If you're like most people, you probably think of honey as a delicious topping on your morning toast or oatmeal. But what you may need to learn is that honey has many other uses. If you ever wonder if honey is good for your skin, the answer is yes. A thousand times, yes! Manuka honey, in particular, is known for its therapeutic benefits when applied to the skin. Keep reading to learn more. 

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey comes from bees that pollinate the flower Leptospermum scoparium (L.scoparium), commonly known as the manuka bush or tea tree. The bees collect the nectar from the flowers, which they transform into honey. The resulting honey contains higher levels of antioxidants than any other honey.  

Difference Between Manuka Honey and Any Other Honey

Whether you’re looking for manuka honey benefits or other honey benefits, you should know that honey in general contains antibacterial properties that are good for preventing infections. Honey can also reduce swelling and redness when used topically. While all honey contains some level of natural healing properties, research has shown that manuka honey stands out for its potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. This is due to methylglyoxal (MGO), one of the major antibacterial components of manuka honey. The higher the concentration of MGO, the stronger the antibacterial effect is. It also gives the honey a distinctively bitter flavor. 

Manuka Honey Benefits for Skin

Benefits for Dry Skin  

Manuka honey is an excellent natural moisturizer. It increases the water content in your skin, while also locking in moisture to prevent further drying. 

Anti-aging Benefits

Another great benefit of manuka honey is that it reduces the signs of aging, particularly on the face. It helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while also reducing under-eye bags and dark circles.   

Helps in Treating Acne

Manuka honey can also help treat acne because it helps your skin retain moisture. It does this by preventing the overproduction of sebum, which is what causes the problem in the first place. Honey has long been used in the treatment of acne, due to its antibacterial properties. However, manuka honey is particularly beneficial because it contains a higher concentration of antibacterial properties that can help reduce swelling and redness of existing acne.

Helps in Treating Eczema 

Due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, manuka honey alleviates eczema symptoms. People suffering from eczema have skin that struggles from lack of moisture. Manuka honey is an incredibly thick emollient that helps keep moisture in your skin - this may help relieve the itching and irritation associated with eczema.

Helps with Wound Healing

Manuka honey can help prevent infection and keep wounds from getting worse, while at the same time nourishing your skin. It may also help reduce the pain you’re feeling due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that manuka honey promotes the growth of tissues for wound repair and suppresses inflammation.

Manuka Honey for Skin Pigmentation

Manuka honey also aids in balancing skin tone. It effectively fights hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and dark spots, resulting in a more even and radiant complexion.  

How to Use Manuka Honey in Your Skincare Routine?

There are various ways to use manuka honey in your skincare routine. Manuka honey can be applied to your skin either directly or by mixing it with different products. If you're applying it directly, you can simply put a thin layer over clean skin and let it sink in for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse it off with water.

Mix it With Other Products 

When mixing it with other products, you can use honey as an effective substitute for glycerin. Glycerin is a common ingredient in many skincare products because it absorbs water and helps your skin retain moisture. Honey has the same effect on your skin but without the extra chemicals. For added benefits, you can also mix manuka honey with different cleansers, moisturizers, and masks.

DIY Manuka Honey Face Mask Recipe

If you're a skincare junkie, then you probably have a few favorite recipes that mix manuka honey with other ingredients. We'll give you one. Namely, a good and effective way to give yourself a nice manuka honey facial treatment is by making your own homemade face mask. Here's what you're going to need:

• 1 tablespoon of manuka honey
• 1 teaspoon of avocado oil or olive oil
• 5 drops of vitamin E oil

Before you start, make sure that you cleanse and dry your skin. Then, mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until you get a nice, smooth paste. Apply this to your face and leave it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing with cool water. Also, very important! Before applying this mask to your face, test it on a small surface of your hand to see if you'll have any allergy reactions. 

For the perfectly creamy texture of your DIY masks, we recommend Imagination™ DIY mask base. This ultra-hydrating base for your homemade mask spreads evenly across your face, while FOREO's Triple Infusion Complex empowers active vitamins and minerals in your fruits and veggies to penetrate deep into the skin.

Try Manuka Honey Sheet Mask

If you are more into skincare products that already contain manuka honey, then FOREO’s Manuka Honey Sheet Mask is perfect for you. Since it is made with real manuka honey, this mask softens skin and enhances elasticity for a radiant and soft complexion in 20 minutes. 

To maximize its efficiency and enrich your treatment with LED lights, pair it with UFO™ 3 for a radically revitalizing facial treatment that will leave your skin supple and younger-looking in just 2 minutes. This mask should be your pick if you want a treatment that nourishes your skin, leaving it softer, smoother, and supple. Also, this nutrient-rich formula soothes dryness and promotes healthy and younger-looking skin. 

Is it Dangerous to Use Honey on the Skin?

Honey has been used as a beauty product for centuries. In Biblical times, women would bathe in milk and honey to moisturize their skin. In ancient Greece, they used honey as a cleanser and even healed wounds with it. Today, we still use honey as a topical treatment for different skin conditions. Still, some people might experience minor allergies, especially if they are allergic to bees. If that’s the case with you, speak with your doctor before using honey.  

Beware of Fake Manuka

If you're looking to buy manuka honey, you must be aware that there are fake ones on the market. This is especially important if manuka honey isn't produced in the area where you live. Many companies will dilute their honey with regular sugar syrup or create fake "UMF" labels to pass off regular kinds of honey as manuka. To ensure you're getting the real deal, it's best to buy manuka honey from a trusted source. 

Pair Manuka Honey Mask with FOREO's UFO™ device and get younger-looking skin in just 2 minutes.

Manuka Honey for Pro-Level Anti-Aging Facial

For a professional-level anti-aging treatment, we recommend FAQ™ P1 Manuka honey primer. This nutrient-rich primer, made with real manuka honey, softens skin and enhances elasticity for a naturally radiant complexion. Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin and follow with designated FAQ™ devices, or massage with fingertips until fully absorbed. FAQ™ P1 Manuka honey primer is a potent antioxidant formula that revives skin for a younger-looking complexion. 

To maximize the benefits of your manuka skincare, pair it FAQ™ Swiss device of your choice and skin needs. FAQ™ devices utilize the benefits of five different technologies, creating the world’s most powerful fusion of professional and at-home beauty. From electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), radio frequency (RF), and LED light therapy (including NIR) to T-Sonic™ technology and Anti-Shock™ System, these technologies provide the most powerful and cutting-edge solution available to recharge and rejuvenate your body. You can learn more about the unique benefits of FAQ™ devices in one of our previous blogs.