Honey

A natural history

Honey is among the oldest treasures of both the kitchen and the dressing table, prized for beauty since the earliest civilizations. The ancient Egyptians blended it into ointments to care for the skin, and by beloved legend Queen Cleopatra kept her complexion soft and radiant with baths of milk and honey, a story so enduring it has carried honey's name for tenderness across the centuries.

Honey holds a quiet marvel inside it: it essentially never spoils. Archaeologists opening ancient Egyptian tombs have found sealed pots of honey thousands of years old, still perfectly preserved, thanks to its very low water content and gentle natural chemistry. The same qualities that keep honey timeless, its love of moisture and its soothing nature, are exactly what make it so kind to skin.

What it does for your skin

Honey is a natural humectant, a substance that draws and holds moisture, with soothing and antioxidant qualities. A cosmetic dermatology review describes honey in skin care as an emollient and humectant that softens and soothes the skin, with antioxidant activity among its benefits.^[1] A further review highlights honey's antioxidant and moisturizing nature and its long, gentle history in skin care.^[2] In a formula honey helps skin look hydrated, soft, and soothed, a simple, timeless comfort.

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