Honey – Cosmetic Uses in Skin Conditioning and Moisturising

What Is Honey?

Honey is a natural substance produced by bees from plant nectar. It has been used for centuries both as a food and in traditional topical preparations.

Honey is particularly suitable for cosmetic applications because it attracts and retains moisture, giving it humectant and moisturising properties. It can help leave the skin feeling softer and more comfortable.

Cosmetic Uses

Honey is primarily used in cosmetics as an emollient and humectant. Its moisture-attracting properties make it suitable for formulations designed for dry, rough, or chapped skin.

It can be incorporated into:

• Moisturising creams and lotions
• Hand creams
• Body-care products
• Facial skin-care formulations
• Soothing and conditioning products
• Products for dry or chapped skin

Honey has also traditionally been used in preparations for sores, wounds, burns, and other skin conditions. These historical and medical applications should not be interpreted as cosmetic treatment claims.

Composition

In addition to water and naturally occurring sugars, honey can contain varying amounts of beeswax. Its primary sugars are naturally occurring food components.

Historical Use

Honey has a very long history of topical use. Ancient Egyptian medical texts dating from approximately 2600–2200 BC mention honey in numerous remedies. Various cultures subsequently used it in traditional preparations for wounds and skin conditions.

These historical uses help explain the continued interest in honey as a cosmetic ingredient, particularly in products intended to provide moisturising and conditioning benefits.

Ingredient Information

INCI: Honey
CAS: 8028-66-8
EINECS/EC: Not specified in the original source
Functions: Emollient, Humectant, Moisturising

Source

Dweck, Anthony. Handbook of Natural Ingredients (Dweck Books 4) . Dweck Data. Kindle Edition.