The Harrods Self-Care Guide to Honey

Words by Heidi Lauth Beasley & Nateisha Scott


In case you haven’t heard, honey is having a serious moment. It’s been a natural healer and certified sweetener for generations but now a viral honey haircare brand, Gisou, has garnered over 600 million views on TikTok and beekeepers have become certified day-off style icons. Even David Beckham likes to spend his days in the company of the ultimate wellness influencer – the common bumble bee.


Why all the fuss? Because whether it’s kickstarting your day – and your immune system – on your sourdough in the morning or providing anti-inflammatory skincare properties for a Sunday night self-care session, honey is the most versatile health product of them all. With expert advice from The Wellness Clinic's renowned skin whisperer, Dr Rabia Malik, and Harrods’ go-to nutritionist, Reshma Patel, find out how you can incorporate honey into every step of your self-care routine. Sit back, relax and discover the health benefits of this golden elixir that's stood the test of time.

What Are the Health Benefits of Honey?

According to Harrods’ health nutritionist Reshma Patel, we can all benefit from the sweet ingredient in our diet. “It is one of the most appreciated and valued natural products in health care and, within the context of a balanced diet and lifestyle, it gradually releases blood sugar levels vs natural sugar, acts as a soothing remedy if you’re under the weather and is a healthier alternative to refined sugars,” she explains. It is also worth considering that honey is used in natural Ayurvedic remedies to improve your health after a cold or soothe any coughs irritating your throat.

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Is Honey Good for your Skin?

When it comes to the natural sweetener, the one-pot wonder is a treasure in your beauty regimen. A humectant, antimicrobial, antibacterial and popular for its anti-inflammatory properties, honey is a power player that can transform your skin. “Honey can be integrated into various steps of your skincare routine such as applied topically as a cleanser or at night as a moisturising mask. The many benefits of honey mean that honey-based products can help with dry skin, acne-prone or sensitive skin, as well as with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis,” says Harrods’ practitioner, Dr Rabia Malik.


Our pick based on Dr Rabia’s advice is Foreo’s Manuka Honey UFO Activated Mask. Not only is it infused with the finest manuka honey from New Zealand but, in a mask form, it’s the soothing and nourishing treat you can use morning and evening. Designed to be used with Foreo's UFO 3 device (amplified with thermo-therapy and cryotherapy for optimal ingredient absorption) – available in The Beauty Halls – the mask balances out pH levels, strengthens skin's resilience and leaves skin smooth, soft and naturally radiant.

"Thanks to honey’s antioxidant properties, it can help prevent premature ageing, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overtime."


Dr Rabia Malik

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Does Honey Help your Hair?

As an extension of your skincare routine, honey is equally beneficial for your scalp and tresses. “As a powerful antioxidant, honey has a high tolerance for almost any scalp type,” says Harrods’ Trichologist, Ricardo Vila Nova. “It creates a protective layer that smooths and protects hair without silicones and elements disrupting the hair shaft and again, as a humectant, it hydrates both your hair and scalp, minimising breakage, split ends, frizz and irritation,” he adds.


In need of honey-based products to add to your wash day? Try Gisou’s Honey Infused Scalp Treatment. An overnight scalp soother infused with vitamin enriched Mirsalehi honey and a complex blend of botanical oils (including blackcurrant seed and sunflower oil) to protect and replenish the scalp microbiome, it will help to soothe irritation overall. If you’re after a winning trio then pop the Gisou Hair Wash and Honey Infused Conditioner alongside your overnight scalp treatment in your next wash day.

"For your hair, it has powerful anti-frizz particularities and helps to rebuild elasticity for healthier tresses overall."


Ricardo Vila Nova

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The Sweetest Thing: How to Cook with Honey

One word: versatile. While you might be used to adding honey to pancakes or championing its sweetness for baking, there’s no need to limit honey to the confines of sweet classics. Whether it’s the ever-growing popularity of pre-packaged scotch bonnet and honey medleys from ethically farmed brands like WilderBee or celebrating its delightful stickiness as a healthy binding agent, honey can be as much of a cooking staple as your old faithful condiments – salt and pepper.


“Honey can be paired well to enhance the nutritional quality and taste of many commonly eaten foods such as yogurts, toast, teas, salad dressing, glaze for meats, cooking and baking, roasting and in sauces,” explains Reshma Patel. A gentle reminder – like all sweeteners, honey should still be used in moderation but incorporating it into calming cooking moments (podcast and food prep, anyone?) is a surefire way to enjoy delicious results while caring for your body.

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