Manuka honey can be a close friend and play a vital role in your skin’s overall health and beauty regime. Whether it’s reducing symptoms of skin irritation, treating acne, healing wounds, or delivering a healthy daily boost of hydration to your skin, Manuka honey has got you covered, literally!
In this article, we’ll cover why Manuka honey works so well together with our skin, common skin conditions that can be treated with Manuka honey, and some bonus DIY Manuka honey face mask recipes to enjoy at home.
Why is Manuka Honey Good for your Skin?
Honey has actually been used for centuries to dress wounds and provide skin care, dating all the way back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. What makes Manuka honey especially effective in various skin treatments is its high amount of Methylglyoxal (MG). MG is a naturally occurring organic substance which gives Manuka honey its unique and powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. These properties help reduce inflammation, kill harmful bacteria, retain moisture and provide a myriad of other benefits for your skin and body, both inside and out.
Check out our article 14 Mind Blowing Uses of Manuka Honey to read about more of these amazing benefits!
Important note: For the topics we discuss below, we recommend using a Manuka honey with a 550+ MG rating for the most effective results. You can read more about MG ratings here in this article.
Manuka Honey for Acne
Manuka honey’s profound antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it resourceful when dealing with skin blemishes and acne outbreaks. Acne is often caused by bacteria penetrating the skin and creating small pockets of infections. It’s a common occurrence for many people and the severity of acne outbreaks can vary depending on each individual.
Utilizing Manuka honey in your current skin care regimen can potentially be very helpful. Known effects from applying Manuka honey to the skin include:
• Decrease in bad bacteria that infect pores and cause infections
• Manuka honey retains moisture and is a great emollient: meaning it softens the skin
• Anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation caused from acne breakouts
• Balances the pH level of the skin, keeping bacteria at bay
• Fights microbial infections that cause acne without irritating your skin
• Gently pulls out impurities like excess oil and acne-causing bacteria from the pores without further clogging pores
How to Use Manuka Honey on Acne:
After cleaning your face with a gentle cleanser, apply Manuka honey to your clean face and neck and keep it on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and gently pat dry with a soft hand towel. Then follow with an oil-free moisturizer if you’d like. This process is gentle on the skin, but effective in fighting acne. Manuka honey is very safe to use, but be careful with your clothing – honey is sticky! For spot treatment, you can also dab a smidge on a pimple or blemish and cover with a bandage.
Strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of Manuka honey make it effective in killing bacterial strains which can initially cause acne.
Manuka Honey for Dry Skin
Manuka honey also is well known for its ability to moisturize and nourish dry skin. In an interview with a beauty blog called Byrdie, Dr. Claire Chang, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, gave the inside scoop as to why Manuka honey is so effective when dealing with dry skin:
“Manuka honey is a natural humectant due to its sugar component, meaning it helps draw in and retain moisture in the skin," says Dr. Chang.
The all natural ingredients and potent antimicrobial properties help rejuvenate and moisturize skin. Its antioxidant properties help to slow down the aging process by regulating skin-damaging reactive oxygen species.
In total, the natural benefits of Manuka honey work to hydrate and protect the skin from dryness and aging. This explains why Manuka honey is used as a key ingredient in myriads of different skincare products. Its incredible ability to nourish and support healthy skin is a must for anyone dealing with dry skin, acne, or rashing issues.
How to Apply Manuka Honey on Dry Skin
- Use MG 350+ or higher Manuka honey
- Take 1tbsp of Manuka Honey
- You can dilute the honey with equal parts water to expand the amount of surface area you can rub it on
- Let sit for 20-30 minutes
- Rinse off with warm water and gently pat dry with a soft hand towel
- Follow with an oil-free moisturizer if you’d like
- Repeat (2x a day/daily) for best results
Manuka Honey for Wound Care and Burns
As previously mentioned, honey has been used for thousands of years as a therapeutic treatment for various wounds and other ailments. The Ancient Greeks would utilize bandages covered in honey to dress wounds from battle; soldiers benefited greatly from the honey’s natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Even Hippocrates, known as the father of modern medicine, speaks about the healing virtues of honey, observing that it “….cleans sores and ulcers, softens hard ulcers of the lips, heals carbuncles and running sores.”
Thanks to a couple thousand years of medical advancements, scientists have been able to dive deeper into the incredible healing properties of Manuka honey and its sophisticated use in natural wellness and medicine healthy practices. Research displays that Manuka honey plays a powerful role in the body’s natural ability to regenerate damaged tissue.
Alongside its strong antibacterial properties, Manuka honey is a great solution for protecting wounds and burns from possible future infection. Applying Manuka honey to scrapes, cuts, burns or other wounds is simple, easy to do, and comes with great benefits.
When using Manuka honey to treat burns and wounds effectively, we recommend using a high-activity MG level honey (at least 550+) for greater antibacterial properties.
