Recession Approved Beauty: Try Honey!

I love honey in my tea as much as the next gal, but being the beauty wizard that I am (kidding, kidding), I know that honey is just as useful in the cupboard as it is in the medicine cabinet!  If you’ve ever tried a DIY beauty recipe, you’ve probably used honey in an unconventional way – on your face or in your hair, instead of in your mouth!

Honey is a natural age-fighter, due in part to its natural healing ingredient, an enzyme called glucose oxidase.  When glucose oxidase is combined with water, it produces hydrogen peroxide – which is a mild antiseptic.  Honey also contains antioxidants and flavonoids that can function as natural antibacterial agents.  And of course, honey is a great moisturizer!  It’s a humectant, which means that it’s able to attract and retain moisture, rebuilding the moisture level in skin without creating oil.  Plus, honey is also calming for irritated skin.

While attending BlogHer 2010, I met some friendly folks who work for the National Honey Board.  They were excited to find out that I’m a beauty blogger, and had some info just for me – beauty recipes that make honey fashionable.  A few of my favorite recipes are featured below; if you have your own fun way to use honey in your primping routine, please feel free to share in the comments!

Zesty Lemon Honey Mask

This Zesty Lemon Honey Mask can help manage breakouts while keeping your skin moisturized.  And proper moisture can help keep early signs of aging – like wrinkles – away.

3 tbs powdered Bentonite or Kaolin clay*

3 tbs green or white tea, brewed

1/2 cup honey

1/4 tsp powdered Lemon Balm herb* (optional)

3 drops Bergamot essential oil* (optional)

2 drops Rosemary essential oil* (optional)

1 drop Lavender essential oil* (optional)

*Items are available in most health food stores, herb stores, or can be ordered online

In a glass or rubber bowl, mix powdered clay and tea until creamy.  Mix in Lemon Balm and honey until completely blended.  Slowly stir in Bergamot, Rosemary and Lavender essential oils until all ingredients are combined into a thick, creamy texture.  It may be necessary to add more powdered clay.

Store in covered container away from direct sunlight or heat for up to one week.

TO USE:

Apply with clean fingertips to clean skin.  Leave on for 10 minutes or until dry.  Leave on for 10 minutes or until dry.  Remove in short “rolling’ motion until completely removed from skin.  Rinse well and apply appropriate moisturizer.

The Fashionable Gal Says… Usually, I like to make beauty recipes with really basic ingredients.  I’m making an exception for this recipe because it sounds like it smells amazing and will have fab skin benefits.  It might be a bit pricier to get all of the ingredients together, so I suggest making it with a few girlfriends, or commit to using the mask once a week so that you don’t splurge and then let the items waste away in your cabinet.

Sweetheart’s Chocolate Honey Scrub

Potential Benefits:  Aids in exfoliation while honey helps moisturize.

2 cups honey

1/2 cup grapeseed oil

6 tbsp unsweetened chocolate, grated*

2 cups kosher salt

*Can substitute with dry cocoa powder

In rubber mixing bowl, combine honey and grapeseed oil.  Stir in chocolate and salt, mixing completely.  Consistency should be grainy and thick.  Apply scrub to skin and gently massage all over the body.  Remove with warm damp towels or rinse in shower.  Store covered in refrigerator for up to one week.  Makes 2 treatments.

The Fashionable Gal says… This is so simple and sounds like it will both feel and smell amazing.  The ingredients are easier to acquire, and you probably already have at least one of them at home.  Whether you’re doing this alone or with a, er, friend – this scrub is gonna be fun!

Thanks to the National Honey Board for sharing these recipes!  Stay tuned for a few more faves later this week and next!