What is honey and how is it made?
Honey is made by honeybees from nectar, which is a sweet liquid produced by flowers. The bees collect the nectar and store it in their honey stomachs, where it mixes with enzymes that break down the complex sugars into simpler sugars. The bees then reduce the nectar's water content, a process that takes several weeks and results in a thick, sweet liquid known as honey.
All honey consists of a mixture of simple sugars, including fructose, glucose, and sucrose. The exact composition of honey can vary depending on the type of flowers the bees collect nectar from and the location where the honey is produced. However, most honey consists of around 40% fructose, 30% glucose, 5% sucrose, and 25% water.
Honeybees are the only bees that produce honey, whereas other bees, such as bumblebees, do not make honey. Bumblebees collect nectar and use it as their food source during the warmer months, but they do not reduce the water content of the nectar to produce honey. Instead, they use nectar as their main source of energy and nutrients. Unlike honeybees, bumblebees do not overwinter, so they do not need to store large amounts of honey for survival.
Honey benefits for skin
Honey is a natural ingredient that is often used in skincare because it has several beneficial properties for the skin. Some of the top honey benefits for the skin are:
Humectant: Honey is a natural humectant, a substance that has the ability to attract and retain moisture. This helps to keep the skin hydrated and prevents dryness.
Antimicrobial: Honey has natural antimicrobial properties that can help to kill bacteria and other microorganisms on the skin. This can help to prevent and treat infections, acne, and other skin conditions.
Anti-inflammatory: Honey has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce swelling, redness, and irritation on the skin. Using honey can be beneficial for individuals with sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema, as it has soothing and calming properties.
There is a growing body of scientific evidence to support the benefits of honey for skincare. In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, researchers found that honey has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can be useful for the treatment of skin conditions such as acne and eczema. In another study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, researchers found that honey has the ability to kill a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, making it a potentially valuable natural treatment for infections and other skin conditions.
How we use honey in skincare
At Bee Cosmetics, we pride ourselves on using only the finest, sustainably sourced honey in our skincare products. We carefully tend to a small number of hives across Sussex, ensuring that the honey we collect is of the highest quality.
Honey is a key ingredient in our skincare range, and can be found in many of our products. Some of our most popular honey-infused items include:
Honey & Sugar Face Scrub: This gentle yet effective scrub uses a combination of honey and sugar to exfoliate and nourish the skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and glowing.
Jasmine & Rose Clay Mud Mask: Formulated with kaolin and bentonite clays working together to absorb impurities, unclog pores, and gently exfoliate, leaving you with healthy clearer skin. Infused with honey to hydrate the skin.
Day Moisturiser: This lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturiser is enriched with honey and other natural ingredients to help keep the skin hydrated and healthy throughout the day.
Honey Beeswax Soap: Our honey beeswax soap is made using pure, natural honey and beeswax, creating a creamy, moisturizing lather that cleanses and nourishes the skin.
At Bee Cosmetics, we believe in the power of honey to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Try our honey-infused skincare products today and experience the benefits for yourself.