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Written by Grove Collaborative

7 benefits of honey and beeswax for skin and body.

Last Updated: September 30, 2021


Honey and beeswax are having a skincare moment. Are you ready for some sweet knowledge about the benefits of these centuries-old remedies? Let’s hit it.

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You might be curious as to why honey and beeswax keep popping up in your skincare products. These glorified bee excretions have (scientifically proven) healing properties and have been used for centuries to remedy everything from sore throats to minor scrapes and burns. These days, they’ve become popular ingredients in cosmetics and moisturizers (Burt’s Bees, anyone?)


Are you ready for some sweet knowledge about the benefits of honey and beeswax for your skin? Here we go.


This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options.

Honey benefits for your skin

Honey is tasty in baklava and your afternoon tea, but it’s also full of beneficial nutrients for your skin.


It brightens your complexion, has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, fades scars, and is a natural emollient that softens and moisturizes the skin to prevent dryness and itching.


Sticky-sweet honey is made by bees from the nectar from flowers — and the specific benefits of honey for skin vary, depending on the type of flowers the bees use.

What is manuka honey?


Manuka honey comes from bees who pollinate the manuka bush, which grows predominantly in Australia and New Zealand.


Manuka honey contains dietary methylglyoxal, a bioactive ingredient that supercharges honey’s antibacterial properties and makes it excellent for treating acne, wounds, and sore throats.


See what all the buzz is about! Watch dermatologist Dr. Drey explain the benefits of manuka honey for skin.

What are the benefits of eating honey?


Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


Honey is rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that promote healthy aging, plus it can help lower triglycerides — a type of fat associated with heart disease.


This yummy superfood supports the production of serotonin and melatonin for better zzz’s, and it contains plenty of enzymes that aid in healthy digestion. So go ahead, add a little honey to your morning yogurt, and sweeten up your day.


Get more of the best nutrients nature has to offer — read up on the benefits of green tea for your skin too.

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Is beeswax good for skin?

Beeswax benefits your skin because it’s a natural humectant filled with protective wax esters that draw moisture into your skin — and keep it there.


This yellow wax forms the honeycomb bees use to store their honey, and it's packed with vitamin A to fight against the free radicals that cause premature signs of aging.


Beeswax also provides gentle exfoliation to keep you soft and smooth. Like honey, beeswax has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a popular ingredient in products targeted toward dry-skin conditions.


Interested in harnessing beeswax’s power for your skin? Learn all about Egyptian Magic, the cult beauty product containing five mystical, bee-derived ingredients to soothe, hydrate, and relieve (almost) all that ails you.

7 reasons to use honey and beeswax on your skin

Here are just a few ways to use these ingredients in your beauty routine.


1. Soothe and heal chapped lips


Beeswax and honey are a dynamic duo for cracked, dry lips.


Soften a little beeswax in your hand, and rub it on chapped lips for natural hydration — or snag a four-pack of the OG Burt’s Bees lip balm so you never run out.


2. Reduce effects of eczema


Research shows that a combo of beeswax, honey, and olive oil is effective at soothing and promoting healing for skin conditions like eczema.


Slather your irritated, itchy bits in a product like this lavender and honey hand cream, which contains honey, shea butter, and tons of other moisture-rich and soothing ingredients that help combat dry skin.


3. Soothe and reduce acne


Since beeswax and honey are both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, they help fight acne and soothe irritated skin.


If you’re acne-prone, try honey as a facial cleanser. Wet your face with warm water, scoop a 1/2 teaspoon of honey into your hands, and massage the honey over your face like you would a regular cleanser. Rinse it off, apply toner if you use one, then follow with a moisturizer.


4. Moisturize dry skin


Honey and beeswax help kick dry skin to the curb by drawing in moisture from the air and locking it in. You could lather your bod in straight-up honey, but it might be a little uncomfortable. Instead, check out Weleda’s Body Butter, made with protective beeswax that provides primo moisture for your dry skin woes.


Got dry skin? We’ve got answers. Read up on the best skincare routine for soft, supple skin 24/7.

Shop these honey and beeswax products from Grove

5. Fade scars


Honey contains a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, which can help fade old scars and reduce hyperpigmentation.


Apply honey as a spot treatment every day or every other day to lighten pesky blemishes. Let it sit on your skin for 20 minutes, and rinse.


6. Improve general skin health

Treat yourself to a honey face mask for ultra hydration and nourishment when you need it.


Spread a tablespoon of honey onto slightly damp skin, and let it sit for 20 minutes. Customize this anyway you like — add a teaspoon of coconut oil for more moisture, or incorporate 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil for a lil’ aromatherapy while you mask.


If slathering your visage in honey freaks you out, try a luxe alternative, like the SJÖ Happy Honey Face Mask. It’s formulated with Swedish honey, cleansing kaolin clay, and gentle calamine that’ll soothe even the most distraught skin.


7. Get shiny, healthy hair


Hair, meet bees. Beeswax and honey provide maximum moisture for your dry, damaged locks, and this hair mask is a great way to apply it.


In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup beeswax, and 1 tablespoon each of coconut oil and honey in a small saucepan, and melt over medium heat. Pour it into a heat-proof container, and let it harden for 20 to 30 minutes.


Apply the mask to your hair in dime-sized amounts until your head is coated. Then, forget about it. Read, watch the tube, or scroll through TikTok for at least 30 minutes — but up to three hours. Rinse, shampoo, and condition, et voila! Shiny, happy hair.

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