4 Skin Benefits of Manuka Honey

Apart from being consumed orally for bodily benefits, manuka honey also provides a myriad of skin benefits.

It can help to soothe and heal wounds, as well as give you stunning skin.

Let’s find out how manuka honey does this and why!

The Skin Benefits of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey has many wonderful health benefits that we’re well aware of. The majority of scientific research concludes that eating manuka honey daily improves our general health and boosts our immunity.

Many people are also aware that eating manuka honey provides lots of nutrients for smooth, flawless skin.

However, not many know that manuka honey can be applied directly onto the skin to heal and improve it for natural skin benefits! Celebrities like Scarlett Johansson uses manuka honey as a face mask often.

How Is Manuka Honey So Beneficial to Our Skin?

Manuka honey is used in both traditional and modern medicine for its natural antibacterial properties.

It contains hydrogen peroxide and is high in antibacterial methylglyoxal (MG). Manuka honey contains up to 100 times more MG than normal honey found elsewhere. This MG is what makes manuka honey so potent and good for our health, as well as the skin benefits it provides.

Scientific lab tests have verified that methylglyoxal is able to kill these bacteria and superbugs:

• Helicobacter pylori (i.e. H. pylori): Causes of stomach ulcers and “leaky gut” syndrome
• Staphylococcus aureus (i.e. staph infection) and MRSA: These are the “superbugs” doctors have feared for their resistance to modern antibiotics
• Escherichia coli (i.e. E. Coli): Causes of serious food poisoning
• Streptococcus pyogenes (i.e. strep throat): Causes strep throat

Manuka Honey Heals the Skin and Encourages Anti-ageing 

• Anti-ageing: One of the skin benefits of manuka honey is its ability to retain moisture without making skin oily, an important condition to help cultivates wrinkle-free skin. Manuka honey also helps in anti-ageing by inhibiting a group of enzymes, known as MMP that destroy collagen. MG has been shown to increase collagen cross-linking, promoting the structural growth of collagen in skin cells. Manuka honey contains amino acids that build up collagen.  A healthy level of collagen means clear, firm,  healthy, and youthful-looking skin.
• Repairs and clears skin: It’s been lab-proven that manuka honey repairs skin cellular damage, lessens scarring tissues, and promotes skin regeneration. Manuka honey helps blemished skin because of its natural antibacterial properties. It contains potent anti-inflammatory properties that soothe inflamed skin while healing blemishes. Manuka honey also balances the skin’s pH and contains amino acids that clear dead skin cells to keep pores clear.
• Heals pimples/acne: Teenagers and adults with acne-prone skin will benefit from manuka honey that oxygenates pores and draws out bacteria. This improves the skin condition of acne-sensitive zones. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that fight acne and reduces redness. Manuka honey also manages and heals inflamed or congested skin and eczema.

• Hydration: Manuka honey is a natural humectant, drawing and retaining moisture into the skin. This natural hydration helps to further enhance the skin’s elasticity and cell regeneration, as well as promote skin cell healing. This hydrates your skin and provides a glowing complexion for added skin benefits.

Some Skin Treatments That I Can Use Manuka Honey for Skin Benefits

1. Manuka honey calms and heals skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis itching
2. It heals pimples/acne and prevents acne bacteria from returning
3. It reduces redness and itchiness on sensitive skin
4. Manuka honey can cure anti-fungal skin infections, for example, athlete’s foot or yeast infections
5. It has been proven supportive in curing harmful skin infections such as staph or MRSA
6.  Medical grade manuka honey helps to soothe burns and improve healing times
7. Medical grade manuka honey also eases wounds, skin cuts, and infection, healing them faster
8. Manuka honey helps in scar healing
9. Manuka honey helps maintains a balance of healthy bacteria and keeps harmful bacteria from your skin
10. Manuka honey gives an overall healthy glow to your skin

How to Use a Manuka Honey Face Mask for Skin Benefits

I use manuka honey as a facial mask on a weekly basis to obtain its skin benefits. After washing and gently exfoliating my face, I pat it dry and apply a very thin layer of manuka honey over my face.

I let it sit for at least 30 minutes (sometimes, I leave it for few hours while doing work or watching TV), then wash it off with water.

Here are some other ways:

• Cinnamon Mask: One way to cleanse is to mix manuka honey with cinnamon and apply it as a facial mask. Use hot water to steam your skin, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of the cinnamon manuka mixture. Leave it on for 20 minutes and gently wipe it off. Close your pores after by rinsing with cold water. You can use the same mixture as a spot treatment and leave it on overnight to heal blemishes.
• Cleanser: Add a few drops of hot water to a teaspoon-sized portion of manuka and massage around your entire face for three minutes. Gently wipe off with a facial cloth or sponge for extra exfoliation.
• Acne Scars/Dark Spot Treatment: You can brighten and heal your skin to fade dark spots or acne scars. Mix lemon juice, a teaspoon of cane sugar, and a teaspoon of manuka honey. Use hot water to steam your skin, pat dry and massage this mixture in the facial zone and leave it on for 20 minutes.  After that, use cold water to rinse and close your pores.

You can buy manuka honey that is UMF-certified for authentic manuka honey to eat daily or to apply on your skin.

If you don’t like to DIY and prefer manuka honey-based skincare products, there is a product that Kate Middleton (Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) uses for her skin care routine.

For those with eczema-prone skin, there are other options that also give you skin benefits like Comvita Medihoney Eczema derma cream.

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