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I’ve been hearing about “manuka honey and acne” foreverrrrrrrrr. And to be honest, I was always VERY confused by the whole thing – do I put it on my FACE? Am I supposed to EAT it? I didn’t get it.
So I’ve done some research for you, my dear, and it turns out that manuka honey can be pretty powerful – topically – for acne healing, so I wanted to share what I learned with you.
First things first, #nerdalert – here are the amazing “roots” of Manuka Honey and all of it’s amazingness:
Manuka Honey is a special class of medicinal honey made by the bees that collect the nectar of Manuka trees, found specifically in New Zealand.
Its medicinal use dates back to the 19th century when its antibacterial properties were first discovered. Methylglyoxal (MGO) and dihydroxyacetone are the two chemicals other than hydrogen peroxide that are responsible for its antibacterial potency.
The antibacterial properties and quality of the honey are gauged by a parameter called Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), which is a measure of non-peroxide antibacterial potency – which also means that there are strict guidelines for what honey you’ll get the most benefits from! (For best results on the skin, a UMF of more than 16 is preferable, more on this later!)
Manuka honey is a powerhouse of nutrients that can heal scars & acne, and brighten and hydrate the skin.
So, what else can manuka honey do, you ask?
Here are 6 ways manuka honey may help to heal your acne naturally:
1. It helps to promote a brighter skin tone and texture by nourishing, hydrating and moisturizing the skin thoroughly. It also helps in *speedy* healing of pigmentation marks (aka scarring:().
2. It has a germicidal effect – it attacks the bacteria present in the area of acne breakout, and “kills it” completely. (Say WHAT?!)
3. It helps to prevent the possibility of any future breakouts by keeping the skin pores unclogged and preventing the bacteria from getting trapped in your pores.
4. It works as a great anti-irritant for sensitive skin and can be a great break from other cosmetic products that cause skin irritation.
5. The cleansing properties of manuka honey may reduce the appearance of large pores.
6. Manuka honey has also been known to improve eczema by acting as a moisturizing layer and protecting the-already-damaged-derma.
Now that we’re fully “schooled” on all of the amazing aspects of manuka honey, here are 4 topical treatments for you to try out!
Manuka Honey as a Face Mask:
I love a good mask🙂 This mask recipe is the basically the easiest mask recipe I’ve ever used in my life AND it helps restores cells naturally and promotes anti-aging (um, YAH, yes please, thankyouverymuch). Use UMF 10+ for best results.
How to apply:
- Wash your face thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of honey to your face.
- Massage it in a bit, and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Gently wash with warm water.
Yes. It’s that easy! Here is another mask recipe with manuka honey in it and a few other masks in general:)
Manuka Honey as a Cleanser:
If you are not a huge fan of the amount of stickiness that the above causes, this is a better option for you – it’s also a great option if your skin gets irritated easily.
How to apply:
- Wash your face, thoroughly.
- Massage a tablespoon of honey, slowly, over your face.
- Keep it on for 30 seconds.
- Gently wash with warm water.
- Pat skin dry and apply moisturizer.
Manuka Honey as an Overnight Treatment:
This overnight “mask” of sorts can really help to soften and brighten your skin, giving you a ***resplendent*** glow when you wake up in the morning. This overnight treatment is also an excellent option for healing scars and highly recommended for dry skin types.
How to apply:
- Wash your face, thoroughly.
- Massage a thin layer of honey on your face.
- Use a towel to protect your pillow from stickiness.
- Leave the “mask” on overnight and wash with warm water in the morning.
Manuka Honey as an Antibacterial Face Pack:
You can whip this recipe up very easily at home and it’s very effective in treating conditions like psoriasis, eczema, etc.
Ingredients:
- Ground cinnamon, 2 pinches
- Manuka honey (UMF, 10+), 3 tbsp
How to apply:
- Mix both the ingredients thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture on your face, covering all areas and avoiding your eyes.
- Leave it on for 25 minutes.
- Gently wash with warm water
Ok my dear, by now you may be convinced of the powers of manuka honey and might be heading to the supermarket to buy some, so here is a quick checklist for you in case you need some guidance on what type of manuka honey to buy (it’s always good to know the very best type!)
Manuka honey buying checklist:
- Not all Manuka Honey has antibacterial properties, so buy only those which have UMF (Unique Manuka Factor), MGO (Methylglyoxal) or OMA (Organic Manuka active) written on top of the jars, since these determine the medicinal and acne healing properties of the honey.
- Buy the brand that says ”Active” on it and has the product manufactured in New Zealand.
- It has a UMF or OMA rating of 15+ or a MGO rating of 250+.
- If you are allergic to bees, then there are very high chances that you will also be allergic to Manuka Honey. Do NOT use this.***
- Keep it out of reach of children less than 1 years of age as it can lead to botulism poisoning.***
- If you’re experimenting with Manuka Honey for the first time, it’s advisable to get a patch test done to know about any undesirable allergic reactions in advance.***
What do you think? Will you try manuka honey for your acne soon? Leave me a comment below and let me know!
**** Also, please always keep in mind and read the disclaimer here, I am NOT a doctor and nothing your read here should be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor.***
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