The idea of using honey as moisturizer really doesn’t make a lot of sense. The water content of the sweet is very low at only 17% or so. It is mostly composed of a variety of different sugars.
The low water content is good in some ways. It creates an inhospitable environment for the growth of bacteria and other pathogens. It has been used for centuries as a dressing for wounds. Research shows that use is valid.
Some varieties have a high degree of antibacterial activity. One in particular, which is only found in New Zealand, also has a high degree of antioxidant activity. The variety is known as Manuka, because the source of the pollen is a flowering shrub by that same name.
You can’t use manuka honey as moisturizer, either, but it can be added to other moisturizing ingredients. The primary purpose is to help heal blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. Because of its antioxidant activity, it has anti-aging qualities, too.
It is particularly beneficial for use under the eyes and is an ingredient in some of the better eye gels. When combined with ingredients like chrysin, an antioxidant found in blue passion flower, manuka gels help to reduce bags, dark circles and under eye wrinkles.
Only some manuka honeys have medicinal value. The ones that do are referred to as “active” and they are said to have a “unique manuka factor” or UMF. A UMF rating is given to the active varieties. It must have a rating of at least five, in order to be considered for medicinal purposes, including its inclusion in antibacterial skincare products.
If you find a company that promotes honey as moisturizer, the claims are not justified. There are many wonderful natural moisturizers including grape seed oil, Shea butter, avocado, macadamia, jojoba and olive oils.
Some of the best anti-aging body lotions contain a number of those different oils. Shea butter and avocado are excellent choices for night creams. Macadamia is too “luxurious” for anything more than occasional use. But, for a deeply moisturizing effect, nothing beats it.
Natural ingredients are always the best choice, particularly nourishing ones. The skin’s cells need the same things that are needed by the rest of the body. They need vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein and essential fatty acids. The moisturizing oils mentioned above provide many of those things.
Although traditional healers used it for many things, they never recommended honey as moisturizer. If their skin felt dry, they would want to use something that made it feel lubricated. They would have used the plant-based oils available to them.
Misunderstandings concerning natural remedies for the skin’s health are common, as are suggestions for healing the rest of the body. It is simply a matter of spreading the wrong word.
While I would recommend any anti-aging product that contained active manuka, I would never recommend honey as moisturizer. Now that you know the final word on the subject, you can help spread the truth.
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Laurel is a long time user and passionate advocate of natural skin care products. Visit her site now to discover cutting edge, anti-aging skin care products she recommends after extensive research: http://www.beautiful-skin-site.com.
