As part of a whole week of bee-related tips, recipes and other fun, today, I’d like to focus on honey as a beauty product.

In other words, putting the stuff on your face and trying to explain that to your children.

It can be an interesting conversation to have with a 3-year-old who thinks you look a little scary, walking around with sticky/chunky goo on your face.

But in recent weeks, I have tried various honey beauty treatments and I must say, they are worth the gentle ribbing of a pre-schooler.

For thousands of years honey has been considered a beauty product. Honey’s ability to attract and help your skin retain moisture makes it especially helpful this time of year, when the weather is changing and seems to get dryer every day.

Honey also has anti-microbial properties, which makes it helpful in treating acne. A dot of honey on a pimple can be a good home remedy for mild acne because honey does not dry your skin, but does inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Honey is also touted as being good for your hair, but after The Great Scrambled Egg Hair Fiasco of 2008, I generally keep food products out of my hair, save for the ocassional avocado.

Here is what I do like to do with honey:

Honey Facial Scrub: Mix 1/3 cup honey with 2 tablespoons coarsly ground oats. Apply as a face mask. Use warm water and wash cloth to remove by scrubbing gently. (This is the sticky/chunky goo mentioned above.)

Honey Bath: Add a small amount (about 3-4 tablespoons) of honey to a warm bath.

Honey Skin Soother: Before showering, mix 1 tablespoon honey, one tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a small bowl. Apply mixture to dry spots on skin (like elbows or even hands). Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off in a warm shower.

Honey Lip Balm: Mix equal parts honey and olive oil. Apply to dry lips.

Do you use honey as part of a beauty routine? What is your favorite honey-based beauty recipe? Please share it in the comments!

Important note: Please use common sense caution. If you are allergic to honey or have had problems with it in the past, these skin care tips are probably not for you. And remember honey is generally not thought to be safe for young babies.