Honey has been used in cosmetic preparations for centuries. The golden nectar provides skin care benefits, including antibacterial and antiseptic properties and is an effective humectant. Did you know honey is effective on acne too? With the introduction of Manuka Honey (think super charged honey) and a myriad of products that effectively harness the benefits of this natural wonder – honey, propolis and royal jelly may be the sweetest thing to happen to your skin.

Learn about honey, propolis and royal jelly in skin care from Honey Girl Organics

In This Story:

♥ Honey based skin care products for all skin types – including organic options
♥ Honey facial that will leave you with miraculously soft skin
♥ Tips on how to mash-up products for maximum results
♥ DIY honey recipes

Before rejoicing in the holistic topical wonders of honey – its important to briefly touch upon what’s been happening to the honey bee population over the last several decades. Pesticides and herbicides which are ingested by bees during pollination rounds are literally killing honey bees. GMOs and direct fumigation of commercial hives are also factors in the honey bee decline. Radiation from cellphones and cell towers are disrupting their ability to navigate back to their hives. [read about.com article here]

What can you do? Look for certified organic products from holistically managed hives. Support businesses and charities that support bees (here’s a few from The Daily Green). Note: Just be sure to do your research before donating money and note that normally when you buy products with “portion of the proceeds” disclaimers – only a small amount from your purchase is donated.

BEE BITES (Source: New Beauty | Summer/Fall 2013):
♥ Exfoliant: Honey is made from simple sugar enzymes – making it a good exfoliator for acne-prone and sensitive skins.
♥ Moisturizer: A natural humectant, honey draws moisture from the air.
♥ Anti-irritant: The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in honey help to calm skin irritation.
♥ Antioxidant: Darker honey has less water and is more concentrated – therefore, it has a higher level of antioxidants.

(L-R) Honey Girl Organics Facial Cleanser & Makeup Remover, Face & Eye Cream Extra Sensitive, Rejuvenating Mask, The Lotion

FEATURED BRAND: [LOCAL] Honey Girl Organics is one of my favorite natural cosmetic lines – and its made with Hawaiian Raw Pupukea Honey which is harvested in the famous North Shore from holistically managed hives. The product ingredient lists are 70-93% organic and mostly consist of water, extra virgin olive oil, honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly and essential oils. Can’t use essential oils? The Extra Sensitive versions are free of essential oils.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the Honey Girl Organics Facial Cleanser and Makeup Remover ($19.99 for 4 oz.). The super creamy, deliciously textured milky cleanser whisks away even tough eye makeup without irritation or dryness – you almost feel like you don’t need to do anything else! Follow with an application of Honey Girl Organics Rejuvenating Mask ($26.99 for 1.75 oz – pictured left.) – an amazing concoction that incorporates clays and algae with honey, royal jelly and propolis. After 10 minutes you are left with soft, relaxed skin. MASH UP!: Mix a small amount of Rejuvenating Mask with the Cleanser for a gentle exfoliator.

Many “all-natural” or organic moisturizers tend to feel heavy and sit on top of the skin. All those “chemicals” that are missing from their formulations are usually the very things that make them feel “good”. Honey Girl Organics Face & Eye Cream – Extra Sensitive ($32.99 for 1.75 oz. – pictured right) is light enough for combination skin, gentle enough for even the most sensitive – but plumps and hydrates even aging skin. Enriched with Vitamin E – this cream can even be used around the eyes with great results. Get full body results with Honey Girl Organics The Lotion Extra Sensitive ($39.99 for 8 oz.) which banishes ashy, dry skin (including elbows and heels) in an miraculously nourishing but non-greasy formula. MASH UP!: Combine a few drops of your favorite facial oil with the Face & Eye Cream for extra nourishment.

Honey Girl Organics The Lotion Extra Sensitive: Honey Girl Organics formulas are wonderfully simple – but have rich, luxurious textures without any fragrance or non-friendly ingredients. I use The Lotion Extra Sensitive liberally on my children to treat their eczema and dry patches – without worrying about adverse reactions. It eliminated any itchy, dry patches I had on my arms, kept my legs glowing all day and even worked wonders on my dry, damaged hair!

Fresh Creme Ancienne Honey Mask ($130, 3.3 fl.oz.) harnesses honey’s magic and incorporates Echinacea (antioxidant), Meadowfoam Seed Oil (nourishment), Seabuckthorn Oil (omegas), Shea Butter and Vitamin E into a ultra-luxurious formula that reminds me of creamed honey – but please resist spreading it on your toast!

