When you think of honey, what comes to mind? Is it a sweet drizzle atop your favorite treat? Or do images of cute teddy bear containers run across your head? I think of my great-grandmother making me a big cup of warm water with honey and lemon juice, her cure-all for any ailment.

Turns out there is some truth behind my great grandmother’s home remedy. There are so many benefits to not only eating honey, but also using honey on your skin and body! Are you ready to be surprised by all the amazing powers of honey?

Honey has three main super powers:

1. Honey is a natural humectant: What this means is that honey naturally attracts and retains moisture. Having hydrated skin is important for maintaining that youthful, supple and soft appearance. Also, honey is great for preventing the appearance of scaring on the skin because it preserves moisture while also allowing for new skin tissues to grow. Amazing, right?

Did you know that honey is great for all skin types? Dry or dehydrated skin benefits because honey is the queen of sealing and locking moisture into the skin, oily skin benefits since honey yields moisture without added oil, and sensitive skin benefits since honey is known for having non-irritating properties!

2. Honey is naturally antibacterial: Honey contains a naturally occurring enzyme that prohibits the growth of bacteria. This anti-microbial agent is excellent for preventing and treating minor acne because it goes right to work attacking bacteria while also moisturizing and rejuvenating the skin!

3. Honey is full of antioxidants: Antioxidants are important in combating free-radicals in the body and outside damages from environmental agents like the sun. Antioxidants also help supply nutrients for the growth of new skin tissue!

Here at Ole Henriksen, we put honey in quite a few products like our sugar glow face scrub, our african red tea indulgent body mask, and our micro mini peel kit (step one: almond polish)! Even Cleopatra of Egypt took regular baths where she diluted honey and milk into the water to maintain a youthful appearance. Check out this recipe from Ole’s kitchen for a honey nourishing mask.

Have you ever used honey for anything other

than eating? Share your honey tips in the comments below!

Summer is just around the corner and I don’t know about you, but just the words bathing + suit will send me to the gym a little more than usual! So, I sat down and interviewed Ole to get his special pre/post-gym beauty tips – and I’m going to let you in on all of his special secrets!

Q: Are there any skin recommendations you would give to people prior to their exercise?

A: “Yes. Cleanse your skin prior to a work-out. You never want to exercise with a face full of foundation and heavy make-up. Always exercise with clean skin, a thin layer of eye cream and moisturizer to allow the skin to glow and breathe."

Q: I’ve always wondered, does sweat have any correlation to acne?

A: “No. Acne and perspiring—there is simply no correlation, contrary to popular belief! When you eat a clean and healthy diet and drink plenty of water, you will perspire cleanly and no blemishes will form."

Q: How would you suggest a woman on the go fixes her post-gym hair?

A: “The secret is to always sleek your hair back with a hair gel and pull it back with a little hair tie. The best part about a work-out is that you are left with that beautiful, healthy glow on your skin—that should be the focal point. Your hair may be messed-up, but when you sleek it back the focus will be on the skin. “

Q: Do you lose moisture on the skin from sweating?

A: “You really don’t lose moisture on the surface when you perspire - if anything the perspiration seals in more moisture. But, you will want to get rid of that sticky mantle left on your skin! Splash your face with cold water and that will remove the uncomfortable feeling. Then you’ll want to mist your face with pick me up face tonic and apply a thin layer of moisturizer.”

Q: What do you recommend for dry, oily and combination skin after a work-out?

A: “Here’s what I would recommend:

Dry Skin typically doesn’t tend to perspire as regularly when working out, but gets uncomfortably sticky. All you’ll maybe want to do is mist with african red tea face mist and then apply herbal day crème or skin insulator crème – both with SPF.

Oily skin should always splash the face with cold water, apply grease relief skin tonic with a cotton swab because they tend to have more of a greasy mantle, then apply sheer transformation crème because it’s oil free and extremely light in texture.

Combination skin should be splashing with cool water as well – mist your face with pick me up face tonic followed by herbal day crème.

For all skin types, splashing your face with water is key and so is misting with a toner!”

Q: What are your tips for maximizing fat-burning and toxin release?

A: “The greatest way to maximize toxin release and to burn fat is any kind of cardio-based exercise that increases your heart beat such as: Running, dancing, jumping rope, roller-blading, or making love.”

So, there you have it! Those are some of Ole Henriksen’s insider tips on how to keep you looking your best - both while you’re at the gym and after your work-out all summer long! Do you have any special things you do? We’d love to hear them!

With Valentine's day just weeks away, it's time to start thinking about what to get that special someone. According to Ole, one of the key elements to having a long lasting relationship is never take your other half for granted. "Make sure you notice each other every day and pay each other compliments each day," says Ole. "Start each day off by giving each other a nice hug and kiss before going your separate ways." One way to show your partner you care is by treating them to stress-free day of pampering. Flowers and candy will only last a few weeks, so give her a gift that keeps on giving. Create your own personalized kit with these perfect pairings. Learn how to mix and match Ole's favorites below!

Gift Guide - For Her

african red tea exotic body scrub and clarifying body wash ($89)

These two make a perfect pair for a soothing body treatment at home. She can use the body scrub to give herself a head to toe glow and follow with our soothing and softening clarifying body wash. Add a little of the body wash in her next bath for a luxurious bubble bath.

sugar glow face scrub and feel the difference face mask ($73)

If she's a beauty buff, she'll love being one of the first to try this delicious scrub made with organic sugar, honey and pomegranate seeds. It is the perfect match for our feel the difference face mask, which cools, firms and hydrates skin with the antioxidant power of african red tea. She'll be able to enjoy a mini facial at home anytime!

lavender body oil and body sleek ($56)

Pamper the woman you love most with a romantic lavender massage. Apply the lavender body oil and then finish with our hydrating body sleek for a truly relaxing and skin pampering massage. "The aromas are beautiful, and it’s something both of you can enjoy together,” says Ole.

