How to Use Manuka Honey on the Face

Manuka Honey, a rare and unique honey derived from New Zealand’s native Manuka Bush, has long been touted for its potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. For centuries, New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori people have used it topically to heal skin infections and wounds, and today, it’s gained popularity as a natural skincare ingredient for its ability to help soothe inflammation, prevent infection, and address a variety of different skin conditions.

Wondering how to use Manuka Honey on the face to maximize its skincare benefits and reveal a clear, smooth, and glowing complexion? To help you get the most out of this incredible holistic remedy, we put together this comprehensive guide. Read on for a step-by-step guide for using Manuka Honey on the face, the low-down on its many abilities, and tips for how to use Manuka Honey on face conditions like acne, eczema, and more!

Why Should You Start Using Manuka Honey on Your Face?

With a rich history as a skin remedy and plenty of recent scientific research supporting its benefits, there are numerous advantages to using Manuka Honey on the face. Let’s explore them more in-depth.

Unique Healing Properties

Manuka Honey isn’t just your standard honey—think of it more as a supercharged version. Thanks to special compounds like methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and hydrogen peroxide, it boasts uniquely strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that set it apart from other types of honey. These help fight infections, promote wound healing, and reduce redness, swelling, and itchiness. Moreover, studies have shown it can also speed up tissue regeneration—again, contributing to its wound-healing abilities and why using Manuka Honey on face conditions like blemishes and even cuts and existing scars can be advantageous.

Rich in Antioxidants and Nutrients

Thanks to its high flavonoid content, Manuka Honey is rich in antioxidants, which help shield the skin against environmental stressors and prevent signs of premature aging like hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. It’s also rich in vitamins B and C, which can help brighten and rejuvenate the skin while soothing redness and inflammation. Furthermore, it contains essential minerals like zinc, magnesium, and calcium, which can help soothe and heal the skin, as well as probiotics, which help balance and support the skin’s microbiome.

Addressing Multiple Skin Concerns at Once

Because Manuka Honey is such a multifaceted ingredient, it packs a powerful punch, helping address a variety of different skin concerns at once. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help address more prominent skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema, while its other nutrients simultaneously work to help restore the skin’s moisture barrier, replenish dry skin, and improve early signs of aging like dark spots and fine lines. It’s also incredibly hydrating thanks to its humectant properties, which are beneficial to overall skin health and can further help alleviate a number of skin concerns.

Can I Use Manuka Honey on My Face Every Day?

Considering all of Manuka Honey’s incredible healing properties and skincare benefits, you might be thinking, Can I use Manuka Honey on my face every day? Whether or not you can will depend on a few factors.

Is Daily Use Safe for All Skin Types?

A big factor that determines how often to use Manuka Honey on the face is your skin type. While Manuka Honey is typically safe for daily use for all skin types, it’s still possible that it may cause irritation or a reaction for some. Very sensitive skin types should exercise caution while using it, beginning with a patch test and working your way up to daily use over time to ensure your skin can handle it. While oily and acne-prone skin types may benefit from its antibacterial properties, some may find it too heavy, and it may potentially irritate active breakouts. And, of course, if you have an allergy to bees, honey, or pollen, you should steer clear of using any Manuka Honey product, even if just topically on your skin.

Factors Influencing How Often to Use Manuka Honey on Face

Besides your skin type, a few other factors will influence how often to use Manuka Honey on your face. Using Manuka Honey on facial skin conditions can be very effective, but it’s best to consult your dermatologist to determine application frequency, as too often may cause an adverse reaction. Other ingredients in your typical skincare routine will also affect how and when you should use Manuka Honey on your face—more on that below.

Climate can also be a factor. In harsh, dry environments, Manuka Honey can be a nourishing ingredient to use often, whereas those in hot and humid areas may find it too heavy for daily use. What’s more, things like diet, hormonal fluctuations, stress levels, and recovery from skin treatments can influence your skin’s tolerance of active ingredients like Manuka Honey.

Listening to Your Skin as You Start Using Manuka Honey on Face

The most important thing to do when introducing any new skincare ingredient into your routine, Manuka Honey included, is to pay attention to how your skin reacts to it. Monitor your skin closely after the first few uses—if you notice any unusual adverse reactions like redness, irritation, or any other discomfort, you may need to reduce how often you use it or stop using it altogether.

