The use of honey in cosmetology. Cleansing face mask with honey, as well as recipes for wrinkles, acne and the skin around the eyes

The effect of honey on the skin

Since ancient times, people have used this healthy treat as a cosmetic product. Queen Cleopatra, famous for her beauty, used it to care for her face and body. Today, women also use this sweet product to combat age-related skin problems.

Honey has a rich chemical composition:

organic acids (acetic, formic, benzoic);
amino acids;
carbohydrates;
vitamins (A, C, E, group B);
minerals (calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper);
phytoncides;
fats;
lipids.

Due to the large number of beneficial components, honey has a beneficial effect on the skin:

accelerates regenerative processes, promoting the healing of small wounds;
activates blood flow, causing a natural blush;
dilates blood vessels, helping nutrients penetrate better;
speeds up metabolism;
cleanses the epidermis of dirt, fat, sebaceous plugs;
relieves irritation and inflammation, treats acne and acne;
eliminates sagging, gives skin firmness and elasticity;
smoothes facial and age wrinkles and prevents the appearance of new ones;
protects the epidermis from harmful external factors - hot sun, wind, frost;
normalizes fat balance, eliminates oily sheen;
destroys some types of microbes living on the surface of the skin;
fills the skin with moisture;
softens and nourishes;
evens out the tone of the face, removes dark circles under the eyes.

Skin and honey

When applied to the skin, honey in combination with additional ingredients restores the original properties of the skin, penetrating deep into the pores and nourishing the cells. A honey mask can be used for various purposes, for example:

For acne. Vitamin C has an anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect, stimulates the synthesis of fibers that provide elasticity to the skin. Zinc in honey inhibits bacteria and regulates sebum secretion. Polyphenols suppress oxidative processes in the skin, which prevents aging;
From wrinkles. In this case, vitamins A, E and H play a decisive role, which stimulate the production of elastin, improve its properties and prevent drying of the skin. In addition, medefolacin (a derivative of folic acid) contained in it is involved in the process of cell renewal;
For dry skin. These masks usually contain vegetable oils that nourish the skin and prevent it from drying out. In addition, B vitamins in honey stimulate metabolic processes, prevent moisture evaporation and improve blood circulation;
For oily skin. Honey contains substances responsible for the intensity of functioning of the sebaceous glands of the skin: organic acids, proteins, phytoestrogens, glucose and fructose;
For skin rejuvenation. In this process, the main role is played by natural antioxidants: vitamins C, E, A. In addition, honey contains dextrins (natural glue), which prevent the appearance of deep folds and wrinkles on the skin.

Important! The use of honey for the face as part of masks, when used regularly with the addition of various components, allows you to obtain the result of a targeted effect on the skin.

Honey with resin useful properties

Many people know about the benefits of using honey and resin separately. When mixed, these two ingredients not only complement each other, they enhance their healing effect.

Honey with oleoresin beneficial properties:

strengthens the immune system, activates the body's protective functions;
effectively fights viruses, bacteria, fungi;
has a beneficial effect on the nervous system;
has an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect;
strengthens the cardiovascular system;
normalizes blood pressure;
improves blood composition;
thins and removes mucus from the lungs;
restores intestinal microflora;
stimulates metabolism;
slows down the development of cancer cells;
promotes the elimination of toxins;
treats joints;
normalizes sleep;
improves memory;
is an aphrodisiac;
rejuvenates the skin.

Cream honey with resin has similar properties; children like it and can be more convenient to use.

Rules for an effective honey face mask

To ensure that the mask reveals its full potential and has full effect on the skin, follow some recommendations.

