There are countless solutions to dry skin troubles, but did you know that the best of all is lying right there on your kitchen shelf? Honey has several beneficial properties that make it an effective skin moisturizer. You can either apply it directly or mix it in with other ingredients to increase their effectiveness. Read on to learn 12 different DIY ways to fight dry skin with honey.
Why use honey to fight dryness?
Dry skin loves honey for many reasons, one of them being that honey works as a humectant. That means it retains moisture, making the skin supple and plump.
Honey also has emollient properties – forming a protective layer on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping. Also, it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that protect the skin from external issues like bad bacteria and sun damage.
Honey is a great toner, cleanser, and exfoliator. It can be very useful in your skin care routine!
Plus, this ingredient has antioxidant properties that fight free radical damage to repair and heal the skin. Now it’s clear why honey is an excellent option for those looking for help with dry patches.
What kind of honey to use?
Raw, unadulterated honey is the best for the skin. That’s because it’s full of nutrients that get filtered out in processed honey.
Another great option is manuka honey. This type has stronger antibacterial properties than regular honey.
12 honey recipes to relieve dry skin:
1. Milk-honey cleanser
This combination works effectively to clear up the pores and get rid of deep blackheads. Milk adds to honey’s cleansing and hydrating properties.
It contains active ingredients like lactic acid that removes dirt and dust from the pores making them less prone to whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. It also contains vitamins A, B6, D, and B12, calcium, and potassium that add nourishment to your cleansing routine.
DIY recipe:
Simply mix 2tbsp milk and 2tbsp honey and apply it to the face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing off thoroughly with warm water. Gently pat the face dry.
2. Coconut oil and honey cleanser for dry skin
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a fatty acid that has cleansing properties. Coconut oil has been used traditionally for oil cleansing for generations. Together with honey’s hydrating and antibacterial properties, it makes for an ideal cleanser for dry skin.
DIY recipe:
Take 1tbsp of honey and 3/4tbsp of coconut oil. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil and mix well.
Apply this mix on the skin as a thin layer and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wipe off gently with a warm washcloth and rinse.
3. Jojoba oil-honey-turmeric cleanser
The unique thing about jojoba oil is that its chemical composition is very similar to that of sebum, the natural oil our body produces. Together with the antibacterial and skin brightening properties of turmeric and the hydrating properties of honey, this mix is a great oil-cleanse option for those with dry skin.
DIY recipe:
Mix 1tsp of honey, 1tsp of jojoba oil, and 1tsp of turmeric to get a cream-like consistency. Apply this mixture on the face, leave it on for 20 minutes, and rinse with warm water.
4. Honey-glycerin-lemon juice face pack
Use this face pack if you’re looking for a brighter appearance with a dewy look and moisturized feel. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent and contains vitamin C that fades scars and adds a radiant glow to the face.
Glycerin has humectant properties that together with honey, deeply moisturize your dry skin. It’s no wonder that glycerin is commonly found in many hair and skin care products, including makeup remover and shampoo.
DIY recipe:
Take 1tbsp of honey, 1/2tsp glycerin, and 1tsp lemon juice. Mix well and apply the mix to the face. Leave it on till the mask dries and rinse with cool water.
5. Honey-banana mask
Honey contains vitamin A that smoothes out the parched texture of dry skin and moisturizes it. Honey and banana make a simple yet powerful combination to attack dryness. The homemade mixture can make the skin supple and soft.
DIY recipe:
Take one ripe banana and mash it. Mix in 1tbsp honey and apply this mix on the skin. Leave it on till it dries, then rinse with cool water.
6. Aloe-honey mask
Aloe gently moisturizes and nourishes dry skin. It can be especially useful for those who have sensitive skin.
DIY recipe:
Scoop out 1tsp of fresh gel from an aloe stem. Mix in 2tsp honey and apply it to the face. Leave it on till it dries. Finally, rinse completely.
7. Rosewater with honey for dry skin relief
Rosewater is a mild astringent that is great for dry skin. It tightens pores to give the skin an even tone.
While honey adds moisture to the skin, rosewater increases its water retention. Both rosewater and honey have anti-inflammatory properties that calm the skin.
DIY recipe:
Mix 2tbsp of rose water with 2tbsp of honey. With a soft cotton ball, dab this mix on the skin.
8. Chamomile-honey toner
Dry skin often tends to get sensitive. Chamomile helps calm redness and inflammation, while honey moisturizes and protects the skin from bad bacteria in the air.
DIY recipe:
Soak a bag of chamomile tea in boiling water and leave it for 20 minutes. Mix in 4tbsp of apple cider vinegar and 2tsp of honey. Dab this mix generously on the skin after cleansing and then moisturize. Store the rest of the mix in a spray bottle for future use.
9. Lavender and honey toner for dry skin issues
Another excellent way to calm dry, itchy skin is to use lavender essential oil in combination with apple cider vinegar and honey. ACV regulates the pH of the skin and soothes it.
DIY recipe:
Take 2tbsp ACV and dilute it with 2tbsp water. Add 2tsp of honey and 4-5 drops of lavender oil. Mix well and transfer the mix to a spray bottle. Take a few pumps on your palm and gently press it on the skin to tone it.
10. Honey-olive oil lotion
This simple mixture works well in winter when the skin, especially that of the hands and legs, needs some extra moisturizing. Olive oil contains moisturizing fatty acids while honey helps the skin retain that moisture.
DIY recipe:
Mix 1tsp honey with 1tsp olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this mix on the skin and leave it on for 20 minutes for the skin to absorb fully. Wipe off the excess with a warm washcloth to get rid of any greasiness.
11. Brown sugar-honey face scrub
The texture of brown sugar is just the right texture for gentle exfoliation, as compared to white sugar. Honey calms inflammation, protects and moisturizes the skin.
DIY recipe:
Mix 1tsp brown sugar and 1tsp honey. Apply this on the face and massage the skin gently in circular motions for about 3-4 minutes. Rinse.
12. Oatmeal-honey body scrub
This recipe works wonders for dry skin. Oatmeal gently sloughs off dead skin and calms any inflammations. Honey also has exfoliating properties that leave the pores clean and helps keep away acne.
DIY recipe:
Mix 2tbsp of ground oatmeal with 1tbsp of honey. Add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil. Apply this mix on the skin and gently massage for 3-4 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Summary of how to use honey for dry skin relief
Honey is a versatile ingredient! Not only does it add sweetness to food, but it also is great for skin care. Use the DIY recipes above to create a naturally moisturizing cleanser, face mask, toner, lotion, or exfoliator. Which one will you make today?
The nice thing about these homemade treatments is that they are commonly found in our kitchens and pantries. Thanks for the tips on combining these ingredients for the different uses.
Hmm, I wonder if one could use Maple Syrup in these recipes?
I’ll try a few, and get back to you!
Vegans would love the option.
Let me know if the maple syrup substitute works!
Will do!
💗
I think I will try the Rosewater and the oatmeal body scrub! These sound yummy, too!! 🥰