As a natural beauty potion that dates back to more than 4000 years, honey is recognised by skin experts worldwide as an effective way to beautify the skin. It is loaded with antioxidants and has antibacterial as well as skin-healing properties, and is also known to help keep bacterial and fungal infections away. It’s no wonder that honey is a favourite active ingredient in countless skincare products today! Did you know however that you can enjoy its benefits, in its pure form, at home?

Here are a few DIY procedures involving the use of pure honey, which will help give you that lovely, heart-stopping glow!

BRIGHTEN UP AN OVER-TANNED COMPLEXION: TEAM UP WITH TOMATO JUICE OR A HALVED LEMON!
By mixing a teaspoon of raw honey with the juice of one small tomato, you’ll have a remedy for reducing the effects of over-tanning and brighten your skin in one go! Try massaging the mixture into the skin for a minute or two before rinsing it off with cool water. Another way to get the same result is by applying a teaspoon of raw honey onto a halved lemon and rubbing it all over the affected area, till you have a mixture of lemon juice, lemon sacs and honey all over it. Let it sit for five minute and rinse off with cool water. Either way you choose to go, finish it off with a good moisturiser.

MAKE YOUR OWN: NATURAL EXFOLIATOR
Yes, we’ve all seen rows and rows of skin exfoliators in the pharmacies and beauty stores, and we’re not saying they won’t do a good job, but if you had to choose between a natural product and an artificial one, which would you pick? We’re guessing it’s going to be the latter! Honey happens to be a brilliant way to exfoliate away dead skin cells, leaving behind a simply brighter complexion. Here’s what you’ll need to do: Mix a tablespoon of honey with one tablespoon of baking soda until it becomes a paste. Splash your skin with water, and then gently rub the paste on your face and neck in a circular motion. Rinse and splash with cool water to finish it off, followed by the rest of your beauty regime, i.e. toning, moisturising, etc. Your complexion will be seeing brighter, smoother days ahead, that’s for sure.

HYDRATE YOUR SKIN LIKE NEVER BEFORE: RAW HONEY MASK
All you need is a tablespoon of pure, raw honey to deeply hydrate your skin and quench its thirst for moisture! Use your finger to spread it evenly all over your face and neck, and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Rinse it off with room temperature water, followed by a splash of cool water to close off your pores. You can proceed with your toning and moisturising after that. Do this at least twice a week for best results!

TEAM UP WITH ALOE AND… TAME A SUNBURN
Here’s a fact: Honey has been known throughout the centuries as a natural way to treat burns, for it has properties that fight inflammation and promotes faster healing. Apart from that, it also effectively calms damaged tissues and prep them up for natural healing. Hence, it’s as a remedy for sunburns, or for after-sun use in general.

For using honey on sunburns: Mix one part raw honey with two parts pure aloe vera gel (scraped from a fresh leaf). Apply onto the affected area, and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse off clean with cool water, and finish off with a good skin lotion to seal in the moisture. Repeat the procedure again the next day if necessary.

LIGHTEN UNSIGHTLY SCARS: PAIR UP WITH OLIVE OIL
As basic as it is as an ingredient, honey hides a whole lot of skin-beautifying powers in its natural makeup which are all just ready to do their magic on your skin! . It is an effective moisturiser as well as a natural antiseptic which keeps your skin soft and healthy. It is also naturally anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants – a helpful combination when you are trying to deal with unsightly scars. Try this: Mix one teaspoon of raw honey with one teaspoon of good quality olive oil and massage onto the affected area using your fingertips. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off. Moisturise if needed. You can do this up to three times a week if you are serious about dealing with unwanted scars.