Examination. First find out your reaction to this product. Although it is unique, it is very allergenic. Use the good old method of applying the prepared mask mixture to your wrist. After 15 minutes, your skin will either reject it, showing redness and irritation, or “reciprocate.”
Temperature. The components of honey are very sensitive and withstand the pressure of a maximum of 80°C. Therefore, use a water bath to achieve a liquid state and monitor the heat.
Preparing the mask. Prepare the mixture immediately before the procedure. Freshness of products is the key to success.
Preparation. Steam your face so that the beneficial substances quickly convey their richness to your cells.
Choice of recipe. Remember that what pleases oily skin can harm dry skin. Carefully select additional mask ingredients.
Textile. The liquid consistency will not scare you if you prepare a gauze napkin. Dip it into the mixture and spread it over your face. This way all the drops will be absorbed into the skin and not fall on the floor.

The stickiness of honey will play a cruel joke if you do not remove hair from your face during the procedure. To prevent them from interfering, you can use a hat or scarf.

How to choose a quality product

Buying real high-quality honey today, paradoxically, when it is available in almost every store, is not so easy. Experienced fans of honey therapy strongly recommend buying honey only from trusted suppliers and be sure to require documents of conformity for the product. This is especially true for honey for cosmetic purposes, because sugar syrup will not be of any use in this matter.

But what should residents of megacities who do not have the opportunity to buy honey directly from an apiary do?

Well, firstly, don’t despair - there is real honey on store shelves, you just need to take a more serious approach to choosing it in order to distinguish honey from sugar syrup with the addition of honey, or an outright chemical counterfeit, where there is no honey at all.

Secondly, when choosing honey you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

Color. A natural product may not be completely transparent, and its color can vary from light yellow to amber. In the case of cosmetology, recommendations for choosing a specific honey are not important.
Consistency. It should be uniform. Honey should flow from a wooden stick in a continuous stream and be laid out like a snake-like ribbon, remaining on the surface for some time. If the honey is already candied (and this is what is usually used in cosmetology), its crystals should be approximately the same in size and shape.
No foam or air bubbles in the jar.

A great way to test the quality of honey is to use iodine. A drop of iodine in a natural product does not change color. Remember, only natural honey will bring maximum benefits.

Anti-greasy mixtures

Honey normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands and helps pores open, so it is the main ingredient as a basis for eliminating oily sheen.

Lemon mask

After washing your face with warm water after the procedure, you will feel your skin soften and refreshed.

To make the mixture thick enough, take honey and squeezed lemon juice in proportion.
Apply to face using tapping movements, relax and leave to absorb for 20 minutes.

With added nutmeg

Nutmeg was also used in ancient cosmetology as a healing agent that improves complexion and relieves the effects of acne.

You will need a large spoon of liquid honey. Use only a water bath for heating. And remember that the temperature should not be more than 80°C.
Mix a teaspoon of chopped nutmeg thoroughly with the main ingredient.
Spread the resulting paste with an incomparable smell on your face and relax for 20 minutes.

Honey cinnamon

Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, cinnamon is good for more than just apple pie. The result of this procedure will be renewed, clean skin.

Add cinnamon to honey, maintaining a volume ratio of 2:1.
The procedure lasts, as in the previous recipe, 20 minutes.

Curd mixture

It is best to make cottage cheese yourself or choose a good farm cottage cheese. Then the velvety skin will please you immediately.

If the bee present has thickened, melt it in a water bath.
Dissolve a small spoon of honey in a large spoon of milk at room temperature.
Add a tablespoon of cottage cheese and stir until no grains remain.
Apply the mask, turn on some pleasant music and wait 20 minutes.

Who is contraindicated in honey with resin?

You need to consume honey and cream honey with resin, like any other medicinal products, in moderation. Nutritionists do not recommend eating more than 3-4 spoons of this delicacy per day.

Contraindications:

Excess weight. Honey with resin is high in calories. Therefore, it can be used for weight loss only after consulting a doctor.
Diabetes. Many components of cedar nectar are useful for this disease, but due to the high sugar content, a doctor’s permission is required.
Allergy. Both components can cause a reaction, so honey with resin should be introduced into food gradually, monitoring your condition.
Childhood. Despite the obvious benefits of the product, before introducing cedar honey into a child’s diet, it is better to consult a pediatrician.

How does honey work against wrinkles on the face?

