SKIN CARE!:: how Honey, honey heal my skin

IF I hadn’t known Lizzy for many years, I would not have believed it was her I met at a function earlier this week.Lizzy used to be a petite, fair-skinned 25-year-old back in those days. She had a good heart, a good head and a good mind. But her good points were marred by a terrible skin condition.
To say Lizzy had ugly skin would be an understatement. Her skin was horrible! Her face was as bad to look at as it was to touch. Her arms, legs and torso were worse. Every millimeter of her skin was full of white patches and dark, scaly rings.
Lizzy wasn’t born like that, but an allergic reaction as a teenager had triggered the skin condition. She consulted the best dermatologists, tried everything old and new, all to no avail. The scaly skin persisted, earning her the nickname “Lizard” even among close friends.
So it was a pleasant surprise to be confronted, almost one decade later, by the same Lizzy, now displaying a radiant, satin-smooth skin in place of the “signature” lizard-skin of old. She was utterly dazzling in a pale yellow short-sleeved dress that set off her perfectly glowing skin.


“How did I do it?” Lizzy asked the unspoken question on my mind.” The secret is honey,” she remarked pointedly. “Ordinary, natural honey; I eat it, drink it, bathe with it and rub it on my skin. And it worked like a charm. It’s amazing!”
The honey treatment began in June 2011. By January 2012, her scaly skin had smoothed out noticeably, although the patches remained. Although constantly worried the scales would come back, she healed much faster than expected.
“I wouldn’t have believed it myself if somebody had told me two years ago that people would be complimenting my skin. To be honest I would have laughed at their face. Then I probably would have cried and avoided the mirror for days. But thanks to honey, my worst nightmare is over.”
Lizzy’s story is not all that amazing because for thousands of years, honey has been recognised as one of the most natural home remedies to treat a wide range of ailments. Honey has been used as a natural in first aid treatment for wounds, burns and cuts as it is able to absorb moisture from the air and promote healing.
Its antibacterial properties prevent infection and functions as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing both swelling and pain, and even scarring. Here are the best honey-based home remedies for skin problems.
Anti-germicide
Raw honey is an ancient remedy for cuts, scrapes and burns due to its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Simply clean the area, dab on a small amount of raw honey, and wrap as normal. Change wrapping at least once daily until the area is healed.
Body scrub
Stir a couple pinches of ground nuts into a tablespoon of honey (adding a squirt of lemon juice). While the ground nuts exfoliate and the lemon juice brightens, the honey will moisturize for a smooth surface. You can also soften your skin by exfoliating with a mixture of raw honey, sugar and sweet almond oil. Store the mixture in a glass jar and use as needed.
Honey facial
Massage a teaspoon of raw honey into your face and let it sit for 10-30 minutes before rinsing with cool water. This simple honey mask can smooth your skin, fight wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce redness, and help with blemishes.
Mosturiser
Experiencing a rough patch? Mix equal parts olive oil and rub on dry skin. Leave for 10-20 minutes before rinsing the area for smooth (and staying) results.
Lip balm
Bring a little sweetness to your lips by combining one teaspoon of honey with 1/2 cups of natural grated beeswax. Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil, two drops of vitamin E oil and 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Blend into a creamy paste. Store in a large container with lid.
Depilatory wax
Combine two teaspoons of brown sugar, one teaspoon of honey and 2-3 teaspoons of water in a microwavable container, heat in the microwave until the mixture turns brown (approximately 30 seconds).Let cool, use a small spatula to thinly apply wax to skin, then apply a muslin cloth strip, pressing and smoothing in the direction of hair before peeling back in a swift motion.
Hair repair
Add a teaspoon of honey to regular shampoo to smooth damaged tresses, or combine with a teaspoon of olive oil for deeper conditioning. Apply to hair and let soak for 15-25 minutes before shampooing as usual.
Bath soak
Combine two tablespoons of honey and one cup hot water and let solution dissolve for about 10 minutes. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil, then pour in bath water.
Acne solution
Reserve a little dab of honey for skin and apply to blemishes, then keep covered with a Band-Aid for 30 minutes.(Honey also works as an antiseptic for burns and abrasions.)
Facial
Combine two teaspoons of milk with two tablespoons of honey. Smooth solution over face and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing off.
Cuticle cream
Melt some beeswax and apricot kernel oil in the microwave. Stir in one tablespoon of honey and, once cooled, divide into small tins for quick cuticle repair on the go.
Wart remedy
Using honey for skin doesn’t just involve softening.Proving one of the easiest (and better smelling) wart removers, apply honey to problem area twice a day until you see results.