MAGICAL ‘FRESH’ HONEY FACIAL: On clean skin – apply thin layer of Fresh Rose Face Mask. Leave on for 5 minutes. Apply Fresh Sugar Face Polish OVER the Rose Face Mask and gently massage – adding a little water with your fingertips to facilitate. Use a soft wash cloth and warm water to remove and splash face 10-15 times with water. Apply a generous amount of Fresh Creme Ancienne Honey Mask. Leave on for 30 minutes. Use a soft wash cloth and warm water to remove. Splash 10-15 times with water. Finish by pressing a tiny amount of Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil onto flat surfaces of skin. Your skin will feel soft, plump and look noticeably more radiant for at least 24 hours.

Manuka Doctor Apinourish Rejuvenating Face Mask ($85, 1.69 oz.) deceptively looks and feels like a rich cream that leaves a semi-matte finish – but is actually a ultra-nourishing mask that contains Purified Bee Venom, Manuka Honey from New Zealand, Propolis Extract and Royal Jelly.

What makes this mask so amazing – is how it nourishes by absorbing into the skin like a moisturizer vs. sitting on top like a traditional mask. It can be used like a sleeping mask – by applying a standard amount to skin at bedtime and removing with a warm wash cloth in the morning. Skin conditions like redness, dry patches, dull skin and even acne marks are minimized over time. Us 2x weekly for consistently glowing, clear skin.

The Face Shop Sseal Royal Jelly Moisture Cream ($40, 1.69 fl.oz. – available at The Face Shop Hawaii stores) This thick gel-cream literally looks and feels like honey (minus the stickiness!) and has 2,500mg Royal Jelly Extract and 2,500mg of Manuka Honey Extract. The effect and usage is similar to Clinque Moisture Surge. If you’re skin is particularly dry, try this: Use an essence or serum, then generously apply a thick layer of this gel. Sleep in it. Wake to crazy hydrated skin.

DIY HONEY MASK RECIPES (combinations from Living the Nourished Life)
1. Acne Prone Skin: 3 tsp. raw honey, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.
2. Dry Skin: 1 tsp. mashed avocado, 1 tsp. plain whole milk yogurt, 1 tsp. raw honey
3. Sensitive Skin: 2 tsp. raw honey, 1 tsp. aloe vera gel
4. Scars/Dark Spots: 2 tsp. raw honey, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Monster Notes: Mix ingredients together, apply to dry, cleansed skin and leave on 10-30 minutes depending on your skin type and sensitivity level. Gently remove with warm water and pat dry.

← Roots Rose Radish Honey Pecan Rose Face Cleanser ($35 for 4 oz. jar). I literally just bought this as I was writing this post! From what I gather, its a slightly abrasive scrub with a creamy slightly gel-like texture and a honey/lavender scent.

→ Lush Fair Trade Honey Shampoo ($29.95 for 16.9 fl.oz.). The bottle is filled with 50% fair trade honey and 20% linseed mucilage for a moisturizing boost. It smells like honey (naturally) and honestly left my hair a little rough (likely from the sulfates – which I wish Lush would stop using). Those with less challenging hair (mine is course and dry to start) and kids might enjoy this honey-packed shampoo.

← [LOCAL] Queen Bee Productions Honey Citrus Facial Cleanser ($18 for 4oz.). This citrus (tangerine, grapefruit, lemongrass) cleanser lightly foams and lifts away dirt and makeup without drying the skin. Raw Maui Honey and organic Aloe Vera Gel nourishes and leaves skin feeling soft. It doesn’t do a smashing job at removing makeup – but the soft but crisp scent make it a great AM option for combination to oily skin.

← Lush Honey I Washed the Kids Soap ($7.95 for 3.5 oz.). There’s some Canadian honey and beeswax in this ridiculously addictive golden of soap – which smells like caramelized toffee and leaves skin happier. The creamy, moisturizing lather is gentle enough for faces.

MASH UP!: Wash with Honey I Washed the Kids and follow up with Lush Soft Coeur Massage Bar ($8.95) to banish dry, itchy winter skin. Plus you’ll smell yummy!

NEW DISCOVERY! Vayas Homegrown Honey Cinnamon Lip Therapy ($3.50). This GMO Free, made-to-order lip balm completely surprised me! The buttery texture was so un-Chapstick (high five) and the honey and cinnamon essential oil naturally plumped my lips. The balm was creamy enough to use on cuticles as well! It also comes in Honey Ginger which reminds me of an authentic Ginger Ale – sweet and zippy at the same time.