The effect of honey is due to its beneficial components. The product is a real means to preserve youth and health.

Natural honey contains the following components:

water (15-25%);
carbohydrates;
trace elements and vitamins (potassium, phosphorus, calcium, chlorine, sulfur, magnesium, iron, copper, iodine, manganese and many others);
vitamins (B, C);
protein;
amino acids;
enzymes (lipase, catalase, amylase and invertase);
acids (lactic, citric, malic, gluconic, succinic, oleic and others);
alkaloids;
caffeine;
quinine;
morphine;
essential oils;
phytoncides;
antimicrobial compounds.

Thanks to such a valuable composition, honey has the ability to rejuvenate the skin. The effect of a honey mask is expressed in the following points:

activation of the metabolic process;
nourishing the skin with beneficial vitamins and minerals;
cleansing;
stimulation of blood flow;

The main cause of skin aging is loss of moisture. Honey is able to hold it, without making breathing difficult.

Features of the composition and benefits of the product

We owe the appearance of honey to bees, who painstakingly create a whole arsenal of useful vitamins (A, B, K, PP, H), enzymes (over 15 important enzymes), organic amino acids (about 27), minerals and hormones. This list can be continued for a long time, because the nutritional value and usefulness of the product are simply enormous.

We can talk for hours about the benefits and effectiveness of honey cosmetics for the skin, but let’s highlight the main ones:

richly tones the skin;
the action of honey is directed to all layers of the epidermis;
prevents tissue dryness, cell dehydration, slowing down their aging;
stimulates the renewal of epithelial cells, activates the regenerative function;
tightens the skin, eliminates wrinkles around the eyes, facial and age folds;
stabilizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, evening out and refreshing the complexion;
enhances blood circulation and intracellular metabolic processes;
nourishes the skin at the cellular level with almost all vitamins and minerals;
An overdose of honey cosmetics is impossible for any type of skin.

Honey cosmetics are a rich storehouse of vitamins and nutrients, created exclusively by nature.

One cannot miss the fact that the honey product can be of several varieties, depending on the sources (pollen or plant sap liquid); it can be floral or honeydew; on the number of types of flowers, mono- and polyfloral (floral).

The best honey variations are sweet clover (royal), chestnut, buckwheat and flower honey, but for cosmetic purposes any honey except artificial honey is suitable.

The benefits of honey for wrinkles around the eyes

At the first manifestations of age-related changes, in particular, wrinkles in the eye area, honey is a great help. It is used in its pure form, making a light massage or in combination with other components in the form of a variety of masks.

The beneficial properties of the honey procedure are as follows:

penetrating inside the skin, the product has a valuable internal effect;
cleansing;
saturation with useful vitamins and microelements;
tones;
the elasticity and firmness of the skin increases.

Rules for using honey for the skin around the eyes

Before carrying out the procedure, you should make sure that there are no contraindications for use. Many people may be allergic to the product. To detect it, you need to apply a small portion on your wrist. After a quarter of an hour, if there is an allergic reaction, irritation, itching, redness or other skin lesions appear. In this case, using a honey mask is not recommended, as this will lead to even more trouble.

In addition, it is very important that the product is of high quality and fresh. The product should be applied to the face with gentle massaging movements. No pressing or rubbing. To achieve maximum effect, it is better to use a foam sponge or brush.

In addition to the correct actions, special attention should be paid to the regularity of use of the product. Experts recommend repeating the mask daily for 14-21 days. Then give the skin a rest for 14 days. The effect will be visible after the first course.

Acne masks with honey

A mandatory component of such masks (in addition to honey) is an antiseptic or drying product:

Mask with honey and potatoes.

Add honey (1 tsp) and 3-5 drops of lemon juice to a gruel of grated potatoes (1 medium-sized piece). After application to the skin of the face, the resulting composition is kept until it dries;

Honey masks with lemon and aspirin.

A powdered aspirin tablet is mixed with honey (1 tbsp) and lemon juice (1 tsp). After application to the face, leave for no more than 20 minutes. After removing the composition, blot the skin with a napkin with warm water and lubricate it with a nourishing cream;

Mask with calendula.