Gift Guide - For Him

loofah body scrub and muscle comfort lotion ($58)

Give the man in your life the gift of smooth skin all over his body. He'll love the mentholated scrub and lotion to soothe his tired muscles at the end of a long day. “It's a perfect combo for fatigued muscles and dry, rough skin," says Ole.

walnut complexion scrub and all purpose aloe vera gel ($54)

Our walnut face scrub is perfect for dislodging ingrown hairs associated with shaving. A Jack Nicholson favorite and perfect pairing, all purpose aloe vera gel is perfect for men because it's oil-free formula is packed with natural ingredients that protect skin that is prone to oil and visible pores. Aloe vera reduces redness and calms the skin, while spirolina (a micro algae) kills bacteria and increases circulation. This duo makes the perfect gift for relieving dryness and irritation associated with shaving.

clean shave and pick me up face mist ($49)

Improve his grooming routine with a natural foaming shaving gel and after shave toner. “Clean shave will help enhance his masculine look and allow him to get a nice clean shave every time,” says Ole. "Pick me up works well as an after shave to tighten pores and prevent ingrown hairs without the overdrying effects."

There’s truth to the term “beauty sleep.” Most of us know that sleep is crucial to our mental and physical health, but it doesn’t stop there. Lack of sleep has a powerful affect on our skin. “Sleep is vital in order to regenerate and recharge every organ in the body including the skin,” says Ole. “You simply don’t function at your optimum level.” Luckily, you can do something about it! Read on for Ole’s tips for better sleep and better skin!

1. Go to bed early and give yourself a consistent bedtime. “If you don’t allow yourself the time to get proper rest, you will tend to feel more fatigued and more on edge during the day,” says Ole.
2. Always eat balanced, wholesome healthy foods. “Learn to make amazing meals and when you eat out, pick foods that are good for you and taste good,” he says. “This will help the renewal process of your skin from the inside out.”
3. Keep alcohol consumption at a minimum. “If you have a glass of wine it’s not a big deal, but as with everything, moderation is key,” says Ole.
4. Exercise daily, even just a little bit. “You need to use your body during the day,” he says. “If you are getting lots of oxygen each day, you pass out and sleep really well.”
5. Have a nice soothing warm drink before bed. Choose caffeine free drinks like African red tea, chamomile or even warm milk with some honey.
6. Express your gratitude every night. “As part of expressing gratitude for being part of this world, send out a little prayer to your god or to the universe,” he says. “Just be thankful for all the blessings you have.” Check out Ole’s tips for being more grateful.
7. Never take pills to go to sleep. If you think you need pills, ask yourself what you might need to change in your life to feel more rested and rejuvenated each and every day. Choose natural treatments and improve your routine instead.
8. Remember your nightly skin care routine. Make skin care a necessary part of your bedtime routine. Like brushing your teeth, your skin care regimen is an absolute must. Don’t have a routine yet? Find your personal skin care routine and read more about how to get healthy skin in your sleep.

Rather than paying for a monthly gym fee, Ole prefers to stay in shape by working out against his own body weight. “People think you need a trainer or a gym membership, but you don’t,” says Ole. “I live in the Hollywood Hills and I see major movie stars out running with their dogs. Even the rich and famous stay in shape without expert help.”

Depending on his schedule, he prefers to do a 20-40 minute workout on a consistent basis.

“As an adult, I’ve learned exercise provides new energy of our health and our looks,” says Ole. People of any age or body type can pick up his easy to maintain work out routine that involves a lot of stretching and doing push ups and sit ups to tone your muscles. What does Ole do for cardio you may ask?“I put on my favorite music and dance!”

If you don’t have the time to make it to the spa this holiday season, Ole has a great saltwater soak that is perfect for treating tired and fatigued muscles.

Blend a pint of epsom salts into a warm tub of water, add a half ounce of eucalyptus essential oil and three ounces of almond oil and stir. The natural fats from the almond oil will help restore and protect your skins surface making it soft to the touch. Allow the eucalyptus aroma to blanket around you and breathe in its soothing scent. Don’t forget to roll a hand towel under your neck so you can soak comfortably.

There’s nothing wrong with putting on some tranquil music, but according to Ole, a little quiet time might be even better, “We don’t always need to have an iPod stuck in our ears. As human beings, we have a need for peace and quiet,” he says. “So much creativity flows and so many answers come to us in those moments of quiet.” Light some candles to create a calm and quiet ambience.

Thanksgiving is much more than turkey and stuffing, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the good things in life and show gratitude toward the people we love. When life begins to get hectic just before the holidays, it’s not always easy to remember what we have to be thankful for, but Thanksgiving is a pleasant reminder for us to look at the positive aspects of life. Personally, I’m thankful for my health, my wonderful partner Laurence and having family and friends that I truly cherish. What are you thankful for? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Read on for some helpful tips to help your remember to be thankful and truly appreciate all you have this holiday season.

• Express your gratitude to the world by doing something good for the environment.
• Avoid being rude, abrupt, and insensitive towards yourself and others.
• Send good energy into the universe and it will come back to you.
• Express your thanks by doing one or two good deeds for people on your path on a daily basis. Even if it’s simply a smile.
• Recognize what a great gift life is. Every one of us has something to be thankful for. Find out what that is and embrace it.
• Take the time on a daily basis to express your thankfulness in a quiet way through a prayer or to yourself. These reminders help us appreciate our blessings each day.
• Recognize that even the most complicated problems can be resolved.
• Be grateful for the opportunities that life offers us.
• Approach every situation with the right attitude of gratitude.