INGREDIENTS

Honey Girl Organics Facial Cleanser & Makeup Remover: Purified water, organic extra virgin olive oil, Beeswax with pollen & propolis, Raw Pupukea Honey, and essential oils.

Honey Girl Organics Rejuvenating Mask: Raw Pupukea Honey, French green clay, organic diatomaceous earth, Hawaiian blue green algae, Royal Jelly, propolis.

Honey Girl Organics Face & Eye Cream Extra Sensitive: Organic extra virgin olive oil, purified water, Beeswax with pollen & propolis, Raw Pupukea Honey, Royal Jelly, Vitamin E.

Honey Girl Organics The Lotion Extra Sensitive: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax with pollen & propolis, Raw Pupukea Honey.

Fresh Creme Ancienne Honey Mask: MEL (HONEY)  ● PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE  ● STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE  ● PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE  ● LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL  ● JOJOBA OIL PEG-150 ESTERS  ● PENTYLENE GLYCOL  ● BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER)  ● PROPYLENE CARBONATE  ● ECHINACEA PURPUREA EXTRACT  ● SUCROSE LAURATE  ● HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES OIL  ● CERA ALBA (BEESWAX)  ● ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER WATER  ● CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) PEEL OIL  ● OSMANTHUS FRAGRANS FLOWER EXTRACT  ● ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER OIL  ● ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT  ● TOCOPHEROL  ● AQUA (WATER)  ● CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE  ● GLYCERIN  ● SODIUM METABISULFITE  ● CITRIC ACID  ● LIMONENE  ● CITRONELLOL  ●

Manuka Doctor Apinourish Rejuvenating Face Mask: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Kaolin, Honey, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Propolis Extract, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Royal Jelly, Propylene Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mosa Moshata Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bee Venom, Sodium Benzoate. (Source: product packaging)

The Face Shop Sseal Royal Jelly Moisture Cream: water, glycerin, royal jelly extract, sd alcohol 40-b, methyl gluceth-20, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, jojoba wax PEG-120 esters, PEG-32, dimethicone, 1,2-hexanediol, panthenol, cyclopentasiloxane, honey extract, sodium polyacrylate, c18-21 alkane, polysilicone-11, PPG-26-buteth-26, acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, butylene glycol, trideceth-6, natto gum, citrus paradisi (grapefruit) fruit extract, adenosine, theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract, disodium EDTA, potassium hydroxide, benzyl salicylate, hydroxysohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, butylphenyl methylpropional, alpha-isomethyl ionone, benzyl benzoate, linalool, citronellol, fragrance, yellow 6 (CI 15985), yellow 5 (CI 191410)

Roots Rose Radish Honey Pecan Rose Face Cleanser: pecans, almonds, rose petals, honey, vegetable glycerin, cold pressed unrefined jojoba oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil.

Lush Fair Trade Honey Shampoo: Fairly Traded Honey , Linseed Mucilage (Linum usitatissimum) , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Sunflower Lecithin (Lecithin) , Lauryl Betaine , Geranium Oil (Pelargonium graveolens) , Beeswax Absolute , Neroli Oil (Citrus Aurantium amara) , Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) , Bergamot Oil (Citrus Aurantium bergamia) , *Citral , *Geraniol , Citronellol , *Limonene , *Linalool , *Benzyl Salicylate , *Eugenol , Benzyl Benzoate , *Farnesol , Hydroxycitronellol , Fragrance

Lush Honey I Washed the Kids Soap: Honey Water (Aqua) , Propylene Glycol , Rapeseed Oil , Coconut Oil (Brassica napus; Cocos nucifera) , Sodium Lauryl Sulfate , Water (Aqua) , Sodium Stearate , Sodium Hydroxide , Fragrance , Beeswax (Cera alba) , Sweet Wild Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis) , Bergamot Oil (Citrus bergamia) , Aloe Vera Extract (Aloe barbadensis) , Sodium Chloride , Glycerine , EDTA , Tetrasodium Etidronate , Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides) , Titanium Dioxide , *Limonene , *Linalool , *Benzyl Benzoate

**Honey Girl Organics products were submitted by Honey Girl Organics representatives for review consideration. This is not an advertisement for this product. All reviews and information is gathered independently by Cosmetic Monster or from press releases – and no compensation is received based on the outcome or sales generated from this review. Cosmetic Monster pays WordPress to be AD FREE and does not participate in affiliate programs – all links are provided to promote products, but without compensation. Only REFERRAL links for sites like Hautelook or Birchbox yield compensation (usually points or credit).