Beauty Nectar

Honey&emdash;nature's wonder ingredient for skin and hair&emdash;is finding its way into everything from cleansers and creams to shampoos and hair conditioners

The abundance of sugars, trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids found naturally in honey provide powerful moisturizing and anti-aging benefits for hair and skin. Honey contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as natural antioxidants that help to protect against bacteria and sun damage. Because it's a natural antiseptic that soothes and heals skin, honey is also an ideal acne treatment. Acne is caused by the buildup of oil and dirt, and honey can absorb these impurities from the pores on the skin.

Honey's stickiness allows it to attract and retain moisture, and this helps keep skin and hair hydrated. Honey helps retain moisture in your hair, turning dry, damaged, dull-looking hair lustrous and shiny. It can also rid your scalp of dry, itchy flakes.

But not all honey is the same. The antibacterial quality of honey depends on the flower nectar the bees feed on and where the honey is harvested. For example, manuka honey, which is harvested in New Zealand, is packed with the tough antibacterial component methylglyoxal (MG), which is found in high concentration in the nectar of manuka flowers.