15 Natural Ways To Use Honey To Hydrate Your Dry Skin

Dry skin is one of the worst nightmares for many people, especially during cold months. It leads to a feeling of tightness in the skin, pain, coarse texture, flaking and fine lines. It can be caused to dry weather, harsh soaps, hot showers or dehydration.

Heavy duty moisturizers provide relief from the dry skin temporarily and don’t treat the root cause of the problem. But natural remedies like honey locks the moisture in the skin cells and protects it from getting excessively dry.

Is Honey Really Effective in Treating Dry Skin? Let’s a have a look…

• Honey is a humectant by nature that draws moisture into the skin from the environment. It forms a protective layer on the skin surface to retain the moisture in the skin.
• The enzymes, antioxidants and nutrients in honey removes the dry and dead skin cells from the skin surface and smoothes the rough and coarse texture of the skin.
• Anti-inflammatory properties of honey help to heal skin damage and dryness caused by excessive sun exposure.
• Antioxidants present in honey protect the skin against oxidative stress and environmental damage – both of which cause dry skin.

How to Use Honey for Dry Skin?

Honey can be used alone or mixed with other natural ingredients as an effective treatment for dry skin. Below, we have listed several ways of using it to treat dry skin.

1. Honey

• Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey in a bowl.
• Apply it evenly all over your face.
• Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse off with water.
• Follow this process 2 to 3 times in a week.

2. Honey and Milk Pack

Lactic acid present in milk helps to get rid of the dry and dead skin cells. Potassium present in milk moisturizes and hydrates the dry skin. Vitamin B12 corrects the rough and uneven texture of the skin.

• Take 2 tablespoons each of honey and whole milk in a bowl.
• Mix it thoroughly with the help of a spoon.
• Apply this mixture on dry skin and leave it on for 20 minutes.
• Take a shower and dry with a towel.
• Repeat this remedy once in 2 days.

3. Honey and Lemon Pack

Lemon juice is loaded with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that prevents skin damage and dryness caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also boosts collagen and elastin production in the skin which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines – problems associated with dry skin.

• Take 2 tablespoons each of honey and fresh lemon juice in a bowl.
• Mix it with a spoon and soak a cotton ball in this mixture.
• Using a cotton ball, apply this mixture all over your face.
• Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with water.
• Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times in a week.

Note – Don’t go out in the sun immediately after using lemon as it makes skin photosensitive.

4. Honey and Yogurt Pack

Mineral zinc present in yogurt works as an anti-inflammatory agent that prevents skin dryness caused by sun damage. Lactic acid present in yogurt breaks down dead skin cells where as calcium promotes skin renewal and aids in the formation of new skin cells.

• Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl and whisk it with a fork.
• Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix with a spoon.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and wait for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse off the application with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat this procedure 1 to 2 times in a week.

5. Honey and Cinnamon Pack

Cinnamon acts as a mild exfoliant that helps to remove dry and dead skin cells from the skin surface. In addition, the antioxidant properties of cinnamon help to treat skin dryness caused by free radical damage and environmental factors. Cinnamon also boosts collagen formation in the skin which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

• Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of coarsely ground cinnamon.
• Add 2 tablespoons of honey to it and mix with a spoon.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and massage for 5 minutes.
• Leave it on for another 15 minutes and take a shower.
• Repeat this process twice in a week.

6. Honey and Banana Pack

High levels of potassium present in bananas help to moisturize and hydrate dry skin. Vitamin E present in banana fights skin damage, dryness caused by UV rays and free radicals. B-complex vitamins in banana slow down the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

• Take a ripe banana and mash it with a fork to make a paste.
• Add 2 tablespoons of honey to it and mix with a spoon.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and leave it on for 20 minutes.
• Take a shower and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times in a week.

7. Honey and Besan Pack

The mild exfoliating properties of besan or gram flour help to get rid of the layer of dry and dead skin cells.

• Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of besan in a bowl and add some water to it to make a paste.
• Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix with a spoon.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and let it dry on its own.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat this remedy twice in a week.

