswax, this versatile salve can be used as a lip balm, eye cream, facial moisturizer, or hair mask to treat acne, soothe rashes, lighten dark spots, fade stretch marks, and restore damaged hair.
You can also use honey as a spot treatment! Simply wash your face, dip a clean cotton swab into the honey and apply to affected areas. Leave on for 30 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
Soothe sunburns with aloe and raw honey
Honey’s anti-inflammatory and moisture-restoring properties are perfect for soothing irritation in the skin, including sunburns. Its thick texture acts as a barrier from any potential infection, so there’s no need to wrap the burn with gauze. To create your own skin-healing remedy, mix together 2 part honey to 1 part pure aloe vera gel. The nutrients and antioxidants found in these two ingredients will speed up the healing process and calm redness and irritation.
Heal scars with raw honey and propolis
Honey and propolis can nourish damaged skin, helping expedite the healing process to reduce scarring when a wound occurs. Their anti-inflammatory nature can even help fade existing scars by regenerating skin cells.
To heal scars, massage a raw honey and propolis mixture directly to the affected area in a circular motion for 2 - 3 minutes and rinse off. While the honey and propolis work to lighten the skin and speed up healing, the circular motion increases circulation and blood flow, allowing the cells to reactivate.
Add moisture and shine to your hair with a honey conditioner
Since honey is a humectant, it attracts moisture and keeps your hair feeling smooth and hydrated. The natural emollients also work to add shine and bounce to your locks - say goodbye to dry, dull hair!
Mix ¼ cup of raw honey with enough water to turn it into a spreadable consistency. Work into damp, clean hair and let it sit for 10 - 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Our top honey bee health hacks:
Relieve a sore throat with raw honey and lemon
Combining bacteria-fighting honey with vitamin C packed lemon juice is a great way to break up mucus, relieve throat pain, and fight off viral infections. Mix two tablespoons of raw honey into a warm glass of water and squeeze in half a lemon. Stir well and drink while warm. This can be consumed several times per day as needed.
Boost your energy naturally with raw honey
Hitting a midday slump? Put down the coffee and reach for raw honey, instead! Honey is high in carbohydrates, which are the body’s main source of energy. Fructose and glucose are the main carbohydrates found in honey and are easily absorbed by the body. Glucose is absorbed quickly, giving you an instant energy boost, while fructose provides sustainable energy since it’s absorbed more slowly. For best results, take a spoonful of honey 20 minutes prior to the time you are looking for a pick-me-up.
Reduce allergy symptoms with raw honey and bee pollen
Don’t let allergy season get you down. Combat the stuffiness, itchy nose, and watery eyes with bee pollen and raw honey. An allergy happens when your body develops an immune response, creating antibodies that activate receptors in the body to release histamine. This results in an allergic reaction such as swollen eyes, runny nose, etc. Bee pollen and honey can effectively reduce histamine in the same way over-the-counter allergy medicines do! Mix raw honey and bee pollen into your morning yogurt, add into smoothies, or sprinkle on granola.
Want more great ideas? Check out our Honey Hair Hacks article for more great tips and tricks!
What bee byproducts are commonly used in beauty and health products?
Raw honey
For centuries, honey has been used to treat wounds and heal infections. It has powerful antioxidant, antibiotic, and antiviral properties that make it a perfect addition to many beauty and health products. Honey is also a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture, and has the potential to stimulate collagen production which can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Propolis
In the bee world, propolis is a sticky resin that can be used as glue to seal cracks and repair hives. Bees also use it to fight off infection, thanks to its antimicrobial properties. For humans, propolis is rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It can also help rejuvenate the skin by warding off infection and disabling viruses.
Bee pollen
Scientists have concluded that bee pollen is a complete source of nutrition as it contains all the enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, and trace elements needed for cell growth and repair. It is excellent for healing the skin and has been shown to relieve inflammation, strengthen the immune system, boost liver function, and help detox the body!