How to Apply Manuka Honey on Wounds and Burns
- First dry the wound area so there is no moisture around it
- Smear an even layer of manuka honey inside and around the wounded area
- Dress the wound with a water resistant and airtight bandage or gauze (aka occlusive dressing)
- Let the wound rest and heal - be sure to replace the dressing at least once a day so it doesn’t become overly saturated
Manuka Honey for Rashes
Manuka honey’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it a great option for managing many skin conditions. Rashes caused by skin allergies can be easier managed when utilizing Manuka honey’s powerhouse of nourishing skin care properties.
Another interesting way Manuka honey helps to manage symptoms of rashes is through its immune-boosting abilities. As Manuka honey boosts our overall immune system, it in turn reduces our susceptibility to skin allergies and infections that can lead to rashes.
Research conducted shows that Manuka honey stimulates immune cells and the production of Cytokines. Cytokines are protein messengers that, in essence, helps to recode our immune system, making it stronger and more resistant to rash and eczema causing allergies.
Consuming Manuka honey regularly is one of the easiest ways to aid in building a stronger immune system. For immediate treatment of rashes and eczema, Manuka honey’s strong anti-inflammatory properties make it a great choice to relieve and reduce symptoms, while also nourishing the skin’s natural healing properties.
How to apply Manuka honey for Rashes
- Take a high grade Manuka honey (550 MG+) and spread evenly over the affected area
- Let the honey rest there for at least 20 minutes
- Rinse off with warm water and gently pat dry with a soft hand towel
- Repeat every day - Depending on the severity, repeat 2-3 times a day
Easy DIY Make your own Manuka Honey Face Mask!
Manuka Honey face masks make for the perfect at-home skincare recipe thanks to their convenience and awesome results! Smooth, soft and fresh skin awaits with these easy DIY recipes:
Simple Manuka Honey Facemask
- 1 Tbsp High Grade Manuka Honey
- Dilute with up to 1 Tbsp of water, to cover more skin surface area
That’s it! The easiest and most straightforward with glowing results!
Exfoliating Manuka Honey Facemask
- 1 Tbsp Manuka Honey
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
A gentle, cleansing exfoliant. Mix well until the ingredients make a scrub-like consistency.
Cooling Yogurt and Honey Mask
- 1 Tbsp Plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tbsp Manuka Honey
This mixture cools and refreshes the skin for softness and a beautiful glow.
How to Apply your Manuka Honey Facemask
- Wash face gently with warm water, feel free to use a facial cleanser too, either way, you want to start with a clean face
- Spread your chosen recipe from above evenly on your face
- Sit back and relax for 20-30 minutes while the Manuka works its magic
- Wash off with warm water and pat dry with a towel
- Follow up with any normal treatments you do in your skincare routine
- Enjoy the Results
Tip From The Hive: Cleopatra was known for treating her royal skin to a honey face mask normally on a daily basis.
Conclusion
Manuka honey’s naturally occurring properties make it a truly unique and effective treatment for many different skin care needs. Its antibacterial properties help it to penetrate the skin and kill acne-causing bacteria. Its natural sugars work to hydrate, moisturize and soften the skin. Wounds and burns can be treated with Manuka honey’s strong anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties.
Manuka honey is one of nature’s most impressive foods that houses numerous amazing benefits for our skin and body, both inside and out!
We also suggest eating Manuka honey to promote intestinal wellness, which will help your body’s natural balance of good and bad bacteria. We recommend a teaspoon a day for wellness.
Do you want to try the world’s BEST Manuka honey?
Our delicious, fresh and all-natural Manuka honey goes straight from the hive, to the glass jar, and to your home! Bees and Trees Manuka honey is raw and minimally processed. Unlike the majority of commercially produced Manuka honey, we avoid blending ours with other honeys, pasteurizing, or using other common over-processing practices found in the industry.
For the most high quality, beneficial and downright delicious Manuka honey on the market, let us help you find what you need!
References
Niaz K, Maqbool F, Bahadar H, Abdollahi M. Health Benefits of Manuka Honey as an Essential Constituent for Tissue Regeneration. Curr Drug Metab. 2017;18(10):881-892. doi: 10.2174/1389200218666170911152240. PMID: 28901255.
Rud, Melanie. “Dermatologists Say Manuka Honey Is a Powerful Force Against Acne.” Byrdie, 27 Jan. 2020, www.byrdie.com/manuka-honey-for-skin-4776793#citation-3.
Tonks AJ, Dudley E, Porter NG, Parton J, Brazier J, Smith EL, Tonks A. A 5.8-kDa component of manuka honey stimulates immune cells via TLR4. J Leukoc Biol. 2007 Nov;82(5):1147-55. doi: 10.1189/jlb.1106683. Epub 2007 Aug 3. PMID: 17675558.
Tonks AJ, Cooper RA, Jones KP, Blair S, Parton J, Tonks A. Honey stimulates inflammatory cytokine production from monocytes. Cytokine. 2003 Mar 7;21(5):242-7. doi: 10.1016/s1043-4666(03)00092-9. PMID: 12824009.