How to Use Manuka Honey on the Face

New to Manuka? Whether you’re working with raw honey or a skincare product, follow these steps to learn how to use Manuka Honey on the face and ensure you apply it safely and effectively.

Cleansing Before Application

Starting with a clean base is key to maximizing the benefits of your skincare routine, including Manuka Honey. Prep your skin for application with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser—even better if it also contains Manuka—our Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm rinses away stubborn makeup, dirt, and impurities while nourishing the skin. Avoid harsh scrubbing to ensure you don’t cause irritation or inflame the skin, then gently pat dry before your next step.

Performing a Patch Test

Before using Manuka Honey on your full face, apply it to a small patch of skin, such as the inside of your wrist or behind your ear, to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction. Cleanse the area, then use a pea-sized amount to the test area and leave it on for about 30 minutes to an hour. Rinse off with lukewarm water, gently pat dry, and wait 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs. If you’re in the clear, move on to the next step.

Applying Manuka Honey as a Face Mask

Whether you’re using raw Manuka Honey or a Manuka Honey skincare product, use a clean finger or skincare spatula to apply a thin layer to the face, avoiding sensitive areas such as the undereye and the lips.

If you’re using raw honey, leave it on for 15-30 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser to remove any residue. For a Manuka Honey-infused face mask, leave it on for as long as its specific usage instructions recommend. However, if you’re using a Manuka Honey moisturizer as a hydrating mask—such as our Manuka Honey Whipped Oil—there’s no need to rinse off; let your skin absorb all of its goodness!

Combining Manuka Honey with Other Ingredients

Manuka Honey can be a great addition to your current skincare routine, but it’s important to consider what other actives and exfoliants you’re currently using. For example, while combining Manuka Honey with actives like Retinol, Vitamin C, or Niacinamide can be beneficial, using them together may be irritating for some. Instead, you can apply them at different times of the day or alternate application days altogether. In the case of exfoliating acids like Glycolic Acid (an AHA) or Salicylic Acid (a BHA), Manuka Honey can be a soothing treatment to apply afterward, but they shouldn’t be mixed together in the same application.

Post-Application Care

If you’re masking with a Manuka Honey product that needs to be rinsed off, follow it with a nourishing moisturizer to lock in hydration. Avoid using any active ingredients or exfoliants immediately following application to prevent unnecessary irritation. As we mentioned above, always monitor your skin after the first few uses to ensure your skin is tolerating it well.

Discover the Nourishing, Illuminating Power of Manuka Honey with Naturopathica’s Best-Selling Formulas

Now that you understand how to use Manuka Honey on your face, you just need to find the right product! At Naturopathica, we’ve meticulously crafted a collection of Manuka Honey formulas that harness its powerful healing and nourishing abilities. Our rich and creamy Manuka Honey Whipped Oil combines Manuka Honey with Jojoba Oil to help lock moisture into the skin. The Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm, another top-rated formula, expertly melts away stubborn makeup and other impurities without stripping the skin—it can also be purchased as a set, paired with our ultra-gentle cleansing brush. For an instant skin refresh, a spritz of our Lavender & Manuka Honey Balancing Mist helps balance skin and impart a dewy glow.

Manuka Honey can be just as beneficial on the skin below your chin, so we have formulas for the body, too. Our award-winning Manuka Honey Shower Body Exfoliator hydrates as it gently sloughs away dead skin, leaving skin smooth and radiant. It’s best followed with our Manuka Honey Creamy Body Lotion, a hydrating yet fast-absorbing formula that leaves skin soft and nourished.

Final Thoughts on How to Use Manuka Honey on the Face

Knowing how to use Manuka Honey on the face can be incredibly beneficial to your skin health journey, thanks to its soothing, hydrating, and healing properties. It can help address a litany of facial concerns, such as dry skin, signs of aging, and even conditions like rosacea, eczema, and acne—just be sure to use it in a way and frequency that your skin can tolerate. At Naturopathica, we offer a complete collection of clean, premium Manuka Honey products crafted to nourish and improve hydration, texture, and radiance of the skin on your face…and your body, too!