Royal jelly
Royal jelly is nature’s blend of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It has numerous health benefits including regeneration of cells, wound healing, immune system support, and protecting the skin against dehydration. Royal jelly also has potent antibacterial, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory qualities. The amino acids that are found in royal jelly are also the basic ingredients in collagen, making it the perfect ingredient to support youthful, glowing skin.
Our top honeybee beauty hacks:
Fight acne with raw honey, propolis, and royal jelly
These ingredients have potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for acne-prone skin! Whether they are used independently or in conjunction with one another, these ingredients can help heal existing blemishes and prevent future infections. If you aren’t keen on mixing up your own concoction, Keeper’s Secret Salve is the perfect alternative. Our unique combination of natural ingredients is the secret to radiant skin and hair. Made with calendula infused olive oil, raw honey, bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and beeswax, this versatile salve can be used as a lip balm, eye cream, facial moisturizer, or hair mask to treat acne, soothe rashes, lighten dark spots, fade stretch marks, and restore damaged hair.
You can also use honey as a spot treatment! Simply wash your face, dip a clean cotton swab into the honey and apply to affected areas. Leave on for 30 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
Soothe sunburns with aloe and raw honey
Honey’s anti-inflammatory and moisture-restoring properties are perfect for soothing irritation in the skin, including sunburns. Its thick texture acts as a barrier from any potential infection, so there’s no need to wrap the burn with gauze. To create your own skin-healing remedy, mix together 2 part honey to 1 part pure aloe vera gel. The nutrients and antioxidants found in these two ingredients will speed up the healing process and calm redness and irritation.
Heal scars with raw honey and propolis
Honey and propolis can nourish damaged skin, helping expedite the healing process to reduce scarring when a wound occurs. Their anti-inflammatory nature can even help fade existing scars by regenerating skin cells.
To heal scars, massage a raw honey and propolis mixture directly to the affected area in a circular motion for 2 - 3 minutes and rinse off. While the honey and propolis work to lighten the skin and speed up healing, the circular motion increases circulation and blood flow, allowing the cells to reactivate.
Add moisture and shine to your hair with a honey conditioner
Since honey is a humectant, it attracts moisture and keeps your hair feeling smooth and hydrated. The natural emollients also work to add shine and bounce to your locks - say goodbye to dry, dull hair!
Mix ¼ cup of raw honey with enough water to turn it into a spreadable consistency. Work into damp, clean hair and let it sit for 10 - 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Our top honey bee health hacks:
Relieve a sore throat with raw honey and lemon
Combining bacteria-fighting honey with vitamin C packed lemon juice is a great way to break up mucus, relieve throat pain, and fight off viral infections. Mix two tablespoons of raw honey into a warm glass of water and squeeze in half a lemon. Stir well and drink while warm. This can be consumed several times per day as needed.
Boost your energy naturally with raw honey
Hitting a midday slump? Put down the coffee and reach for raw honey, instead! Honey is high in carbohydrates, which are the body’s main source of energy. Fructose and glucose are the main carbohydrates found in honey and are easily absorbed by the body. Glucose is absorbed quickly, giving you an instant energy boost, while fructose provides sustainable energy since it’s absorbed more slowly. For best results, take a spoonful of honey 20 minutes prior to the time you are looking for a pick-me-up.
Reduce allergy symptoms with raw honey and bee pollen
Don’t let allergy season get you down. Combat the stuffiness, itchy nose, and watery eyes with bee pollen and raw honey. An allergy happens when your body develops an immune response, creating antibodies that activate receptors in the body to release histamine. This results in an allergic reaction such as swollen eyes, runny nose, etc. Bee pollen and honey can effectively reduce histamine in the same way over-the-counter allergy medicines do! Mix raw honey and bee pollen into your morning yogurt, add into smoothies, or sprinkle on granola.
Want more great ideas? Check out our Honey Hair Hacks article for more great tips and tricks!