Ever since it was revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge was a fan of facialist Deborah Mitchell's bee venom facials, honey has been a buzz word in the beauty industry.

From serums to body creams, the market is awash with products promising everything from hydration to reductions in scarring.

And Kate isn't the only fan. Les Miserables star Anne Hathaway uses a propolis-based spritz on her face, Epicuren Brazilian Rainforest Propolis Mist (£26.50), a resinous tree-sap-based substance used by bees to repair their nests.

Actress Scarlett Johansson uses honey as a face mask and models Erin O'Connor and Lizzy Jagger use Manuka Lip Balm (£9.75, livingnature.com), which is rich in bacteria-fighting chemicals.

So-called 'miracle' ingredients crop up all the time, but honey's healing properties are backed up by serious research. Studies show it helps acne, eczema and psoriasis, and aids the treatment of deep wounds…