This composition is more likely not a mask, but a rubbing: stir 1 tsp in 100 ml of boiled water. natural honey and calendula tincture. Wipe the skin with the resulting solution in the morning and evening;

Bran masks for the face.

Wheat bran (1 tbsp) and the juice of 1/2 lemon are added to slightly warmed honey (2 tablespoons). The resulting composition is kept on the face for about 0.5 hours. In addition to the refreshing and brightening effect, this mask has a regenerating effect on the skin;

Mask with honey and apple cider vinegar.

Add egg yolk and honey (1 tsp) to apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp). You can also add sour cream (1 tbsp) to this recipe to soften the effect. The maximum time for a mask is 20 minutes. , then wash off the composition with warm water.

Important! Persons with thin and slightly flaky skin should strictly adhere to the dosage and duration of the procedure, and after completion, use a nourishing cream.

How to do it correctly at home

It is recommended from time to time to change honey face masks to identical ones in composition, but from a different manufacturer. This will help you not only choose the best, but also prevent your skin from getting used to the product. The same should be done with other cosmetic products: creams, lotions, shampoos, balms, etc.
Pay attention to the technique of applying not only masks, but also creams: a lot depends on how you apply cosmetics to your face. Often the cause of early wrinkles is the incorrect application of the cream! Professional cosmetologists are guided by the following rules: in order to prevent skin stretching, it is recommended to apply the cream with light pressing, tapping movements directed in accordance with the massage lines of the face.
Before applying to the skin of the face, the cream should be rubbed between the palm surfaces of the fingers.

Applying a thick layer of cream is harmful to the skin, as it does not breathe, becomes sluggish, and redness and swelling may occur.
Areas of increased hair growth (upper lip, chin) are not lubricated with nourishing cream.
In the area of the forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip and chin, both pressing and tapping movements are used. In this case, contact with the skin of the entire surface of the palm and fingers will be more pleasant and more correct. The hands should be completely relaxed and gently clasp the face.
It is recommended to use only light pressing movements around the eyes.
In the chin area, tapping is used with the back of the hands in the direction from the midline to the ears. Each tapping movement when applying the cream should be done with a wave of a relaxed hand.
You need to apply the cream 30 - 40 minutes before leaving the house in the morning and before going to bed in the evening. During this time, the cream has time to be absorbed into the skin.
After 30 - 40 minutes, the remaining cream should be removed with a cotton swab soaked in tea, acidified or salted water, which helps tighten the pores. After this, warm your face with a warm, damp towel.

Masks for dry and (or) aging skin

As a rule, such masks, in addition to the honey component, include a nourishing and moisturizing product:

Egg mask.

To prepare the composition, beat an egg and add honey to it (no more than 1 tsp). The mixture is thoroughly mixed and applied to the skin with light movements. The duration of the procedure is from 20 to 30 minutes. It is recommended to treat the skin in the neck and décolleté area with this composition;

Honey mask with yolk.

In this case, to 1 tsp. Only the yolk is added to the honey. Thus, the nutritional value of the composition increases. The procedure is the same as in the previous procedure;

Apple mask with honey.

A medium-sized apple is peeled and grated. Add honey (1 tsp), then apply to the face for about 20 minutes. , excluding the eye area. The mask has an excellent tonic and refreshing effect.

Useful tips and recommendations from cosmetologists

Honey cosmetics are recommended by dermatologists and cosmetologists everywhere. Since the use of natural materials in cosmetology is gaining momentum, experts give advice on the correct choice and use of a honey product:
Choose fresh, high-quality honey. Many cases involving counterfeit products have been recorded; it is advisable to buy it from a trusted beekeeper.
Choose recipes that suit your skin type, since some components included in honey masks can adversely affect your face if the composition is chosen incorrectly
Use the prepared mixtures regularly to achieve the truly desired result.
For any procedures, the skin must be thoroughly prepared, namely, pre-cleaned. This will significantly enhance the effect of the amber remedy.

