Benefits of Manuka Honey for Skin & Acne | Face Mask, Wash, and more

You drizzle it on your toast, maybe add some in your tea - but do you know that honey has some great skincare benefits?

Used for centuries in medicines and to sweeten our candies, it's a top pick when it comes to the most effective natural ingredients, especially manuka honey. A unique type, which is known to be more delicious, healthier, and; according to research, has more benefits than regular honey.

But what makes it so special for your skin?

And how is it different from regular honey?

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey comes from the bees that pollinate the flowers of the Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium) native to New Zealand. This is very important as both the plants and the bees are representatives of the environment and are hard to come by in other parts of the world.

Most honeys are rich in antibacterial properties driven by hydrogen peroxide. What makes manuka honey so special is that it contains both hydrogen peroxide as well as methylglyoxal (MGO). The amount of MGO in honey - which represents the thickness and potency, is calculated by Unique Manuka Factor, a rating listed on the packaging of the product.

Read More: How to get rid of dry, dead skin?

Given its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, it should come as no surprise that manuka honey is a noteworthy ingredient to include in your skincare routine. Not only can it help beautify your skin from within, but you can also use it as a facemask to get rid of acne scars and inflammation.

If you're interested so far, here are some prominent benefits of manuka honey.

Benefits of Manuka Honey for Skin

• It moisturizes the skin

If you're looking for a natural product to moisturize your skin, reach for manuka honey. It helps retain moisture from the surrounding environment and ensures that your skin sebum production is controlled.

It is also very easy to absorb and will actively draw in your skin water molecules. This can be a game-changer for dryness as by stabilizing the water molecules on your skin will make it healthier, flexible, and reduce dead skin cells.

• It is a natural antibacterial

It's come by no surprise that there's no match for manuka honey when it comes to bacteria. As with any other honey, manuka contains glucose oxidase, an enzyme that destroys the cell walls of bacteria.

It is also rich in sugar content and has a very low pH level of 4.4, all of which are perfect for your skin. And that's not it, the main star component is MGO which helps promote healthy skin cells and will keep the bad ones at bay.

• It eases inflammation

For starters, manuka honey contains natural inflammatory enzymes, the same enzymes which can help neutralize free radicals and tame off oxidative stress from your skin. Second, it also helps control the inflammation process by improving your overall skin texture and reducing redness.

• It can help control acne

Now the prime benefit of manuka honey is its ability to clear acne and acne scar. Acne appears on your skin when there is bacterial growth. As manuka honey has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidative properties - All of these components are perfect to reduce acne from your skin. So, instead of going for a chemical solution, take help from nature.

Also Read: Probiotics in Shampoo - What do you need to know?

How can you use Manuka Honey?

As manuka honey is an extremely versatile beauty ingredient, there are plenty of ways you can use it. Here are some of the most popular ways you can use it at home.

DIY Face Wash

Best For: Perfect to hydrate and cleanse your skin. Everyday use.

Instruction:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of Manuka honey with a few drops of witch hazel toner/cleanser
• Massage onto your face in a circular motion
• Gently wash off with tap water

Basic Manuka Mask

Rosewater is best for reducing the redness and balancing the pH level of the skin. Lemon juice is high in Vitamin C which will help exfoliate, brighten, and even out your skin tone,

Best For: Everyday use

• Add lemon juice or rosewater with manuka honey
• Gently massage it onto your face
• Rinse off with regular water, pat dry

Note: As lemon juice is acidic in nature, this mask is not suitable for a sensitive skin type.

Cinnamon Honey Mask

Best For: Acne scar, inflammation, healthier skin complexion, and exfoliation.

• Take 1 tbsp of cinnamon, manuka honey and mix it with rosewater
• Add more rosewater as per the consistency
• Apply a thin layer onto your face and let it rest for 15-20 minutes
• Wash your face, moisturize with goat milk lotion

DIY Face Mask

You can use raw manuka honey or pair it with other natural ingredients. Here's a quick DIY recipe that you can follow.

Best For: To help reduce acne scar, inflammation and improve brightness. You can follow this 2-3 times per week.

• Take 1 tablespoon of Manuka Honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of almond oil or aloe gel
• Gently apply it on your skin and cleanse
• Leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes
• Wash it off, pat dry, and apply moisturizers such as rosehip or lavender oil

Note: If you’re only using raw honey, then you can use it every day.

DIY Hair Mask

As manuka honey is a good moisturizing ingredient, you can use it for your hair treatment as well.

Best For: Dry hair and itchy scalp. Can be used twice every week.

• Mix manuka honey with oil of your choice (coconut or olive)
• Melt the mixture on the stove and apply it to the strands on your hair
• Start from strands, all the way to the end
• Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash your hair

Take away

Thanks to its all-natural potency and included skincare treatment benefits, Manuka honey is a must-try for acne-prone skin. But as with any product, natural or otherwise, it is recommended to buy high-quality manuka honey from a reputable source. Be sure to check the ingredients and UMF labeling before you buy.