Top 10 Benefits of Honey for Face and Skin

They don’t call it nature’s “liquid gold” for nothing! The benefits of honey go far beyond its flavour. It has wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Whether you are dealing with acne, dullness, or dryness, honey is a trusted beauty staple. It helps lock in moisture, soothes irritation, and restores your natural glow without any harsh chemicals. That is why so many skincare routines include it. ^{1 2}

In this blog, we will explore the benefits of honey for skin and face, the science behind them, and simple ways to use it at home. We will also take a look at some precautionary measures for safe usage. Read on.

Is Honey Good for Your Skin?

Yes, honey is a natural humectant. This means it can draw moisture from the air into your skin. This keeps it hydrated and plump. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. These make it a versatile solution for various skin concerns. ^{1 2}

What Nutrients Make Honey Good for Your Skin?

The skin-benefitting properties of honey come from its nutrients that include: ³

• Sugars, which have hydrating and antimicrobial benefits
• Amino acids and organic acids, which act like humectants
• Vitamins like B & C that have nourishing and antioxidant properties
• Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc that have nourishing properties

10 Benefits of Honey for Skin & Face That May Surprise You

Here are the top 10 honey benefits for skin you should know about:

1) Promotes Hydration and Moisturization

Honey acts as a natural humectant and moisturiser for your skin. It draws moisture from the air into your skin to keep it plump and hydrated. This makes it ideal for people with dry or flaky skin. Since honey is also non-irritating, people with sensitive skin may also benefit from it. ³

2) Offers Anti-Acne Benefits

You can also use honey for acne-prone skin due to its antibacterial properties. These help eliminate acne-causing bacteria to prevent breakouts. Honey also has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce the redness and swelling linked to acne and pimples. ^{3 4}

3) Promotes Natural Glow

Honey is rich in antioxidants. These help fight free radicals to protect your skin cells from damage. This keeps your skin healthy and away from concerns like pigmentation and inflammatory skin conditions. The moisturising properties of honey also impart a natural glow to your skin. ³

4) Has Anti-Ageing Benefits

The antioxidants in honey are also beneficial for skin aging. This is again because antioxidants help fight free radicals that lead to skin ageing. Regular use of honey for the skin may help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. A study even tested a manuka honey-based face serum on 40 women aged 40-55 for 8 weeks. Participants used the serum twice daily and reported noticeable improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and overall skin health as early as week 2. The study suggests that honey may be effective in supporting healthier, more youthful-looking skin. ^{5 3}

5) Offers Wound Healing Properties

One of the best manuka honey skin benefits includes wound healing. This was observed in a study involving 15 patients (aged 20-50) with chronic wounds. It tested the topical use of dressings made with manuka honey alongside antibiotics. After initial application of saline, researchers applied honey directly to wounds.

Results showed a significant reduction in wound depth. There were no side effects like pain, swelling, or infection. The study concludes that manuka honey is an effective and well-tolerated wound dressing material that may promote tissue repair, manage inflammation, and support healing. ⁶

6) Soothes Irritated Skin

If you suffer from sensitive skin or inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, honey can bring relief. Its anti-inflammatory and healing properties may calm redness, irritation, and itchiness. ⁴

7) Helps Fade Scars and Pigmentation

Studies suggest that honey may help repair damaged tissue. This may be helpful in minimising acne scars and skin pigmentation. Honey also has antioxidants that help fight free radicals to protect skin cells from damage. This can reduce the risk of pigmentation in the first place. ^{7 3}

8) Supports Skin Barrier Function

Honey may help restore the skin barrier by enhancing hydration. Researchers tested hand creams containing different amounts of honey. Twenty-four volunteers applied the creams to their hands, and researchers measured skin parameters like moisture, smoothness, and wrinkle depth. After 4 weeks, the honey creams significantly improved skin hydration up to 30% and reduced wrinkle depth up to 12%. ⁸

9) Provides Antimicrobial Protection

Honey has natural antibacterial properties. These help inhibit the growth of harmful microbes, including bacteria and fungi, on the skin. This may help prevent infections and support overall skin health. ⁹

10) Soothes & Protects Sun Damaged Skin

Honey’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help protect the skin from UV-induced damage by fighting free radicals. Studies show that tualang honey can reduce DNA damage in UVB-irradiated skin cells. So, honey may soothe sunburn and reduce redness. It may also lower the risk of skin cancer. Despite this, it is still recommended that you wear sunscreen to keep your skin protected from photoaging. ⁴

How to Use Honey for Skin?

If you wish to enjoy the benefits of honey, here are some simple ways to use it for your skin:

• As a Moisturiser: Wondering how to use honey on the face? Simply apply a thin layer of raw honey on your face for 15–20 minutes, then rinse. 
• For Acne: Dab honey on pimples and leave for 10-15 minutes before washing.
• Face Mask: Add honey to your face packs for added benefits, apply for 15-20 minutes, then rinse.
• Lip Care: Apply a thin layer of raw honey on your lips for 10-15 minutes, and rinse.

Precautions & When to Avoid

While honey is mostly safe for the skin, there are still a few precautionary measures you should take while using it. Some of them include:

• Always do a patch test before applying honey to your face to avoid allergic reactions.
• If you are allergic to honey, avoid using it even on your skin.
• Do not leave honey on your skin for more than 30 minutes, as it can get sticky and attract dirt.
• Always rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Final Thoughts

All these benefits of honey truly make it a skincare superfood. It helps hydrate, brighten, and protect your skin naturally. It also has wound healing, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. By incorporating honey masks and scrubs into your skincare routine, you can achieve radiant, healthy skin without relying on chemical-laden products. So, next time you reach for your kitchen cabinet, do not just think of honey as a sweetener. Think of it as liquid gold for your skin!

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