Honey is so much more than a natural sweetener. People use it to reduce inflammation and treat wounds, burns, seborrhea, dandruff, psoriasis, and other skin issues. So, the most straightforward answer to “Is honey good for your skin?” is yes! You may use it as a spot treatment for blemishes, an exfoliator for the entire face, or a DIY face mask.
The Beautylectual team will list all the benefits of honey for your skin, fantastic homemade face masks, and the specifics about Manuka honey. Additionally, you’ll discover how often to use it and why you may not want to use honey at all. Let’s dive in!
Contents
Top 5 Benefits
This sweet substance has a number of benefits, which make it an excellent choice for skincare. Here are our favorite ones:
- Moisturizing: As a natural humectant, honey will help keep your skin moisturized and hydrated.
- Anti-inflammatory: Most types of honey have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and calm irritated skin.
- Antibacterial: Honey produces hydrogen peroxide when it comes into contact with the skin and kills bacteria. Therefore, it reduces the risk of acne and other skin infections.
- Healing: Honey often helps to speed up the healing process and reduces the scarring of wounds and burns.
- Exfoliating: It’s a gentle exfoliant, which is our favorite property, and you can use it to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.
Overall, honey is a great natural ingredient for your skincare routine, regardless of skin type.
Our Favorite DIY Face Masks
Honey is a common component in homemade face masks, and you can mix it with several ingredients you may have in your kitchen right now. Here are our favorite masks and ways to make them:
- Honey + oatmeal: Combine 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/4 cup water to create a thick paste. If you have rosewater, we recommend adding a 1/2 tablespoon of it. Let the mask sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it with warm water.
- Honey + lemon: Mix one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply the mask to the face and neck, let it sit for 15 minutes, and rinse it off gently with lukewarm water.
- Honey + banana: Mash half a banana and add one tablespoon of honey to create a smooth paste. We also recommend adding a tablespoon of orange juice. Apply it gently, leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash your face.
- Honey + coconut oil: Combine one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of coconut oil. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes on your face and neck, and then massage your face while washing it off with warm water.
- Honey + yogurt: Mix a teaspoon of honey with one tablespoon of neutral yogurt and spice it up with a dash of ground cinnamon. Put the mask on your face and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before taking it off.
Tip: After washing your face, apply a powerful hyaluronic acid serum and face cream. Also, if you plan on going out, remember to add an SPF lotion to your routine.
How Often To Apply It
Whether you use honey as a mask or to treat specific areas, we suggest you apply it once a week at first. Then, if you notice improvements and find that honey suits your skin, feel free to increase the frequency.
Note: If you have sensitive skin and haven’t used honey before, it’s a good idea to patch-test a small area before applying it to the entire face.
Is Manuka Honey Good for Your Skin?
Native to New Zealand, Manuka honey has unique properties (and active components like methylglyoxal) thanks to its specific environment and the manuka flower’s nectar. People often use it as a natural antibacterial remedy for various skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and rosacea.
However, there’s limited scientific evidence to support these claims, so we suggest you speak with a dermatologist before using it, especially if you have a pre-existing skin condition.
Reasons Not To Use Honey on Your Face
Although honey is amazing in most cases, some people’s skins may react differently. Here are the reasons not to apply honey on your face:
- Expense: Organic honey is generally more expensive than many other natural skincare ingredients.
- Limited effectiveness: While honey is effective for certain skin conditions, it’s not going to work for everyone’s skin concerns.
- Allergic reactions: Although it’s exceptionally rare, some people may be allergic to honey and experience skin irritation. So, do a patch test before applying it to the face.
- Stickiness: Honey is sticky and can sometimes drip or run off the face, so pay extra attention during the application to avoid messy inconveniences.
We also must urge you not to use honey on open wounds and to consult a dermatologist if you have any severe skin condition.
Final Thoughts: Yay or Nay?
Despite the limited effectiveness and stickiness, we definitely recommend incorporating honey into your weekly skincare routine. Our favorite way to apply it is as a DIY face mask—right after using a homemade daily face wash—but we suggest you play around until you find the method that works for your skin.
To answer the “Is honey good for your skin?” question, our team did in-depth research and followed editorial practices that included sourcing content from dermatologists and beauty enthusiasts. Don’t hesitate to check out our other skincare articles and use our help to build a perfect skincare routine.