Ingredient dictionary

Mel

Also listed as: Honey

Mel is the INCI name for honey, a sweet, sticky food made by bees from flower nectar. In shampoo and other products, it mainly holds water and softens hair. It is on the label of 5 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

What Mel does

Draws moisture into hair and skin
Helps hair feel soft and smooth
Offers a natural, bee-made option

Mel is honey, the thick, sweet liquid bees make by gathering flower nectar and storing it in their hive. Its main parts are sugars and water, with small amounts of minerals, enzymes and other natural compounds. Honey has been used in beauty routines for centuries, and it still appears in many modern hair and skin products.

Formulators use honey mainly as a humectant, which means it pulls water from the air and holds it in the product and on the hair. In shampoo, it can leave hair feeling softer and smoother after rinsing. Because honey is thick and sticky, it is usually blended in small amounts and paired with other conditioning ingredients.

Good for

Good for people who don't avoid bee-derived ingredients and want a gentle moisture boost in hair care.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mel the same as honey?

Yes. Mel is the INCI name, the standard ingredient name used on labels in many countries. On a product label, you may see it written as Mel or as Honey, and both refer to the same bee-made ingredient.

Is Mel vegan?

No. Honey is made by bees, so most vegan standards do not accept it. People who avoid animal-derived ingredients usually skip products that list Mel or Honey.