Two things that I want to share:

1. For the last couple of months I have been washing my face with HONEY!

2. Bee Pollen.  You want it in your life.

A couple months back I was running out of my facial cleanser and to be honest, I was over it.  It was just, meh.  Not bad, but I like to use products that I really LOVE and am over the moon about.   I was researching online and in stores to find a CLEAN cleanser to try next.  I read so many rave reviews about May Lindstrom’s line, especially the Clean Dirt via No More Dirty Looks (my go to for all things Clean Beauty) and other Clean bloggers and sites.   I was almost ready to dole at the $60 to try it myself, but I of course I was hoping to find something more affordable.

On one of my regular stops to the No More Dirty Looks page, I read about how one reader used honey as her facial cleanser.  I was surprised and interested so searched around the web to find quite a few blogs stating the same thing.  I had honey in my pantry, so figured why not try it.  I swear to you I woke up the next day with different skin.  My pores had shrunk, I had no redness, and a nice glow.

I searched around and or course people preached that Manduka honey was the best to use, but it is also the most expensive.  At $30 and up, I chose to just purchase some organic, local, raw honey from my local farmers market.  To read more about the discussion of types of honey check out this post.  I am still getting comments on my skin from friends and strangers and I know I have the honey to thank!  Oh and FYI, I have sensitive, problem skin with old acne scars and the honey is evening all of that out.

Some tips: Buy raw and local if you can find it. Moisten your hands with warm water, then squirt or scoop a quarter size dollop into your hands, rubbing them both together to warm the honey.  Be mindful that when washing your face it may drip down your arms and get into your hairline.  So, post washing, wipe down arms and hairline.

Also, you can keep the honey on your face for a few minutes to let the properties sink in.  Honey is a natural antioxidant,  antimicrobial, and anti-bacterial.   Some people talk about adding in scrub ingredients like oatmeal to help remove makeup, or they advise to wipe your face with coconut or jojoba oil first before cleaning with honey to get the extra makeup off.  I have been playing around with that, too, but most days I don’t have much makeup on so the honey alone works for me.

On to Bee Pollen!

Bee Pollen has been a regular in my green shakes for at least 5 years now.  Wow, time flies.  Bee pollen is chock full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, and it is a complete protein (meaning that protein is readily available to the body with no processing)

Again, the best place to purchase is at your local farmer’s market or other local source, but there are plenty of great brands available in the health food stores that are not local.  Using local honey products can also help with airbourne allergies fyi.

Along with putting bee pollen in my shakes, I love to use it as a topper for yogurt, granola, apples with nut butter, or just on its own for a quick energy and vitamin boost. Kimberly Snyder recommends Bee Pollen and Coconut Oil together for Energy in a Spoon, in her Beauty Detox Foods Book and this combo has become a new favorite of mine, too.
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Have you tried washing your face with honey?  Do you have any fun uses for bee pollen?  Share!