Honey has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties (1). If you have a bottle of honey at your home, you can easily use it for your skin. We will tell you how. Scroll down to learn the benefits of honey for skin and check out 15 easy DIY remedies you may try.
Honey For Face: Is It Good? What Are The Benefits?
Honey, especially unpasteurized raw honey and Manuka honey, is considered excellent not only for your health but also for topical application. This is because:
1. Honey Can Heal Acne
In-vitro studies have found that honey has antibacterial properties and can inhibit the growth of many dermatologically important microbes. They include P. acnes and S. aureus that cause acne. S. aureus can also cause atopic dermatitisi XAlso known as eczema, a chronic disease that causes inflammation, dryness, redness, and itchy patches on the skin. and other skin infections (2).
2. It Heals Wound And Has Therapeutic Effects
Honey contains enzymes, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that make it perfect for therapeutic uses. It can heal minor burns and wounds and is effective for soothing skin issues, such as skin psoriasisi XAn autoimmune condition that causes skin inflammation, leading to red, itchy, scaly patches commonly on knees, elbows, and scalp. , dandruff, and diaper dermatitis (3).
3. It Keeps Your Skin Moisturized
Honey is an excellent emollient and humectant and can bind moisture to your skin (3). Hence, it is widely used in moisturizing creams and lotions. If you have dry skin, you can use honey to keep it soft and supple.
4. Honey Helps Maintain Skin pH
Honey helps to regulate the pH of your skin and prevent any kind of infection (3). The low pH of honey inhibits the growth of a lot of pathogens and helps wounds heal faster. Now that you know how honey can help your skin, here’s how you can use it (raw or Manuka honey) to keep your skin glowing and healthy.
How To Use Honey For Face: DIY Remedies
1. Lemon And Honey
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and citric acid. Anecdotal evidence states that lemon juice has an astringenti XA substance that helps reduce bleeding from minor cuts and skin oiliness when applied as a cosmetic. effect on the skin, can help keep your skin oil-free, and minimize pores. This face mask can help control acne breakouts.
The juice from half a lemon 1 tablespoon raw honey Towel
Once a week.
2. Milk, Apple Cider Vinegar, And Honey
Milk contains lactic acid. Topical lactic acid has a gentle exfoliating and cleansing effect on your skin and improves skin texture (4). Apple cider vinegar is widely used for its skin-soothing effects. It is said to alter the skin’s pH that helps to kill bacteria. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this effect.
1 tablespoon milk powder (or ½ teaspoon raw milk) 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar ½ teaspoon raw honey Towel
Once a week.
3. Honey And Cinnamon
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties. A study involving 20 patients evaluated the efficacy of cinnamon gel on mild to moderate acne. It found that cinnamon gel helped reduce acne lesionsi XAbnormal tissue changes inside or outside the body, which can be benign or malignant, caused by disease or trauma. (5). Together with honey, cinnamon may help clear acne.
A pinch of cinnamon powder or 2-3 drops of cinnamon essential oil 1 tablespoon honey
1-2 times a week. Precaution: Cinnamon may cause minor skin irritation, which is common. However, ensure you do a patch test before using it on your skin.
4. Tomato And Honey
Tomatoes contain lycopene (a carotenoid responsible for its red color) (6). A study states that topical lycopene is an effective antioxidant and can prevent cell damage by inhibiting free radicals (7). Together with honey, tomato can keep your skin healthy.
½ ripe tomato 1 tablespoon raw honey Towel
2 times a week.
5. Banana And Honey
Banana is a common ingredient used in face masks and is said to have a moisturizing effect on the skin (8). It is also an excellent base for any DIY face mask. Together with honey and lemon, this face mask can help keep your skin clear and prevent breakouts.
1 ripe banana 1 teaspoon raw honey 1 teaspoon lemon juice Towel
Once a week.
6. Gram Flour (Besan) And Honey
Gram flour helps to cleanse the skin and exfoliate it. It also helps to reduce excessive oil and tanning (9). This face mask can give you a clear complexion with regular use.
