Glossary
A skincare ingredient that attracts and retains moisture from the surrounding environment, drawing water to the skin's surface. Raw honey is one of the oldest known natural humectants.
Humectants are hygroscopic, meaning they have a natural affinity for water. When applied to skin, they draw moisture from two sources: the humid air around you and the deeper layers of your skin (the dermis). This pulled moisture is deposited into the outer layer (the epidermis), plumping and hydrating skin cells from within.
This mechanism is why humectants are most effective in environments with moderate to high humidity. In very dry climates, a humectant used alone can actually pull moisture out of your skin because there is not enough ambient humidity to draw from. This is where combining humectants with occlusives like beeswax becomes important: the humectant attracts moisture, and the occlusive seals it in.
Honey has been used in skincare and wound care for thousands of years, long before anyone understood the chemistry behind it. Its humectant properties come from its high sugar content, particularly fructose, and its naturally low pH. When honey is applied to skin, it draws moisture to the area and creates a mildly acidic environment that supports skin health.
Ancient Egyptians used honey in face masks. Greek physicians applied it to wounds. Modern research has confirmed that medical-grade honey, particularly Manuka honey, can accelerate wound healing and reduce bacterial infection. While our raw honey is a food product, not a medical product, the fundamental molecular properties that make honey a powerful humectant are present in every jar.
Understanding these three categories is the key to understanding skincare formulation. Humectants (honey, glycerin, hyaluronic acid) attract water. Emollients (shea butter, cocoa butter, plant oils) soften and smooth the skin surface. Occlusives (beeswax, petrolatum, lanolin) form a barrier that prevents moisture loss. The most effective formulations combine all three.
Our lotion bars and body butters do exactly this. Shea butter and coconut oil act as emollients, beeswax acts as an occlusive, and the natural properties of the beeswax and any residual honey compounds contribute mild humectant effects. The result is a product that softens, moisturizes, and protects in a single application.
Yes. Honey is a natural humectant that draws moisture to the skin. It has been used in skincare for thousands of years. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it especially beneficial for sensitive or compromised skin.
A humectant is a specific type of ingredient that attracts moisture. A moisturizer is a product that may contain humectants, emollients, and occlusives working together. Most effective moisturizers combine all three to attract, deliver, and seal in moisture.
In very dry climates or heated indoor environments, a humectant used alone can pull moisture from deeper skin layers rather than from the air. This is why humectants work best when paired with an occlusive like beeswax that locks moisture in.
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