Homemade facial scrub.

Mix one tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of freshly ground almonds in a coffee grinder and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Almonds can be replaced with fine table or sea salt. Granulated sugar, either regular or brown, will also work. If your skin is tender and sensitive, use ground oatmeal and replace lemon juice with milk.

Use as a regular scrub, or apply to the face, massage along the massage lines for 1-2 minutes and leave as a mask for 10-15 minutes, then rinse, massaging the skin again. It is useful to massage the whole body with a mixture of honey and salt, for example, in a bath, at least once every 2 weeks.

Massage product

Honey massage is an effective method of body shaping and combating cellulite. It smoothes the skin, helps remove extra centimeters from problem areas, and cleanses the body of toxins and cell waste products.

Apply 2 teaspoons of honey to your thighs and buttocks, place clean, dry hands on the honey-covered skin, and then remove them. With each repetition, you will feel that it becomes more and more difficult to lift your hands. A vacuum effect is obtained, due to which subcutaneous fat deposits are destroyed. This massage improves blood circulation in the subcutaneous fat and muscles and accelerates lymphatic drainage. Continue doing this for 5-10 minutes. Honey will begin to turn white under your hands - it absorbs exfoliated skin flakes, sweat, and sebum. After the massage, rinse off the remaining honey with warm water and apply moisturizing milk or anti-cellulite cream to the skin.

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Essential oils of lavender, lemon, orange, neroli (5 drops per 2 teaspoons of honey, mix well) will help make honey massage even more effective.

Nourishing face cream: milk and honey

Milk is a natural product that perfectly nourishes the skin, moisturizing it. For the mixture, thoroughly beat 2 tbsp. l. honey with 2 tbsp. l. milk to a creamy, homogeneous soft consistency.

The honey cream is spread on a clean, washed face and left for ten or fifteen minutes. Then you need to wash off the mask with a soft cloth soaked in chamomile infusion. After rinsing, do not dry yourself with a towel, you can only lightly touch yourself with it. If you have dilated blood vessels on your skin, then this procedure is contraindicated.

Clay with honey for face

There are many types of clay that can be selected for the desired effect based on your skin type. So, for oily skin, white and green clay with a honey mixture are suitable. Method of use : take 1 tbsp. l. spoon of kaolin, dilute in clean water to a creamy consistency. Mix with 1 tsp. honey product, mix thoroughly, spread on the skin, let harden for up to 20 minutes until it dries completely and cracks form, rinse gently with water.

For dry clay, you need to choose gray clay, which is also diluted with milk for nutritional value. The method of using honey is the same. For normal - blue clay with milk, or blue clay with cucumber. For rejuvenation, white clay with sour cream, lemon and honey mixture is suitable, which must be mixed in equal parts and applied in the same way as the previous ones.

Ice with honey for face

This mixture perfectly nourishes and cleanses the skin. Here it is better to use green tea ice cubes. To do this, dissolve 1 tablespoon of honey sweetness in 1 glass of warm tea leaves, then pour it into molds and freeze. Ice has rejuvenating properties, helping to tighten and improve elasticity.

Honey and castor oil for face

Castor oil or castor oil is a natural product that has a wide range of beneficial qualities. A mixture of castor oil and honey product is ideal for dry and combination skin. Castor oil - fights acne, pimples and skin aging.

Mixture recipe: take 2 tbsp. l. ground oatmeal, knead them with 2 tsp. melted honey mixture and 2 tsp. castor oil Mix well, spread and rinse after 20 minutes. For maximum effect, do the procedure 2 times a week to combat wrinkles and dryness.

Tips for choosing honey

Homemade cosmetic recipes are extremely demanding on ingredients. It is important to choose high-quality, natural ingredients. Often, unscrupulous sellers sell unnatural honey under the guise of a quality product of natural origin. It is quite easy to distinguish them.

