Water-binders

Honey

INCI: MEL · also Honey

Mostly sugars, which hold water.

drag to turn

C₆H₁₂O₆180.16 g/mol

Fructose

oxygencarbonhydrogen

All products0.62%

In shampoos1.6%

In face moisturisers1.4%

In lip products0.90%

92 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 501 of all the names found on their labels.

A thick, supersaturated solution of mostly two sugars, fructose and glucose, with small amounts of proteins, vitamins, enzymes and minerals.
SourceHide

Honey is a bee-derived, supersaturated solution composed mainly of fructose and glucose, and containing proteins and amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and other minor components.[1] Review · 2013 · open source

Officially, to condition skin. Makers also use it to hold water (a humectant), to soften skin and to condition hair.
2 sourcesHide

All of these ingredients are reported to function in cosmetics as skin-conditioning agents.[2] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2025 · open source
In cosmetic formulations, it exerts emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair conditioning effects[1] Review · 2013 · open source

Honey, including medical-grade honey, is used to dress wounds and burns. That is a different use from cosmetics, where it usually makes up 1 to 10% of the product.
skin3 sourcesHide

Honey is particularly suitable as a dressing for wounds and burns[1] Review · 2013 · open source
medical-grade honey is also available[1] Review · 2013 · open source
The used amounts range between 1 and 10%[1] Review · 2013 · open source
We found no controlled study of what honey does at the amounts used in cosmetics.
Not knownskin

Honey can carry impurities, notably pesticides and endotoxins, so makers must control them. The US panel concluded honey ingredients are safe as used.
Well established2 sourcesHide

Because impurities, particularly pesticides and endotoxins, may be present in these ingredients, formulators should continue to use good manufacturing practices to monitor and limit these possible impurities.[2] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2025 · open source
The Panel concluded the honey-derived ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.[2] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2025 · open source

On the skin’s surface, where its sugars hold water.

Some evidenceSourceHide

humectant[1] Review · 2013 · open source

No EU limit: it is not on the regulation’s lists of banned or restricted substances, preservatives or UV filters.
How we checkedHide

We searched Annexes II to VI of the EU regulation (consolidated text of 18 May 2026): no entry.open the list

Not on the FDA’s list of prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients. In the US, cosmetics and their ingredients (other than colour additives) don’t need FDA approval before sale.
SourceHide

Under U.S. law, cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market[3] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
We searched the FDA’s list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients: no entry.open the list

Usually 1 to 10%, up to 70% in special formulas.
SourceHide

The used amounts range between 1 and 10%, but concentrations up to 70% can be reached[1] Review · 2013 · open source

Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review Burlando B et al., Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2013Review
Safety Assessment of Honey-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics International journal of toxicology, 2025US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel
Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics | FDA US Food and Drug Administration

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.