Queen Bee Cleanser

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The Greek physician Hippocrates used honey to cure skin disorders. Egyptians treated burns and cuts with this golden nectar. In fact, honey was used as recently as World War I to treat wounds. Today scientists are beginning to rediscover honey's healing properties, while skin and hair care companies charge big bucks by promoting the beauty benefits of the honeybee's bounty. So why not create a little buzz of your own by mixing up this honey of a cleanser right in your very own kitchen?

Ingredients:

• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup sparkling water
• 2 tablespoons Liquid Neutrogena or any light, dye- and fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic facial wash
• Plastic container with soap pump

Directions:

Carefully mix ingredients, blending but not beating, as this will cause soap foam to form. Fill plastic soap dispenser with liquid honey cleanser, and keep by the sink or in the shower. Use a small handful and work into a lather to wash face or body, being careful to avoid eyes as soap may sting. Rinse well with water, spritz with green tea toner and follow with your favorite moisturizer.

Honey is a perfect base for a face and body wash: its high-sugar, low-protein composition makes it a natural antimicrobial that limits the growth of bacteria. The liquid soap (we prefer a pure, hypo-allergenic formula, like Neutrogena) gives you a gentle sudsing action, while sparkling water gives this wash a light, effervescent feel.

We're stuck on this cleanser like Pooh in his honey jar because it smells yummy, works great, and can be used on hands, face, and body! Honey does have a mild bleaching effect, however, so brunettes and those with color-treatments might want to avoid contact with hair.