Honey

INCI Name

Honey (Mel)

Botanical Name

None

Honey (Mel) is a natural humectant and nutrient-rich substance produced by bees. Used for centuries in skincare, it hydrates, soothes, and provides antioxidant benefits. Its natural sugars help retain moisture, making it ideal for dry, sensitive, and mature skin.

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Primary Function
Humectant
Add'l Function
Antioxidant
Scent Profile
Sweet
Mild
Honey-Like
Is It Natural?
100% Natural
Formulate with Confidence

Botanical Building Blocks for Every Blend

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Skin Type Suitability

All
Dry
Sensitive
Mature
Blemish-Prone
Considered Safe for Teens
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Typical Product Use

Humectant, moisturizer, soothing agent, antioxidant, fragrance

Product Type(s):

Mask
Cream
Lotion
Balm
Cleanser
Toner
Serum

Typical Usage Range:

1–10% in emulsions; up to 100% in masks and spot treatments

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Supportive Qualities

Provides hydration, soothes irritation, supports wound healing, antioxidant properties, traditionally used in skin poultices and balms

Primary Components:

Fructose, glucose, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, enzymes

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Important to Know

Rare allergic reactions (especially in those with bee or pollen allergies); avoid in infants under 12 months for ingestion (not topical use)

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Sourcing Tips

Preferred Extraction Method:

Harvesting and filtration of honeycomb

Prefer raw, unheated honey to preserve enzymes and nutrients; Manuka honey valued for higher antibacterial activity; organic sourcing preferred

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More information*

Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:

Cosmetics Info
Cosmetic Ingredient Review
EWG's Skin Deep
INCIDecoder
SkinSAFE
SpecialChem

*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.