UV Radiation (UVR) is one of the main causes of various skin disorders. Depending on the wavelength, the duration of the exposure and factors that concern skin physiology and structure, UVR may have detrimental effects on skin, varying from triggering of aging mechanisms and immunosuppression to DNA damage and carcinogenesis. In parallel, the link between air pollution, UVR and skin carcinogenesis has been demonstrated by a significant number of epidemiological studies. Especially, the accumulation of damages caused by UV radiation and air pollution are proven to have several effects on skin, including chronic inflammation, immunosuppression, atrophy and aging. Nowadays it is more evident than ever that products for skin application, such as traditional cosmetics or cosmeceuticals, may play a very important role in the preservation of the overall health of population – apart from the obvious well-being target. Especially in large cities where the above factors – air pollution and UVR – coincide, there is an emerging need for development of products that are effective in terms of protection from environmental aggressors. These products should optimally be based in safe, sustainable, and natural ingredients that demonstrate proven efficacy in terms of protection.

Honey has been widely recognized as such an ingredient. Its use since ancient times, its sweet taste and its abundancy – despite the recent challenges imposed to bee populations because of environmental issues – make it ideal as a raw material for many human applications, beyond the per os use. Honey is a rather complicate and non-consistent mixture of molecules. Ιt is mainly constituted, apart from water, from sugars, glucose and fructose. It also contains amino acids, organic acids, vitamins and minerals [1]. In small concentrations it contains flavonoids and phenolic acids that seem to play in important role in the bioactivity of honey. It has been reported t