Why this is the anti-ageing hero missing from your skincare routine
It's creating serious buzz
Cosmetic Health
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Leading beauty giants have turned their attention back to honey as a super ingredient for its soothing, hydrating, antimicrobial principles. Here’s how to pick the best products for your face.
In an industry that thrives on science-backed promises, it’s surprising to see low-key, natural ingredients elevated back to power status. Even after taking into account the beauty world’s fascination with all things organic, the rise and rise of honey as a hero ingredient is one for the books.
Still, is it little wonder the same golden elixir we add to lemon and hot water to ease a sore throat has soothing and enhancing effects on our skin, too? Definitely not, say the experts.
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“Honey is a humectant and emollient which means it has moisturising properties,” explains dermatologist and associate professor from University of New South Wales, Deshan Sebaratnam.“There is evolving evidence regarding its antimicrobial properties,” Vaia Pappas, beauty therapist, herbalist and owner of Vaia Beauty, agrees. “Honey is antifungal and antibacterial. It can accelerate skin cell renewal and isa potent wound healer,” she says.
Tempting as it might be to slather on the supermarket variety, though, experts recommend against applying it directly to skin, particularly if you’re prone to sensitivity. “In general, food products should not be put on the skin as this can lead to allergies, particularly for people with eczema,” says Sebaratnam.
Fortunately for us, there are boundless beauty formulas on the market that are infused with honey, aimed to better our skin. Olay’s luminous niacinamide honey peptide moisturiser contains honey to calm, along with niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation spots. And Karuna’s clarifying+ face mask addresses congested skin thanks to honey, salicylic acid and burdock root.
What about manuka honey, you might ask? Is it superior to the generic variety when it comes to results? The answer is most likely yes. Manuka honey is created from bees pollinating tea-tree, explains Pappas. “And tea-tree products possess even more potent antifungal, antibacterial and skin-soothing properties.”
Dermal therapy lip balm is enriched with manuka honey, and Manuka RX pro-aging eye cream features supercharged east cape manuka oil, which is more potent than the honey itself, to help with puffiness, fine lines and dullness in the delicate skin around your eyes. Sweet stuff.
Olay luminous niacinamide honey peptide cream, $25.19 from Priceline
Karuna’s clarifying+ face mask, $20 from Mecca
Dermal therapy lip balm manuka honey, $5.49 from Chemist Warehouse
Manuka RX pro-aging eye cream, $45.95 from Manuka RX
Originally published as Why this is the anti-ageing hero missing from your skincare routine
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