The Unexpected Effect Honey Has On Your Skin

For centuries, honey, a sweet, viscous substance made by bees, has long been used for cooking and medicinal purposes (via Byrdie). Honey can do much more than sweeten your tea or soothe your sore throat, however. It can also work wonders on your skin by improving its overall texture and quality. According to dermatologists who spoke to Byrdie, honey can help soften, brighten, clean, and even heal your skin.

"Chief among the benefits is the antimicrobial activity of many honey varieties — it kills bacteria living on the skin," says Dr. Kenneth Howe of Wexler Dermatology. "This effect probably explains how honey came to be used traditionally as a wound-healing agent in many different cultures."

Honey is also a natural humectant, which means that it helps draw moisture into the skin. This is particularly helpful for people with dry skin who need a boost of hydration. Furthermore, raw honey is rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, which act as natural antioxidants to help reduce inflammation (via Byrdie).

Aside from being an effective hydrating moisturizer, honey is linked to many other potential skin benefits. For instance, honey can also be used to heal wounds and reduce scarring, per Greatist. One of honey's best properties is its ability to kill bacteria and fight off infections. It can also help stimulate tissue growth, which can reduce and minimize the appearance of scars as a wound heals.

In addition, using honey as a topical treatment can help clear up acne. Since honey can destroy bacteria, it can help treat and reduce any acne caused by an overgrowth of bacteria on the skin. Due to its high antioxidant content, it can also reduce the redness and inflammation that is commonly associated with acne and breakouts. Furthermore, honey can even help brighten your skin. That's because it can help encourage cell regeneration by exfoliating your skin and removing dead skin cells from your face. This can help reduce redness and make your skin look brighter, giving it a natural glowing effect (via Greatest).