8. Honey and Cucumber Pack

The composition of cucumber is 95% water which can hydrate and moisturize excessively dry skin. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of cucumber treat damaged skin caused by excessive sun exposure.

• Take a medium-sized cucumber and grate it.
• Add 2 tablespoons of honey to the grated cucumber and mix with a spoon.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with water and dry with a towel.
• Follow this remedy once in 2 days.

9. Honey and Egg Pack

Eggs are loaded with healthy fats, protein, vitamin A and vitamin E – all of which help to nourish and moisturize the skin. It protects the skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun. Egg also promotes collagen production in the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

• Break an egg in a bowl and whisk it thoroughly with the help of a fork.
• Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix with a spoon.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and wait for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times in a week.

10. Honey and Oatmeal Pack

Oatmeal contains a considerable amount of proteins and lipids that render potent humectant properties to it. These properties help to moisturize and hydrate the skin.

• Take 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal and add 2 tablespoons of honey to it.
• Mix it thoroughly with the help of a spoon and apply it all over your face.
• Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then take a bath or shower.
• Repeat this treatment twice in a week.

11. Honey and Rosewater Pack

Rosewater helps to maintain the pH balance of the skin and prevents it from over-drying. It hydrates, moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin. It provides relief from severe dry skin conditions such as dermatitis.

• Take 2 tablespoons each of rosewater and honey in a bowl.
• Mix it thoroughly with the help of a spoon.
• Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and apply it all over your face.
• Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse it off with water.
• Repeat this remedy once in 2 days.

12. Honey and Sugar Scrub

The tiny sugar granules make a mild exfoliating agent that removes the layer of dry and dead skin cells without damaging the skin. Glycolic acid present in sugar helps to maintain the perfect balance of oil and prevents it from over-drying.

• Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey in a bowl.
• Add a tablespoon of sugar to it and give it a stir.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and massage gently for 5 to 8 minutes.
• Leave it on for another 15 minutes and then rinse with water.
• Follow this process 1 to 2 times in a week.

13. Honey and Tomato Pack

Tomato contains lycopene that protects the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the skin which dries out the skin and gives a coarse texture to it.

• Take a medium-sized ripe tomato and mash it to make a paste.
• Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix thoroughly.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with water and pat dry with a towel.
• Follow this process 2 times in a week.

14. Honey and Turmeric Pack

Potent anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help to treat skin damage and dryness caused by sun exposure. It also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and helps to exfoliates dead and dry skin cells.

• Take a tablespoon of turmeric powder and add some water to make a paste.
• Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix thoroughly.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with cold water and pat dry with a towel.

Note – Turmeric stains the cloths, so wear an old towel or t-shirt while applying it to your skin.

15. Honey and Olive Oil Massage

High level of vitamin E present in olive oil acts as an antioxidant that prevents dryness caused by sun exposure and cold weather. The healthy fats in olive oil moisturize the skin and form a protective layer on the skin surface. It also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

• Take 2 tablespoons each of olive oil and honey in a small container.
• Secure the cap of the container and shake it thoroughly.
• Apply this mixture all over your face and massage for 5 to 8 minutes.
• Leave it on for another 15 minutes and then rinse off with water.
• Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times in a week.

Tips and Precautions:

• Always opt for raw, organic honey while trying the above mentioned remedies.
• Excessive amount of honey can clog your skin pores and lead to breakout of pimples. So, use it sparingly.
• You can wash with lukewarm water before applying these packs. It will help to open up the skin pores and allow the ingredients to penetrate into the skin more readily.
• Massage your skin with natural oils such as olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil 2 to 3 times in a week.
• Exfoliate your skin with a mild natural scrub twice a week to get rid of dead and dry skin cells.
• Don’t use alcohol-based cleansers and toners to clean your skin.
• Opt for heavy, oil-based creams or lotions to moisturize your skin twice in a day.
• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen every time you go out in the sun.
• Don’t take showers and baths with hot water. Use lukewarm water instead.
• Drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated.
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom to keep the air comfortably warm and moist.

Try out these remedies for dry skin to get soft, supple and smooth skin naturally. Do share your expereince, tips and suggestions with us in the comments section below.