What is this Secret Face Wash? ...Honey.
Raw organic honey. This yummy treat is also good for your skin. It has many surprising properties.
1. Honey is Hygroscopic
Honey has a hygroscopic nature, which means when exposed to air, it
naturally absorbs moisture in from the air. In treating open wounds,
honey is useful as it could help prevent scarring by keeping the skin
moist, encourage the growth of new tissues, and allow easy removal of
any dressing by preventing dressing from becoming stuck to the skin.
Honey's hygroscopic properties also make it an
ideal ingredient in a lot of cosmetics
as it helps keep skin hydrated and fresh and prevents drying. Thus, some
people call honey a natural "humectant" as it attracts and retains
moisture. When used in skin and hair treatments, honey trap and seal in
the moisture leaving skin soft and supple, and hair glossy and healthy.
2. Honey is Antibacterial
Researchers began to document the healing properties of honey in the
early part of the 20th century. This ceased with the development of
antibiotics but recently the development of resistance to antibiotics
has led to a resurgence of interest into the healing properties of
honey. The effective
antimicrobial agent in honey prohibits the growth of certain bacteria. It contains an enzyme
that produces hydrogen peroxide which is believed to be the main reason
for the antimicrobial activity of honey. As such, honey is a useful
treatment for wounds and scalds. Cuts, abrasions and scalds can be
covered in honey to prevent bacteria from entering the wound and promote
healing.
Honey can help treat minor
acne
by attacking the bacteria that cause the outbreaks while moisturizing
the skin to aid rejuvenation. Types of honey differ greatly in their
antimicrobial potency, varying as much as a hundred fold. Honey derived
from the
Manuka bush, found in abundance in New Zealand, claims the highest potency of such antimicrobial properties.
3. Honey is a Source of Antioxidants
Honey contains natural
antioxidant
properties that can destroy biologically destructive chemical agents
which have been linked to many diseases such as cancer. Studies also
found that dark-color honeys such as
Buckwheat
seem to possess more antioxidants than light-color varieties. Not only
could honey's antioxidants help to eliminate free radicals in the body,
they are also part of the nutrient supply for growth of new tissue.
These precious honey properties help protect the skin under the sun and
help the skin to rejuvenate and stay young-looking. As such, there have
been an increasing number of manufacturers of
honey skincare products such as sunscreens and facial cleansing products for treating damaged or dry skin.
No comments:
Post a Comment