How about some honey?

for dryness

Moisture is the skin’s basic requirement. It keeps the skin soft, healthy and youthful. Skin loses moisture to the environment when humidity is low. Exposure to the sun over a period of time also lowers the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Even chlorinated water depletes moisture and causes dryness.

Habitual lack of moisture makes the skin dry and rough. This leaves it vulnerable to early ageing. Lines and wrinkles form easily on dry skin. Oily skins can also be short of moisture during the dry season.

But, why worry? In your home, right on the kitchen shelf, is one of the most powerful natural moisturisers — honey. It is a humectant and attracts moisture to the skin from the atmosphere. In fact, it is one of the most versatile natural products, which has numerous beneficial properties, whether it is taken internally, or used in external applications. It contains valuable vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium, potassium, sodium, amino acids and enzymes, as well as Vitamins B and C. It is a powerful antioxidant too. This increases its importance in skin care, in terms of delaying the visible signs of ageing on the skin.

All these properties of honey make it an ideal natural cosmetic ingredient. For one thing, it suits all skin types. It relieves dryness, even in extremely dry and dehydrated skins, making the skin soft and smooth. It nourishes the skin when externally applied. It also stimulates, tones and tightens the skin, giving it a fresh and radiant glow. Honey can be added to face masks, along with other ingredients.

If you have dry skin, apply honey daily and wash it off with plain water after 20 minutes. You can also mix honey with a few drops of orange juice. Apply this on the face for 20 minutes and wash off with water. It will make the skin soft and add a healthy glow.

For dry skin, you can mix half a teaspoon honey, one teaspoon rose water and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with water.

Add one-quarter cup of honey to your bath water to relieve dryness and soften the skin on the body.

For oily skin, mix honey with egg white and apply on the skin daily, washing it off after 20 minutes with plain water. Egg white has a cleansing effect, reducing oiliness, while honey will soften the skin and nourish it. If you have a combination skin, apply honey by itself on the entire face, as it would suit both oily and dry areas.

Honey can also be used on pimple-prone skins and even if there is a severe acne condition. In fact, people with acne often suffer from superficial dryness and flaking of the skin. Honey would be ideal for such conditions. Mix one teaspoon honey with multani mitti and apply on face. Yogurt can also be added. Wash it off after 20 minutes. It would relieve dryness and also soothe and nourish the skin. Both honey and yogurt have a
healing effect on acne.

Honey can be useful in face masks, for all skin types. Mix wheat bran (chokar) or oats with honey. Rose water can be also be added. Mix into a smooth paste and apply on face. Wash off when it is dry or after 20 minutes.

To one teaspoon kaolin powder, add one teaspoon honey, one teaspoon carrot juice or one teaspoon curd and one egg white (optional). Apply on the face and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off with water.