The $5 alternative to costly skincare products

Hidden benefits of milk and honey based on scientific research 

Photo by Nancy Wiechec via The Dialog

What can milk and honey do for your skin? 

Nothing beats natural ingredients, especially when it comes to skincare. Nothing makes your skin happier than pampering it with the goodness of nature. A 2016 research paper showed that raw honey has several potential health and skincare benefits, including antimicrobial effects and wound-healing properties. Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties play an important role in removing excess oil from the skin and clearing clogged pores, therefore, preventing the cause of breakouts like pimples, acne, blackheads and whiteheads.

Milk contains proteins that improve the appearance of the skin generally, whether ingested or applied directly on the skin. According to a report published in 2021, “Milk products are widely used in the treatment of dermatological diseases for promoting the healing of chronic wounds, hastening tissue regeneration, and the treatment of acne vulgaris or plaque psoriasis. They are also increasingly regarded as active ingredients that can improve the condition of the skin by reducing the number of acne lesions and blackheads, regulating sebum secretion, ameliorating inflammatory changes as well as bestowing a range of moisturizing, protective, toning, smoothing, anti-irritation, whitening, soothing, and antiaging effects”.

Wondering how to use milk and honey in your beauty regime?

If you want glowing skin, milk and honey are a perfect combination to use. Many spas offer versions of milk and honey body treatments, but you do not need to go to the spa to enjoy this skin miracle. Pairing milk with honey may be associated with several potential benefits. 

1. Natural Face and Pore cleanser

Raw milk is the best skin cleanser. It drives out dust and bacteria from your skin along with unclogging the pores. It helps to prevent blackheads and breakouts. Honey can be used to cleanse pores and get rid of blackheads. Since honey contains antioxidants, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, it helps to rid your skin of blackheads by removing dirt from pores. It then hydrates and tightens skin pores for clear complexion. Jojoba oil  is one of the best cleansing mediums because its chemical composition is closest to the sebum that our skin naturally produces. It’s also non-allergenic, which means it’s suitable for those even with very sensitive skin.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of raw honey, 1 tablespoon of milk, 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil

Method: Mix the ingredients together. Apply to clean, dry skin, and massage gently in a circular motion, avoiding your eye area. Rinse with cold water. Repeat this daily for clean and supple face.

2. Lighten Scars

If you think your acne scars will never fade away, it is time to break your delusion. Honey is a natural moisturiser as well as a natural antiseptic. This not only keeps your skin soft and healthy, but also makes sure less of a scar is left behind. It minimizes any inflammation and helps heal the skin faster. Additionally, the anti-oxidants present in honey help repair damaged skin.

Ingredients: Raw honey 

Method: Wash your face gently and air-dry. Once your face is completely dry, apply raw honey and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water to have a fresh feel on your skin. Repeat consistently to see desired results.

3. Exfoliation 

This is done to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Honey helps open your pores, helping clear away dirt and oil. The lactic acid in milk is an alpha-hydroxy acid that naturally eats away dead skin cells, which is great for natural exfoliation. Sugar is also a natural exfoliant that helps polish the skin.

Ingredients: milk, honey, sugar

Method: Take one table spoon of each ingredients mix them well. Then, apply this mixture on your face and massage in a circular motion. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes and rinse off with fresh water. 

4. Treat Dry Skin

This moisturises your skin naturally and if this tonic is regularly used it can promise long term results. Banana is a rich source of potassium which helps significantly to heal dry and dehydrated skin. In combination with milk and honey, bananas make for an excellent hydrating solution for dry skin.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of milk, 2 tablespoons of honey, ripe banana

Method: Combine raw milk and honey in 1:1 ratio. Mash up a ripe banana with a fork. Mix together to form a paste. Apply the mixture on the face and neck and massage gently. The mask needs to stay on for 15-20 minutes. Then wash off with cold water. Repeat every alternate day.

5. Nourishment for Glowing Skin

This is an incredibly nourishing and hydrating face mask and suits all skin types. Honey contains anti-inflammatory properties that delay the aging process. Rosewater removes excessive oils from your face and keeping the bacterial growth at par, maintaining the skin’s pH balance. Rosewater is considered to be incredibly soothing and refreshing for the skin, when combined with the exfoliating properties of honey, helps in maintaining the skin’s pH balance, and slows aging. 

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons of rose water

Method: Mix the ingredients to prepare a fine paste. Apply this mixture on your face and let it set for 15 minutes. Then wash off with water. This face mask can truly boost the health of your skin! 

For desired results continue to use it for at least a week.

6. Anti-ageing and Wrinkle Prevention 

The probiotics, antioxidants, nutrients and enzymes in honey work together to nourish and plump the skin. It retains and rebuilds moisture without making it oily or creating any irritation. While it doesn’t completely eliminate wrinkles, it does reduce their appearance. And the antioxidants help reverse any damage, which is what can lead to visible signs of aging. Lemon juice helps in shedding dead skin cells and reducing fine lines. Equally, milk can lighten your skin complexion and diminish wrinkles.

