The Many Skin Benefits of Manuka Honey

Have you heard about the skin benefits of manuka honey? Let’s take a look at what sets manuka honey apart from regular ol’ honey + how it helps keep skin naturally healthy, clear, youthful, and hydrated. Yes, all that!

Miracles do happen, my friend.

And every week or so, I apply a little miracle to my skin: manuka honey.

Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush. It is used in both traditional and modern medicine (yep!) for its natural antibacterial properties.

In addition to containing hydrogen peroxide, manuka honey is high in the antibacterial methylglyoxal (MG). MG is found in most types of honey in small quantities. However, manuka honey contains up to 100 times more MG than normal honey.

Here are a few recognizable bacteria and viruses that MG has been shown to kill when tested in a lab environment:

• Helicobacter pylori (i.e. H. pylori): The bacterium known to cause many stomach ulcers and “leaky gut” syndrome
• Staphylococcus aureus (i.e. staph infection) and MRSA: These “super-bugs” are known for their resistance to many antibiotics
• Escherichia coli (i.e. E. Coli): Known to cause serious food poisoning
• Streptococcus pyogenes (i.e. strep throat): The bacterium known to cause strep throat

Pretty amazing, huh?

But manuka honey belongs on your bathroom shelf as much as it does in a medical clinic or hospital.

Manuka honey benefits the skin in SO many ways…

Manuka honey helps keep skin clear

Manuka honey works wonders for blemished skin because of its aforementioned natural antibacterial properties.

It is also a potent anti-inflammatory, so soothes inflamed skin while healing blemishes.

In other words: this sticky-sweet substance is your problem skin’s best friend (or worst enemy, depending on which way you want to look at it).

Manuka honey helps slow the signs of aging

MG has been shown to increase collagen cross-linking, promoting the structural growth of collagen in skin cells. Healthy collagen means healthy, firm, youthful-looking skin.

Manuka honey helps skin retain moisture

Manuka honey is a natural humectant, drawing moisture into the skin. Hydrated skin looks smoother and more youthful, and heals more quickly.

But not all manuka honey is created equally

The bioactivity or strength, so to speak, of manuka honey varies and is indicated by a number ranging between 5 and 25.

• UMF 5-9: low activity levels
• UMF 10-15: moderate activity levels
• UMF 16+: high activity levels

Yes, it looks pricey and it is.

But a 12 oz jar will last a VERY long time, particularly if you are using it for topical use only.

Plus, manuka honey has a practically infinite shelf life.

So how can you use manuka honey on your skin?

As I mentioned at the very beginning of this post, I use manuka honey weekly as a face mask. Yes, that’s it!

After washing and gently exfoliating my face, I pat it dry and apply a very thin (probably about a teaspoon total) layer of manuka honey. I let it sit at least 30 minutes, then wash it off with warm water and apply my DIY face oil for oily and acne-prone skin.

When it comes down to it, manuka honey makes for a super simple, all-natural, effective face mask.

Sources and further reading

• WebMD, Manuka Honey
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Integrative Medicine: Manuka Honey
• Dr. Oz, Healing Honey
• Living Nature, Active Manuka Honey