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We spend hundreds of dollars on skincare products concocted in a laboratory, when nature has already done the work for us-for free. So the next time you want to tighten and refresh, you might want to start at your pantry instead of the medicine cabinet.

According to Aesthetician Christopher Watt from the National Honey Board, "all-natural, chemical free beauty products are becoming popular today today's healthy woman, however you may not be aware that 100 percent pure honey is an ideal beauty agent.

"In fact, honey has been used by some of the world's most notorious beauties. Cleopatra ritualistically bathed in honey and oil and today stars like Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry use honey."

And while honey is a popular ingredient in manufactured beauty products, you can also apply it to directly to your skin or use it in combination with just about anything you can imagine. It's a natural humectant, meaning it has the ability to retain moisture in the skin-so do not hold back, slather it on!

Here are some more ways you can use honey:

Honey has antiseptic or antimicrobial properties, which help kill bacteria. It has a reliably high acidity, or low PH, and a low protein content that deprives skin of the nitrogen needed for bacterial growth. For this reason, many doctors use honey to help heal wounds. In addition, honey's bacteria killing properties make it an ideal acne fighter.

Honey also has the ability to penetrate deep into the under layers of the skin's epidermis allowing for better absorption of beauty products, such as day creams and moisturizers. Research is currently underway to develop a process using honey to create AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids). AHAs are an important ingredient in skin creams and moisturizers as they help exfoliate the skin, however, exfoliation can also cause skin irritation, so honey's moisturizing benefits make it an excellent fit for AHA products.

Make life a little sweeter

We're not about to tout the awesomeness of honey and leave you hanging. Try these easy home recipes for smooth and supple skin using ingredients from your kitchen.

Sweethearts' Chocolate Honey Scrub

– Makes 2 treatments –
Increases circulation and aids in riding body of toxins. Honey provides moisturizing effect as well as fights damaging free radicals.

Ingredients:

6 Tbsp. unsweetened chocolate, grated *

2 cups honey

2 cups kosher salt

1/2 cup grapeseed oil

Directions:
In mixing bowl, combine honey and grapeseed oil. Stir in chocolate and salt mixing completely. Consistency should be grainy and thick. Apply scrub to skin and gently massage all over the body. Remove with warm damp towels or rinse in shower.
* can be substituted for dry cocoa powder

Green Honey Glow Mask

– Makes 2 treatments –
Beautiful glowing skin that feels youthful and tight.

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh spinach

1 cup fresh mint

3 Tbsp. honey

1 piece (1-inch) ginger

1 ripe banana

2 egg whites

Directions:
Rinse spinach thoroughly in colander. Cut and peel ginger, set aside. In food processor or blender combine spinach, mint and ginger. Blend on low setting. Add honey and banana and blend until liquid consistency. Add egg whites, blend until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Transfer to porcelain bowl or glass dish. On clean skin apply a small amount of Green Honey Glow to entire face and neck. Apply using a fan brush or finger tips. Allow to remain on skin for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and apply appropriate moisturizer. * Store covered in refrigerator for up to one week.

Harvest Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask

– Makes 4 treatments –
Pumpkin enzymes dissolve dead skin cells while the cornmeal sweeps them clean. Honey has antimicrobial properties as well as moisturizes and softens. The result is a beautiful glowing complexion! Use this mask as often as you like.

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp. pumpkin puree

1 Tbsp. honey

4 tsp. Cornmeal

2 tsp. aloe vera gel

2 tsp. pineapple, diced

1 tsp. green tea

1/2 tsp. sunflower oil

6 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)

4 drops cinnamon extract (optional)

Directions:
Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. In blender or food processor puree pineapple and place in medium-sized mixing bowl. Add pumpkin, honey and aloe. Mix well. Stir in sunflower oil, green tea and cornmeal. Discard the remaining green tea. Add frankincense and cinnamon. Stir. Apply small amount of pumpkin mask to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck. Massage in circular motions gently buffing skin. Repeat. Apply more product as needed. Leave a thin layer of pumpkin mask on face and neck for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with tepid or cool water and pat dry with soft towel. Follow with appropriate moisturizer. Store remaining mask covered in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Hair Conditioner

Ingredients:

C cup honey

C cup olive oil, use 2 Tbsp. for normal hair

Directions:
Mix honey and olive oil. Work a small amount at a time through hair until covered. Cover hair with shower cap; leave on 30 minutes. remove shower cap; shampoo well and rinse. Dry as normal.

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Source by A. Covington