One Natural Skincare Ingredient To Try This Fall

Whether you're a DIY junkie or a natural skin care addict, it's necessary to switch up your recipes and what ingredients you go for as the seasons change. Which is why there's one natural skin care ingredient you'll definitely want to try this fall: honey. Honey is one of those amazing multi-tasking ingredients that does so much more than simply moisturize or treat your skin. In fact, it does both, all while smelling pretty great. To find out a little bit more about what exactly honey can do for the skin, I emailed with Paula Simpson, holistic nutrition & beauty expert and co-founder of ZSS Skincare Solutions.

When used topically, according to Simpson, "[honey] has a soothing effect on irritated skin and encourages re-epithelialization— a necessary component of wound healing, most often aided by manuka honey." What this means is that not only can honey help calm and moisturize dry and flaky skin, but it can also help heal acne. Since honey is good for all skin types and can treat concerns that often flare up when the seasons change like dryness, irritation, and breakouts, this is one ingredient you'll be happy you incorporated into your skin care routine once the leaves start to change. If you're not quite sure the best way to do that though, here are some different options for adding honey to your regimen — whether you prefer a pre-made concoction or one you can whip up yourself.

1. Honey Mask: Buy

Farmacy Honey Potion, $56, farmacybeauty.com

By letting honey sit on your face a little longer, you can really reap the moisturizing, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties that will all work to help balance your skin.

2. Honey Mask: DIY

While there are seemingly endless options for creating your own honey mask (you can even just use raw honey by itself), one that will help treat problem skin follows this simple recipe from The Nourished Life:

• 3 tsp raw honey
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Together, the antibacterial properties from these ingredients will help calm acne flareups. Just massage the mixture into skin, and leave on for 10 to 30 minutes before rinsing off. Cinnamon can be irritating to really sensitive skin, so those who often experience sensitivity should use a patch test on the wrist before applying all over the face. If you do have sensitivity to this combo, try using manuka honey on its own.

3. Honey Scrub: Buy

Mario Badescu Almond & Honey Face Scrub, $15, nordstrom.com

Keep your skin moisturized while buffing away dead skin cells with a honey-infused facial or body scrub.

4. Honey Scrub: DIY

To DIY your own honey scrub, it doesn't get much simpler than the recipe suggested by The Kitchen McCabe. Simply mix equal parts honey and brown sugar, massage it over your face, and rinse. Plus, this sweet combo smells utterly delicious.

5. Honey Bubble Bath: Buy

The Body Shop Honeymania Bubble Bath Melt, $15, thebodyshop-usa.com

For a moisturizing soak, try honey-infused bubble bath. It will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, fighting off the dryness of fall.

6. Honey Bubble Bath: DIY

If you prefer to DIY your own though, try this recipe from Hello Glow:

• 1/2 cup light almond oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup mild liquid soap
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

After combining all of the ingredients, pour about half a cup under running water, and store the excess in the fridge. This will probably be the most soothing and best-smelling bath you've ever had.

Because when it comes to skincare, there isn't much this miracle ingredient can't do.

Images: Unsplash, weinstock, ckjeziorny, StockSnap/Pixabay; Courtesy of Brands