The 5 best honey beauty products

Honey, £50, Marc Jacobs, available nationwide

As a young'un, a pretty close encounter with a bee nearly killed me, but I've never held it against our honey-producing friends. In fact, I like it not only slathered over hot buttered toast, but as an ingredient in my make-up bag and bathroom cabinet too.

The beauty world is a-buzz with products containing propolis (perhaps best described as a hive insulating material) which is touted for its anti-bacterial, healing abilities. Honey – especially of the Manuka variety – is a popular ingredient too and doesn't have to mean an overly sugary scent.

Lip Magic

£25, charlottetilbury.com

This balm has quite a strong scent, and a bit of a medicinal flavour, but the softening propolis balm actually smoothes away fine lines as well as preventing chapping.

Honeymania soap

£2, thebodyshop.co.uk

This sweetly-shaped soap has a gentle floral fragrance, rather than anything too sugary, thanks to community Fair Trade honey from Ethiopia.

Deep cleansing mask starter kit

£15.75, lizearle.com

Not a very attractive colour – that'll be the green clay – but it works wonders on oily, congested and spotty skin without being overly drying.

Softening hand wash

£26, diptyqueparis.co.uk

This amber nectar infused with lavender honey and rosemary will soften your hands and leave them smelling amazing.

Honey

£50, Marc Jacobs, available nationwide

Spring is a great time to switch to a lighter scent, and this fine floral take on the sweet stuff is suitably refreshing.