Beach Ready Beauty with Honey

Whether you'll be bronzing at the beach, pool-side or in the back yard, it's time to make sure your skin is ready for ultimate summer exposure.

Before putting on those summer tanks and sandals, take a moment to slough away winter's effect on your skin and rejuvenate with one of nature's favorite beauty secrets - honey.  

For centuries, pure honey has been used as part of a healthy skincare regimen. From Cleopatra to Jennifer Lopez, well-known beauties have used honey as part of their regular beauty treatments.  Pure honey acts as a natural humectant, anti-irritant and exfoliator to give skin a sweet, youthful glow.

Christopher Watt, owner of Christopher Watt Esthetics in West Hollywood, Calif. and skin care expert to celebrity A-listers, including Halle Berry and Ricky Martin, uses pure honey in most of his skin and beauty treatments.

"I recommend using 100 percent pure honey as part of your regular beauty routine," said Watt. "With summer rapidly approaching, now is a great time to experience honey's natural moisturizing properties. Honey is an inexpensive way to get spa-like results."

Watt teamed up with the National Honey Board to create easy honey-based skin treatments you can make at home.  He recommends using honey at least twice a week to soften and exfoliate the skin.  

Not only will honey keep your skin smooth, but it is also a great way to keep your lips healthy. Honey's naturally occurring enzymes, vitamins and nutrients are absorbed by your lips leaving them kissable and soft.

From the Sweethearts' Chocolate Honey Scrub to the Aloha Honey Hawaiian Delight facial, these homemade skin treatments will leave you wanting to shed those winter sweaters and show some skin!  For additional beauty tips and recipes using pure honey, visit www.honey.com.

RECIPES:

Sweethearts' Chocolate Honey Scrub, courtesy of Christopher Watt
Makes 2 treatments  

Ingredients:

2 cups honey
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
6 tablespoons unsweetened chocolate, grated
2 cups kosher salt

Directions:

In rubber mixing bowl, combine honey and grapeseed oil. Stir in chocolate and salt mixing completely. Consistency should be grainy and thick. Apply scrub to skin and gently massage all over the body. Remove with warm damp towels or rinse in shower.

Beauty Benefits: Increases circulation and helps rid body of toxins. Honey provides a moisturizing effect as well as fights damaging free radicals.

Aloha Honey Hawaiian Delight, courtesy of Christopher Watt
Makes 2 treatments

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons green tea
1/2 ripe papaya
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, diced
2 tablespoons honey

Directions:

Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. Peel papaya wedge and remove seeds. In blender or food processor, blend papaya and pineapple until pureed. Pour into glass bowl and combine honey and green tea. Mix well. Apply to face with fan brush or finger tips. Recline and rest for 10 - 15 minutes. Remove completely with tepid water and soft facial cloth. Store in covered container in refrigerator for up to one week.

Beauty Benefits: Exfoliates, hydrates and rejuvenates.

Honey-Kissed Lip Balm, courtesy of the National Honey Board
Makes 1-1/2 cups

Ingredients:

1 cup sweet almond oil  (Found at natural food stores)
1/2 cup beeswax  (Can be purchased at craft and beekeeping stores)
2 Tablespoons honey

Directions:

Place almond oil and beeswax in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until mixture melts. Whisk honey into beeswax mixture; stir well. Set aside to cool completely. When cool, pour into small containers with lids. Apply to lips as a moisturizer or on top of lipstick for extra shine. Makes about 1-1/2 cups.

Beauty Benefits: Moisturizes and exfoliates lips.

Courtesy of ARA Content