Why You Should Put a Drop of Honey in Your Shampoo

Luxury brands and expensive products dominate the haircare space. But what if we told you that the best product for healthy hair may actually be sitting in your kitchen cabinet? We’re talking about honey, which is an excellent supplement for any hair-washing routine. Honey’s smooth texture and nutrient-rich composition encourage healthy hair and restore vibrancy to those frazzled locks. Just be careful not to overdo it, as you only need to add a single drop of honey to your normal shampoo to have lustrous locks in no time. Here are some ways that honey may benefit your hair.

Tips for Proper Use

Before talking about the potential benefits, let’s discuss proper use. It’s best to choose raw, organic honey without any added flavors or unnatural ingredients. Keep a bottle of honey right next to your shampoo in the shower. Then add a pea-sized drop of honey to your normal amount of shampoo, mix it all, and thoroughly lather it into your hair. Avoid adding too much honey, as that’ll make the solution far too sticky. Make this a part of your daily washing routine, and you’ll notice stronger, brighter hair in no time.

Another method you can consider is doing a weekly or biweekly honey hair mask. Mix a half cup of honey with a quarter cup of olive oil, apply to your hair with a clean and soft brush, and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before washing out. This too will restore vibrancy and strength to your hair, and here’s why.

Hair Growth

Honey has been proven to encourage cell growth and is sometimes used to help heal wounds due to its antibacterial properties. It stands to reason that these restorative benefits also apply to the scalp, as honey can be used to heal damaged skin cells and hair follicles. Though nothing is definitive, theories suggest that honey may stifle hair loss and promote growth. Just be patient; it may take several weeks to notice any differences.

Extra Moisture

Honey is considered a humectant, a substance that preserves moisture. In other words, it effectively acts as a natural hair conditioner. Adding honey to shampoo helps bind the shower water to your hair, which keeps your hair moist for longer periods. Honey is also full of nutrients and minerals — those, too, get bound to your hair and contribute to better hair health.

Boosted Shine

The dense and sticky texture of honey helps smooth out frizzy hair strands and restores some of the natural, sleek texture. This, coupled with added moisture levels, makes hair look shinier and more vibrant. Honey can also draw water molecules out of the air and keep hair looking moist even hours after you’ve stepped out of the shower.

Healthier Scalp

Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which can contribute to a healthier scalp. The healthier your scalp is, the less likely you’ll deal with unsightly skin conditions like dandruff. Much like honey moisturizes hair, it also moisturizes the skin on your head, which can lessen redness and itchiness. Its antibacterial nature also makes honey a soothing force for people with uncomfortable skin ailments such as eczema.

Lighter Color

Honey naturally lightens your hair in a far less damaging way than harsher chemical solutions like bleach. That’s because honey is rich in glucose and glucose oxidase, the latter of which is an enzyme that breaks down the former. This process leaves behind hydrogen peroxide, a compound many salons use to lighten hair. Letting honey sit on your hair for an extended period helps balance out the melanin pigment responsible for hair color, resulting in a lighter color overall.

Less Breakage and Tangles

Adding extra moisture levels, honey lessens the risk of damage and tangled hair. The smoother your hair is, the less likely it is to clump up and get caught, resulting in unsightly breakage. This can be especially beneficial for people with naturally curly or textured hair, as honey helps keep the hair from becoming matted.

Hair Products With Honey

If you’d rather not get your hands messy by mixing honey and shampoo yourself, don’t worry, as plenty of honey-infused shampoos are on the market. Popular brands like Garnier make their own brand of honey shampoo that aims to achieve all of the benefits listed above. For an elevated experience, try the luxury Japanese brand &honey. They’re known for their high-quality shampoos infused with honey, royal jelly, argan oil, and many other restorative natural ingredients.