How To Use Honey To Cure Acne | What To Look For, Benefits & DIY Masks
Honey has been used in skin care for centuries and it is used in the medical setting for wound care.
Honey, especially Manuka honey, has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
So it makes sense that it would also be a cure for acne and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Honey helps reduce inflammation in the skin when applied topically. But the research isn't very strong that it can be a cure for acne.
The best way to reduce inflammation is with the root of the problem. Eating foods that reduce inflammation and avoiding foods that cause it with help get rid of acne, for good.
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Can Honey Cure Acne?
Maybe. Honey, especially Manuka honey, has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help acne by reducing inflammation and keeping infected follicles clean.
It is used in the hospital setting for wound care and has been heavily researched for it's benefits with wounds.
Honey attracts fibroblasts to wounds which promotes healing
Honey works as an antiseptic to keep wound clean
Honey lowers the production of bacteria growth including acne-causing bacteria
It is recommended by Board Certified Dermatologists, like Dr. Andrea Suarez (Dr. Dray) for it's healing and anti-inflammatory properties for acne.
Manuka Honey vs Regular Honey
Manuka honey is made in Australia and New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native leptospermum scoparium bush (also known as a tea tree).
All honey contains the antibacterial component hydrogen peroxide. This is what helps honey heal wounds and fight bacteria.
But Manuka honey has another compound called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). There is a high concentration of DHA in the nectar of Manuka flowers.
DHA gets converted to methylglyoxal (MGO), which regular honey doesn't have.
Manuka honey has both hydrogen peroxide and MGO which gives it it's unique antibacterial properties. The higher the concentration of MGO, the stronger the antibacterial effect.
How To Buy Honey For Acne
If you're using honey on your skin, you can't use the little plastic bear in the grocery store. He's mostly full of sugar. These are the things to look for when buying honey for your skin.
And the best part is, if you buy a jar of it to make face masks or a cleanser (not ointments or cream) you can eat it, too.
Medical Grade Honey Is Sterile
For skin care, you need to buy medical-grade honey because it has been treated with gamma radiation.
This process sterilizes the honey but keeps the beneficial stuff intact.
Gamma radiation is a sterilization method that eliminates microbes and pathogens. It also reduces the number of botulism spores that might be in the honey.
Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) or AMHA
Any legitimate Manuka honey product will have a mark of authenticity. America uses the Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF, and Australia uses the AMHA.
The UMF indicates that you are getting authentic Manuka honey instead of regular honey.
It means the company met certain standards and you can trust that you're buying actual Manuka honey with MGO, not regular honey with just hydrogen peroxide.
Australia and New Zealand, where Manuka is from, uses the AMHA Mark of Authenticity.
The AMHA Mark is similar to the UMF and signifies that the honey product has been tested and approved according to the Association's Criteria for Defining Authentic Australian Manuka Honey.
You should be sure any Manuka honey product you buy has a UMF or AMHA mark.
High Methylglyoxal (MGO)
The higher the MGO of a Manuka honey, the higher the antibacterial effect.
For acne, stick to a MGO of at least 850 because that is what is approved for wound care.
Since acne is infected clogged pores, it stands to reason this is the right MGO.
Benefits of Honey For Your Skin
Both regular honey and Manuka honey have many uses for skin.
They can be used for acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, wounds, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, and wrinkles.
Honey Has
Low pH maintains your skin's moisture barrier
Rich in humectants which hydrate and hold water in your skin
Antibacterial properties that help keep acne-causing bacteria from overgrowing
Manuka honey promotes wound healing by boosting fibroblast production at the site of the wound and keeping wounds clean
Antioxidant properties help reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the skin which contribute to inflammation and hyperpigmentation, signs of aging, fine lines and wrinkles
Anti-aging properties reduce wrinkle-causing inflammation
Skin brightening and reduction of dark spots and hyperpigmentation
It can reduce the need for topical antibiotics for acne
Recommended Honey For Acne
We like this honey to use for cleansers and face masks. It is thick and will stay on your face as a mask. Plus it's yummy and you can use it on your pancakes.
How To Use Honey For Acne
Honey is a bit sticky when you first put it on, but it does absorb quickly after applying so the stickiness goes away. You can apply it to your face just as it is, wash your face with it, or make it into a face mask.
Honey Face Mask
You can use honey has a face mask by itself or in combination with other acne-fighting all natural ingredients.
We recommend using honey for it's antimicrobial properties and to draw pimples to the surface. - Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
DIY Cinnamon and Honey Face Mask
A study in Indonesia suggests that a combination of honey and cinnamon bark reduced acne-causing bacteria P. acnes and S. epidermidis by 50%.
This is a simple mask recommended by a popular beauty blogger Michelle Phan.
What You’ll Need
3 Tablespoons of Manuka honey
1 Tablespoon true cinnamon
Instructions
Simply mix together the two ingredients, microwave for 30 seconds, make sure it’s not too hot, and then paint the mixture on your face. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse off and pat your face dry with a clean towel.
DIY Strawberries and Honey Face Mask
Strawberries are naturally high in salicylic acid. It's a gentle way to get this potent beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and unclog pores deep in the follicle.
It also works as a chemical exfoliator to help dissolve dead skin cells paving the way for your other skin care products to work better.
What You'll Need
4-5 strawberries
1 Tbsp honey, preferably Manuka
1 Teaspoon lemon
Instructions
Cut the tops off the strawberry and place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend for half a minute. Apply all over the face and let it dry for 15 minutes. Rinse off and follow with moisturizer.
Honey Cleanser For Acne
Wet face with warm water
Apply Manuka honey or good quality regular honey and gently rub into skin in small circular motions
Rinse completely
Reasons To Avoid Using Honey On Your Skin
There are a few reasons you shouldn't use honey on your skin.
Don't use honey on your skin if:
You are allergic to bees
Do not use on babies under 1 year old
Final Thoughts
Honey can be used for acne because it has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
So it makes sense that it would also be a cure for inflammatory skin conditions, like acne.
While there isn't a lot of research to back up these claims, dermatologists tend to recommend it. Just make sure you buy a good quality honey, preferably Manuka honey, with high MGO and a mark of quality.