Salt and honey may seem unlikely beauty aids but both have been tried and tested by models and Models Direct staff, with fantastic results, so we thought we’d tell you about them. If you follow the directions given we hope that you too will experience their benefits.

Links to further information about each ingredient have been provided for your interest.
As with any product we would suggest a patch test to ensure that you are not allergic to Manuka honey or Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate).

Rejuvenating and healing Manuka Honey face masks:

You will need: Manuka Honey with a UMF of at least 12+ (available at health food shops)
Approx. cost: £20 for 500g (provides approx. 20 masks)

Models Direct recommend trying Manuka Honey facemasks for:

Exfoliation, rejuvenation and softening of the facial skin.
Healing blemishes, acne or small wounds.

Honey masks are best tried in the bath, for obvious reasons.
Apply a thin layer of honey directly to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
If honey gets into the eyes rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Leave the honey on your skin for as long as possible and rinse with warm water before you leave the bath. You should find that your skin is soft and glowing.

Why Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey contains a naturally occurring active ingredient, which makes it anti-viral and anti-bacterial. This component is known as UMF. It’s stable and doesn’t lose its potency when diluted or exposed to heat or light, which is what makes it so special.

Manuka Honey tastes great and is worth trying on your toast or in a drink to help ward off colds and other viruses, but it also has fantastic healing properties when used on the skin. Apparently this is due Manuka’s high sugar content, which creates a waterless environment where any bacteria infecting a wound are unable to survive. Also – thanks to the presence of an enzyme called glucose oxidase – it’s acidic, which adds to its unique antibacterial properties.

Research suggests that Manuka Honey may also help to soothe gastro-intestinal disorders such as acid reflux, IBS and stomach ulcers, treat MRSA and heal burns and scars.

More on Manuka honey.

Epsom Salt baths – for relaxation and detox:

You will need: 1kg Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate)
(Available from good chemists)
Approx. cost: £3 total

Models Direct recommend trying Epsom baths for:

Relaxation and mild detoxification.
Healing blemishes, acne or small wounds.
Softening of the skin.

Dissolve your Epsom salts into a warm bath.
For best results avoid using bath foam or any other man-made products in the bath.
Soak for as long as possible, preferably using a loofah to encourage circulation and absorption into the skin. Your skin should soon feel super-soft.
Follow your bath by wrapping up in something warm – preferably a heated robe – relax and drink lots of water.

Why Epsom Salts?

Epsom baths enhance relaxation and soothe aches and pains (due to absorption of magnesium sulphate through the skin, which is said to regulate serotonin levels)
Magnesium sulphate is also rumoured to draw toxins out of the skin.

Research suggests that magnesium sulphate may also help:
– Heal blemishes or acne and other minor wounds
– Soothe shingles and herpes
– Dehydrate boils, carbuncles and abscesses
– Relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia and osteoporosis
– Aid in the management of asthma
– Aid in the treatment of eclampsia
– As a laxative

More on Epsom salts.

Please note;

Treat your Epsom bath as you would any salt water:
– Do not have an Epsom bath if you have any large open wounds, as they will sting in the same way that they would in salt water.
– Do not ingest your bath water!
– Avoid contact with eyes
– The detoxifying action of the magnesium may cause you to sweat out toxins after your bath. This is harmless and should be so mild that most people will not even notice it.