5 Honey-Based Beauty Products To Ring In The Jewish New Year

Image by gitarus/istockphoto

By Michelle Honig September 6, 2018

The Jewish New Year brings with it many things — things like fall, and crunchy leaves and crisp air that provides a welcome, cooling respite from summer heat. But it also brings something particularly sweet and heavenly to mind, something that in many ways is a defining factor of the holy day. We’re talking about, of course, honey.

And perhaps the most amazing thing about honey is not how delicious it makes food tastes, but its multi-hyphenate usage. It’s like the “Renaissance man” of ingredients, with its magical ability to make your skin look and feel great.

“Honey and its extracts, like royal jelly, are high in antioxidants and nutrients,” New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Kristina Goldenberg of Goldenberg Dermatology Group told Today.com. “Royal jelly is a substance secreted need to feed the queen bees and is rich in proteins, lipids, nutrients and vitamins. Some anecdotal evidence exists that its application can help with appearance of fine wrinkles and lines, stretch marks and acne blemishes.”

Here are 7 of the best honey-infused beauty products to consider, in honor of the Jewish New Year:

For Lips:

Image by Sephora.com

You may be a dedicated sunscreen slatherer, but you’ve likely ignored protecting your lips. And, after a summer spent sweating, sunbathing and sandy, your pucker probably could use a little TLC. This honey-based lip balm from First Aid contains propolis, which is the resin-like material that bees produce from mixing their saliva with beeswax and botanical secretions. Sounds gross, but repairs all that damage you’ve incurred upon your pout.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm, $20, dermstore.com

For Eyes:

Image by sokoglam.com

All those lazy summer days spent squinting up into the blazing sun can take a toll on the delicate skin around the eyes. Target those fine lines that have been steadily developing from your sun worshipping with this royal jelly and honey-based eye cream from Korean skincare brand Skinfood.

For Body:

Image by bloomingdales.com

Ever wondered what it would be like to bathe in a vat of rich, viscous honey? The sweet aroma wafting around you, the syrupy substance languidly caressing your body. Sounds a lot like heaven — the kind of place you want God to write you down for in the New Year. This bath emulsion from Laura Mercier does exactly that — it’s like the adult, luxe take on the bubble bath. And, as if to underscore its honey-based ingredients, it comes with a cylindrical Winnie-the-Pooh-esque wooden dipper.

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Honey Bath, $45, saksfifthavenue.com

For Smell:

Image by neimanmarcus.com

Speaking of aromas, honey evokes the kind of scent that is sweet, succulent and absolutely delicious. Combined with nectarines and peaches, topped with some light notes of fresh spring flowers, this fragrance from Jo Malone London will make you smell like a seraphic nectar at your Rosh Hashanah temple service.

Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom and Honey Cologne, $136, sephora.com

For Face:

Image by Sephora.com

If you’ve never used a sheet mask as a part of your beauty routine, have you ever really lived? Especially when it’s a sheet mask that packs a punch. In addition to honey, which is used for its hydrating and skin soothing benefits, this sheet mask from Karuna has other food-ish ingredients like shiso to prevent acne and ginger to kill bacteria. Kind of like a Rosh Hashanah seder plate, but for your face.

Karuna Clarifying+ Face Mask, $8 for one sheet mask, sephora.com

Michelle Honig is the style writer at the Forward. Contact her at honig@forward.com and Twitter.

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