One of the oldest natural cosmetics known to man is honey. For centuries, it has been used on its own or added to other ingredients to make creams, cleansers and tonics to keep the skin and hair soft and in beautiful condition. Remember Cleopatra who regularly bathed in asses milk and honey to maintain her youthful appearance? Also, Poppea, wife of the Roman Emperor Nero, used a milk and honey lotion on her face for the same reason. 

And now, thousands of years later, large cosmetics companies, recognising the benefits of honey on skincare, add it to their products. But it is just as easy to make your own natural beauty treatments at a fraction of the price. 

When warmed and smoothed over the skin, honey attracts dirt away from the pores. This combined with its natural antiseptic properties make it an ideal cleansing agent. 

Bharti Vyas honey beauty recipes

Lemon based mask for excess hair 
Mix together 1tsp of lemon juice with 1tsp of Honey. Smooth on to the face in the direction of the hair growth and leave on for ten minutes. 
Lemon is a natural bleaching and honey a natural soothing agent, therefore the combination on naturally bleaching hairs works without sensitising the skin. 

The BV healing mask for spots 
2tsp honey, 1/4 tsp of fine sea salt, 1tsp of turmeric. Blend to a thick paste. Apply only to the spot and leave overnight. Wash your face as normal. The combination of ingredients means that it has a deep dislodging effect, so heals the spot faster without leaving scar tissue. 

Natural home made quick fix Face lift 
Use 2 heaped tsp gram flour (chick pea flour) and ½ tsp honey with 2 tsp of water. Apply it all over the face and neck and leave it on for 15 minutes. When removing it remember to dampen a cotton wool ball or face cloth, and wash it off. Not only does it have a tightening effect on the skin it is deep cleansing and exfoliating. Then moisturise. 
The combination will have a tightening and softening effect on the skin, making it look vibrant and healthy too.

Simple honey cleansing water: 
(for a truly deep-down cleanse) dissolve two tablespoons of honey into a litre (or two pints) of warm water and splash over the face and neck for up to 10 minutes then rinse with warm water. 

Lemon face pack (for oily skin): Whisk together a tablespoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of set honey and two egg whites then spread all over the face. Relax for 20 minutes while the ingredients work to clean and sooth your skin before rinsing with warm water. Pat dry.

Oatmeal face pack (for dry or dull skin):
Mix one egg yolk, two tablespoons of clear honey and a handful of fine oatmeal to form a thick paste and massage gently onto the face and neck. Leave for 15-20 minutes then rinse with warm water. 

Intensive hair conditioner:
(This recipe was favoured by Queen Anne in the late 17th/early 18th century) Take 100g/4oz clear honey and 50g/2oz olive oil, mix together thoroughly and massage into damp hair. Wrap your head in a warm towel and relax for 10-15 minutes. Wash hair as normal. 

Beeswax:
Makes an excellent barrier cream, to protect against harsh conditions - mix together a teaspoon of beeswax granules (available from health food shops) with a tablespoon of clear honey, half a teaspoon of olive oil and a few drops of rose essential oil for a soothing, fragrant hand cream.