Ingredients: honey, milk, lemon juice

Method: mix all ingredients in equal proportions to create a mask. Apply gently on face and wash up after 15-20 minutes.

7. Moisturises skin

Milk acts as a natural moisturiser for your skin that keeps it hydrated and nourished. It boosts and softens your skin.

Ingredients: Raw milk

Method: All you need to do is apply raw milk on your face by using a clean cotton ball and let it dry for 15-20 minutes. Then wash your face with cold water. Ensure not to move or stretch your face while the mask is drying or else it can cause fine lines. Your skin will retain moisture throughout the day.

8. Hydrates the skin

Honey is a natural humectant, which means that it draws moisture into the skin from air. Application of raw honey on the face is the best way to keep you skin hydrated, fresh and supple at all times.

Ingredients: Raw honey

Method: Apply directly on the face and rinse with lukewarm water.

9. Treat Acne 

Honey for acne is the best home remedy because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. This aids not only in the removal of excess oil from the surface of the skin but also clearing out any blockages or clogged pores. Turmeric is also known to reduce scarring. It’s anti-inflammatory properties - from curcumin, it’s constituent - can target your pores and calm your skin. The combination of both ingredients will help your face clear out from acne breakouts.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of turmeric. 

Method: Mix all the ingredients, apply it on the face by massaging in a circular motion and leave it for 20 minutes. Then rinse it with cold water and pat dry. 

Tip: It’s advised to steam your face before using this remedy. 

10. Tan removal

Milk contains lactic acid, which is really effective for lightening skin and removing dead skin cells that get accumulated on your face. It also helps to soothe sun burn as it contains protein that wards off the burning sensation and diminishes unwanted pigmentation. Tanning is a common problem faced by all. One cannot avoid stepping outside but can prevent and treat uneven skin tone.

Ingredients: Raw milk 

Method: Dip a clean cloth in a bowl of milk. Wring the cloth before applying on the affected skin. Let it stay on for 15 minutes, then rinse with water. Repeat thrice a week before shower for best results.

11. Lightens and Brightens skin 

Raw milk removes unwanted tan and corrects uneven skin tone. It lightens dark spots, skin discolouration, and acne scars and gives you the best version of your skin tone. Milk is loaded with Vitamin A and D, which enhance the natural complexion of your skin. This uncovers healthy and glowing skin. Moreover, vitamin B6 present in milk helps in cell formation, ensuring your skin stays youthful and healthy. 

Ingredients: Raw milk 

Method: Apply milk to your face with a saturated cotton ball, leave it on for at least 15 minutes, and rinse well. With repeated use, it can bring out your skin's natural glow.

12. Heals the skin

Honey has anti-bacterial properties that helps skin heal. What’s more, this masks is also very efficient in reducing the appearance of acne marks. You will however need to ensure you’re not applying it over fresh acne or wounds.

Ingredients: Honey

Method: Wash your hands properly. Making sure the wound is clean, use a clean cotton bud to apply a thin layer of honey to the wound. Place a clean sterile gauze over the wound and gently tape it down. Repeat this daily until the wound appears to be healing, then reduce to as often as needed. Within a few days or weeks, your wound should be perfectly healed!

A few things to keep in mind

The benefits of milk on the face and skin are many. However, if you’re allergic or intolerant to lactose, then you must avoid using milk. Also, if you experience any signs of inflammation, redness, or any other type of allergic reaction after applying the milk, then immediately wash your face with cold water and visit a dermatologist.

It’s also important to consider avoiding honey if you’re allergic to pollen, celery or bee venom. If you’re unsure, try testing a bit on a small area of your skin for a reaction or consult with your doctor about doing an allergy test.

Due to its stickiness, honey can be more difficult to get off your skin compared to other ingredients. Be sure to wash your face thoroughly, without rubbing or pulling your skin. Be gentle and wash your face several times with water to get all the honey off your face.

Finally, make sure you’re removing the honey from your face completely after trying out a face mask, treatment or cleanser. Any honey left can attract dirt, which can lead to breakouts (and the last thing you want is clogged pores and acne).

Remember moderation is the key! 

Takeaway 

• Researchers are working to find out more about how honey can help your face look it’s brightest and most clear. As long as you don’t have an allergy, there’s little reason not to give it a try. Let your skin breathe by taking a break from harmful chemical products and pamper it with the richness of milk and honey.

• Raw honey is more expensive than other kinds of honey, but it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other skin cosmetics for your face.

• The more often you incorporate honey into your beauty routine, the greater the chances you’ll see results. So grab some natural honey and start giving your skin the TLC it deserves.

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