Honey

We all know honey in one way or another. It is a sweet product of bees and is chemically a supersaturated solution of sugars, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and various bioactive compounds.

It has been used in skincare for centuries for its antimicrobial, emollient, moisturizing (humectant), and soothing properties.

Honey is widely used in skincare products for various reasons. It has been used since ancient times as a wound dressing ingredient, providing antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and improved wound healing. It is also beneficial for chronic or difficult-to-heal wounds, dermatitis, psoriasis, and even skin reactions from radio- or chemotherapy.

Honey is also useful for less serious skin issues. It is a fantastic emollient and helps with skin hydration. It is rarely used in concentrations above 15% due to issues with solubility and formulation.

Honey crystals may be undesirable in commercial skincare products, but if you have a jar of old, crystallized honey at home, then you can make a homemade peeling scrub.

The issue with honey is that its chemical constitution is completely different depending on the location, surrounding flowers, and species of bees. The resulting honey will differ in color, scent, taste, and bioactivity.

Some kinds of honey have achieved medical-grade status, namely manuka honey, which is famous for its antimicrobial and wound healing properties. It is a New Zealand unifloral honey derived from the Manuka tree Leptospermum scoparium. It has been shown to combat even methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (a common hospital superbug causing difficult and deadly infections), due to its content of methylglyoxal.

The current field of research is mainly focused on the different kinds of honey, their special active constituents, and their beneficial activities. We are certainly about to see more interesting honey-based products in the future.