12 amazing beauty benefits of honey

Honey's often thought of as a healthier sweetener, but you might be surprised to learn that this ingredient has tons of skin and hair benefits, too. Honey can help moisturize, fight aging, and fight bacteria; plus, it’s loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and healing compounds.

Next time you’re browsing the grocery store shelves, look for raw honey, which hasn't been heat-treated or pasteurized; it contains more active phytonutrient antioxidants and enzymes for enhanced benefits.

Here are a few ways to put the ingredient to use (sometimes with the help of some other natural ingredients).

Acne: Honey’s anti-bacterial properties make it an excellent cleanser for Acne. Apply some raw honey to the affected area and rinse off after 10-15 minutes. Scars: Honey has a bleaching effect so regular use of honey on the affected area can dramatically fade old or new scars.

Moisturizer: Honey is very soothing, hydrating and moisturizing. Use raw honey as facial mask or use it for any DIY facial mask recipes to reap its benefits.

Hair Conditioner: Honey’s moisturizing and softening properties make it a wonderful hair conditioner. It also gives shine to dull hair. Mix 1 Tablespoon raw honey with 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil and use your hands to evenly disperse the mixture throughout your hair. Rinse off after 20-30 minutes.

Hair Lightener: Honey has a natural bleaching effect and this makes it an effective hair lightener. Mix 1 tablespoon raw honey with 6 tablespoons distilled water and apply it to your hair. Rinse off after 1 hour. Do this weekly for better results. You can add 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder if you are looking for a dramatic result.

Hair Removal: Honey when combined with lemon juice and sugar helps remove excess body hair. Mix 1 tablespoon raw honey with 3 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Boil the mixture in the microwave until it bubbles and turns brown. Let it cool. With the help of Popsicle stick apply to your skin. Put a cotton strip over the area where the mixture was applied and rub it until you feel it warm as the mixture sticks to the hair. Gently pull the cotton against the direction of hair growth.

Anti-Aging: Honey is rich in antioxidants so a tablespoon of honey a day keeps free radicals at bay. Delay the aging process by making honey a part of your healthy diet. You can also smear some honey on your face to get rid of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Lip Scrub: Honey makes a wonderful lip scrub. So if you want soft and smooth lips, mix 1 tablespoon raw honey with 1 teaspoon brown sugar and a few drops of lemon juice and apply to your lips. Gently exfoliate after 5 minutes.

Nail Conditioner: Honey strengthens your nails and softens your cuticles. Mix a teaspoon of raw honey with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and apply to your nails and cuticles. Rinse off after 10 minutes.

Razor Bump: Honey prevents bumps and boils caused by shaving. Apply some raw honey immediately after shaving and rinse off after 10-15 minutes.

Dark Circles: Honey fades dark circles when applied topically. Take a teaspoon of raw honey and apply to the affected area and rinse off after 20 minutes. Do this twice a week until your dark circles fade. You can also mix equal parts honey and sweet almond oil, apply to the affected area and rinse off after 10-15 minutes for better results.

Eczema: Honey’s anti-inflammatory properties help calm eczema, rosacea and psoriasis prone skin. Apply some raw honey to the affected area and rinse off after 20 minutes.