2 tablespoons gram flour (besan) 1 tablespoon raw honey Water Towel
3 times a week.
7. Curd/Yogurt And Honey
Yogurt contains L-cysteine that can help in lightening the skin tone (10). It helps to exfoliate the skin and brighten it and also has a cooling and skin-soothing effect. This face pack is excellent for soothing irritated skin and brightening it.
2 tablespoons curd or yogurt 1 tablespoon raw honey Towel
2 times a week.
8. Olive Oil And Honey
Olive oil is popularly used for oil cleansing. When massaged on the skin, it helps to clear skin pores and remove traces of dirt and impurities from your skin. In combination with honey, it can help keep your skin clear and prevent breakouts.
2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon olive oil Towel
2 times a week.
9. Turmeric And Honey
Turmeric has therapeutic benefits and can help in improving a lot of skin conditions, including acne (11). It has been used since ancient times for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This combination can keep your skin clear, soothe acne breakouts, and brighten your skin.
1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon raw honey 1 teaspoon yogurt Towel
1-2 times a week.
10. Rosewater And Honey
Rosewater exhibits antimicrobial activity and inhibits the growth of S. aureus bacteria that cause acne and other skin issues (12).
2 teaspoons rose water 1 tablespoon honey Towel
1- 2 times a week.
11. Honey And Sugar Scrub
The coarse texture of the sugar and honey scrub helps buff away all the dead cells on your skin’s surface. This helps keep your skin healthy and free of build-up. The scrub also readies your face for absorbing moisture and nutrients, so it would be a good idea to follow this up with a moisturizing and nourishing face mask.
2 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice Towel
2-3 times a week.
12. Honey And Coconut Oil
Extra virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe symptoms of skin conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (13). However, it does not suit all skin types, especially oily skin type, and may aggravate acne.
1 teaspoon extra virgin coconut oil 1 teaspoon honey
2 times a week.
13. Avocado And Honey
Avocado oil is rich in linoleic and linolenic acids, along with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Rat studies showed that it had excellent wound-healing abilities and could increase collagen density (14).
A teaspoon of avocado oil A teaspoon of raw honey
2-3 times a week.
14. Oatmeal And Honey
Colloidal oatmeal (boiled oats) is an excellent cleansing agent for the skin. It is rich in saponins that help to remove traces of dirt and impurities from the skin. It also helps to calm your skin by reducing inflammation (15).
2 tablespoons of boiled oats 1 tablespoon raw honey
2 times a week.
15. Shea Butter And Honey
The anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter help to calm your skin, soothe skin irritation. It also contains oleic, linoleic, stearic, and palmitic fatty acids that keep your skin healthy (13).
1 tablespoon of shea butter 1 tablespoon of raw honey
3 times a week. Honey is considered a safe ingredient for the skin. However, you need to be cautious before using it as it may cause some unwanted skin reactions.
Side Effects Of Using Honey For Face And Skin
Raw and unadulterated honey may cause allergic reactions. Raw honey may contain traces of pollen. Hence, if you are allergic to pollen and bee venom, avoid using raw honey on your face. It may cause symptoms, such as:
Rashes Watery eyes Wheezing Hives Sneezing Bumps on the skin Itchy throat
Before using honey, do a patch test to make sure it suits you. Also, never use honey for overnight application on your face. It is sticky, and you will not feel comfortable. It may also attract dust and other impurities and aggravate your skin condition (if any). If you want to buy organic honey online, here are a few suggestions.
Best Honey For Face
When looking for raw honey, check the appearance of the product. It will have a cloudy appearance. Also, raw honey crystallizes faster compared to regular honey. Hence, you need to put the bottle in warm water before using it. This is one way to identify raw and unfiltered honey. You can buy raw honey from the local farmers or online. Is it safe to apply honey on the face every day? Yes, unless you are allergic to it. Can you leave honey on the face overnight? No, it may attract dust and cause breakouts.