Smell. The natural product smells like the flowers from which it is made. The aroma depends on the variety. Sugar does not have a specific odor.
Volume. 1 kg of pure natural product without adding water takes up a 0.8 liter container.
Consistency. When it drips, it quickly dissolves. Adding additional impurities will change the density of the product.
Taste. The absence of astringency is a sign of a fake.
A drop rubbed between your fingers will be slightly absorbed without forming lumps. The fake will roll into a sticky ball.
Freshness. The product collected in the summer season is liquid. Cold seasons will only land candied. Exceptions are the following varieties: rabbet (thickens in summer), acacia (liquid in autumn).

The quality of the product at home is checked by tests:

Pour honey over a small piece of white bread. Softening bread means poor product quality. Interacting with the fake bread will become tough.
Drop a small amount onto the paper. The fake will leave wet spots.
Mix honey with iodine. Blue color is a sign of the presence of starch.

Facial massage with honey

Massage treatments are suitable for all skin types. The mixture should be warm and should be applied in a thin layer so that it is well absorbed and dries.

Facial massage with honey begins from the chin, pressing with the pads of the fingers, holding them at the point of contact for several seconds, and then abruptly tearing them off. A white coating will form on your fingers, which indicates the removal of toxins; it needs to be washed off. You need to treat the entire face, then let the skin rest a little, then massage the face again for a few minutes, then wash with warm water. Immediately after the first procedure, the pores open, the complexion improves, wrinkles smooth out, and the rash disappears from the face.

Facial massage with honey after 40 years

Massage treatments in adulthood can rejuvenate the skin. It smooths out wrinkles, gives elasticity and a normal complexion. To improve the effect, after the massage you can apply a protective cream. To achieve maximum effect, you need to carry out 10 procedures, 2 per week. Massage procedures can be carried out after visiting baths and saunas, since honey is more active on steamed skin with open pores.

Alternative uses

Separately, it is worth highlighting the benefits of honey procedures used in hot temperatures (bath, sauna, steam room). Skin pores expand under the influence of hot temperatures, allowing beneficial elements to penetrate the epidermis as deeply as possible. High temperatures cause increased blood flow, accelerating the absorption of nutrients.

Correction of the figure is facilitated thanks to honey mixtures, which increase sweating together with the removal of harmful elements from the body.

Carrying out bath procedures, combining a broom and homemade cosmetics, will help remove the “orange peel” effect and tighten the skin. A honey-oil solution will increase the relaxing effect of a restorative massage.

Honey face mask: contraindications

If you want to use a variety of recipes for honey masks, you need to familiarize yourself with the list of conditions when their action can cause harm instead of benefit:

Allergic reaction. A common occurrence for people prone to allergies. Before use, you should apply a little honey to the skin of the inside of your wrist and see the reaction after 30 minutes. ;
Spider veins. A condition when the active substances of honey can aggravate the situation;
Diabetes. Even external use of a product containing fructose can change sugar levels, so it is not recommended to use honey on the face for people with diabetes or if the functionality of the pancreas is impaired;
Bronchial asthma. Processes in asthma contribute to the retention of carbohydrate compounds in the body, so even external use of honey is not recommended;
Excessive hair growth. The high content of biologically active substances in honey stimulates the work of hair follicles, so the vegetation on the skin will become thicker.

Important! Of course, contraindications must be taken into account, but face masks with honey are extremely useful and effective in the vast majority of cases.

Indications for use and side effects

The rich composition of honey cosmetics can save you from many facial problems for a long time:

dryness, flaking of the skin or, conversely, increased oiliness;
withering, loss of elasticity of epidermal tissues and blurring of contours;
wrinkles, uneven surface of the face, puffiness and bags under the eyes;
acne, redness and increased irritability of the skin;
spring vitamin deficiency, lack of useful elements in the cells, as a result, dullness, dullness of the face.

Even the complete naturalness of honey cannot protect some categories of people from side effects. These are primarily women with individual intolerance to bee products, patients with rosacea, herpes, bronchial asthma, diabetes or diathesis.