Honey for Hair: The Sweet Benefits and At-Home Treatments

For centuries, honey has been used by many cultures around the world for its potential benefits in beauty and overall well-being. Did you know about the benefits of using honey for hair? It's packed with essential enzymes, nutrients, and antioxidants. Because of honey properties, many brands have started incorporating honey as an ingredient in their hair care products. Read on to learn about the potential benefits of honey for hair and how to add it to your hair care routine for the best results.

Is honey good for your hair?

This delicious syrup can be beneficial for your hair. Honey is a natural humectant and an emollient. This makes it a fantastic hair conditioner. It attracts moisture to the hair and locks it in to ensure lasting hydration. Honey is also a natural antioxidant and antibacterial, so it may help keep your scalp healthy. More than that, it's also rich in minerals and vitamins, so using it for your hair may leave your strands looking shinier.

Benefits of honey for hair

Honey is also referred to as liquid gold by so many people. It's a popular ingredient in DIY recipes and beauty products because of its potential cosmetic benefits. Here are some of them:

1. Moisturizes and conditions your hair

Honey is a humectant and an emollient. The humectant properties make honey a great natural moisturizer for your hair. It attracts moisture, keeping your hair soft and hydrated. The emollient properties in honey usually provide a protective barrier for your hair that also contributes to moisturizing it, leaving it looking supple and soft.

2. Promotes hair growth

Rich in essential nutrients and antioxidants, applying honey may strengthen your hair follicles and support hair growth. Also, using honey for hair may help revitalize your scalp by killing bacteria that affect hair growth. However, further research is needed to support its effectiveness in the hair growth journey.

3. Fights dandruff

Dandruff is quite common. The exact causes of dandruff are unknown, but antifungal and antibacterial ingredients are recommended to support it. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, honey may help fight dandruff and itchiness.

4. Adds shine and luster

If your hair is dry or direct sun exposure has made it look lifeless, then using honey for hair can bring back that lost shine. Honey's sticky nature may help provide a natural softness. It also locks in moisture and helps bring back luster and shine to dull and lifeless hair.

5. May reduce hair breakage

Most of us usually deal with hair breakage on a regular basis. That can be very frustrating if you're trying to grow your hair. Honey keeps your hair smooth and conditioned by sealing in moisture. This may make your hair more resistant to breakage and split ends, allowing it to grow longer and stronger.

6. Promotes a healthy scalp

Keeping your scalp healthy is an essential part of having healthy hair. Dirt, oil, and even buildup from hair products can make this difficult. Using honey helps remove buildup and dirt that can block your hair follicles.

How to use honey for your hair

There are a few ways you can use honey for hair. Premade options are one way to use honey. They are great if you are short on time or don't want to follow a recipe. For the best results, try looking for hair products that use raw honey instead of processed honey.

Below are some of the best products infused with honey for hair that you can incorporate into your hair routine.

• Shampoo. Go for shampoos that contain honey. Honey can gently cleanse and moisturize the scalp and hair. Look for gentle and sulfate-free formulas to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils.
• Honey-infused conditioners. Hair conditioners containing honey can add a boost of moisture to the hair scalp, keeping it hydrated and balanced.
• Honey-infused hair oil. These oils usually come in travel-sized containers, and you can use them on wet or dry hair, perfect for on-the-go. Honey-infused oil can strengthen hair, control frizz, and add shine.
• Hair mask. Using a honey hair mask is a good way to keep your hair nourished. A honey hair mask can soften, smooth, and moisturize your hair. Just apply the mask once a week after shampooing your hair.

Beyonce's haircare brand

Beyonce is the recent celebrity to join the hair care trend with a new hair care brand, Cécred. Cécred incorporates honey in some of its products. One of the most popular products in their collection is the 'Reconstructing Treatment Mask,' as it is currently the only product that uses bioactive keratin ferment. The key ingredients include:

• Bioactive keratin ferment. This is a fermented blend that contains lactobacillus, hydrolyzed wool keratin, and honey.
• Sea buckthorn oil. An oil packed with antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E.
• Hydrolyzed rice. A fortifying protein that supports hair breakage and split ends.
• Squalene. An emollient that adds shine to hair.

While these ingredients have beneficial properties that may address different hair care needs, more research is essential for this ingredient combination.

Homemade honey hair treatments

The beneficial effects of honey can be combined with other powerful ingredients that support hair health. Below are some cheap and easy honey hair mask ideas. The recipes only include ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Honey and yogurt hair mask

The protein in yogurt may help promote strong and healthy hair. Yogurt can also work as a moisturizer and may help reduce signs of hair damage, such as dryness.

1. In a bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt with one tablespoon of honey.
2. Apply this mask to clean damp hair from the scalp to the ends.
3. Leave it for about 20–30 minutes.
4. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo followed by a conditioner as you normally do.

Honey and olive oil hair mask

Olive oil is an excellent addition to honey if you are looking for ways to make your hair softer and shinier. Olive oil is also a source of vitamin E, which can help strengthen the hair and regenerate follicles. It also contains emollients, which can soften your hair and make it appear silkier.

1. Mix two tablespoons of honey with two tablespoons of olive oil.
2. Dampen your hair.
3. Apply the mixture to your hair, starting at the roots and working your way to the tips.
4. Leave it on for 30–45 minutes.
5. Wash it out with a gentle shampoo followed by your conditioner as normal.

Honey hair rinse

A honey hair rinse is a simple, quick, and effective addition to your shower routine. This rinse will add moisture to your hair follicles and help restore shine and luster to dry or dull hair.

1. Mix half a cup of water and two tablespoons of honey.
2. Stir well until dissolved.
3. After you shampoo and condition your hair, apply the honey rinse over your hair.
4. Massage it into the scalp and hair gently, and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
5. Rinse your hair with water to get rid of any residue.

Aloe vera and honey hair mask

Aloe vera has plenty of benefits for both your skin and hair. It's rich in fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and essential amino acids. Both aloe vera and honey are natural conditioners, so when you combine both of them, it becomes an effective hair care solution.

1. Mix two tablespoons of aloe vera gel with two tablespoons of honey.
2. Apply the mixture to clean and damp hair.
3. Leave it on your hair for 30 minutes.
4. Wash off with warm water and regular shampoo and conditioner.

Side effects of honey on hair

Honey is safe for most people to use. Unless you are allergic to honey or bee products, there are no known side effects of using honey for hair. You should do a patch test first to see how your scalp will react. If you know you're allergic to honey, contact a dermatologist before you start using honey for hair.

Honey is a natural ingredient that comes with many potential benefits for your hair. Honey is great for moisturizing, softening, nourishing hair, and providing luster and shine. Moreover, its antioxidant and antibacterial properties may help reduce dandruff and itchy scalp. You can either buy honey-based products or make your own DIY honey masks. With all these benefits combined, honey truly has amazing properties that may help support overall hair condition.