The Manuka Honey benefits for skin are more layered than you might think. 

While most people associate honey with diet, it’s one of our most popular skincare ingredients. But how is Manuka Honey good for your skin? We’ll explore the countless Manuka Honey skincare benefits below and show you all that it can do for YOU.

Plus, you’ll learn how to tap into the benefits of Manuka Honey for skin with our world-renowned lineup of Manuka Honey skin care products here at Naturopathica!

What is Manuka Honey For Skin and How is it Different From Regular Honey? 

Manuka Honey is derived exclusively from New Zealand’s native Manuka Bush. This golden elixir is brimming with antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids - much like regular honey. But, it also has special compounds like methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and hydrogen peroxide. These have strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. 

While it’s been ingested for centuries for its immune-supporting, digestion-improving, and oxidative-stress-fighting benefits, you’re really here to learn about the health benefits of Manuka Honey from a skin perspective. 

Long story short, using Manuka Honey on skin can promote healing, prevent infection, soothe inflammation, and retain moisture. Let’s take a closer look.

Is Manuka Honey Good For Your Skin? 5 Manuka Honey Benefits for Skin You’ve Been Missing Out On

So, why is Manuka Honey good for your skin? Manuka Honey’s benefits for skin are extensive. It’s used not only in its raw form but also infused into countless skincare formulas, ranging from cleansers and body washes to moisturizers, masks, and more.

Here are the five biggest Manuka Honey skin benefits.

Powerful Antibacterial Properties

One of the top reasons Manuka Honey is good for your skin? Its unique MGO compound has potent antibacterial properties. This is why you hear so much about Manuka Honey for acne.

It can not only help prevent infections and help heal wounds, but also improve blemishes and breakouts by preventing the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acne from breeding.

Deep Hydration and Moisture Retention

Manuka Honey is a natural humectant. In other words, it attracts moisture to the skin and keeps it there. This keeps skin hydrated and protected, all while repairing its natural moisture barrier. Great for soothing dry skin and managing conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Promotes Healing and Skin Repair

One of the many health benefits of Manuka Honey is in helping the skin heal itself - which is why you’ve probably heard about Manuka Honey for old scars.

It helps promote a clean healing environment and helps prevent scarring, while its anti-inflammatory effects help soothe and reduce redness, swelling, and irritation. 

Natural Exfoliation and Skin Brightening

Manuka Honey has mild exfoliating properties thanks to its natural enzymes, which dissolve surface-level dead skin cells and help brighten and smooth out the skin. It’s quite gentle compared to other exfoliants out there (both chemical and physical). 

Antioxidant Protection

Another reason Manuka Honey is good for your skin? It’s rich in antioxidants thanks to both its high flavonoid content and MGO, which, in addition to having strong antibacterial properties, has also been shown to have antioxidant activity. 

Antioxidants are a powerful topical when it comes to skin health, as they help shield the skin against environmental stressors, reduce oxidative stress, improve healing, and promote tissue regeneration. They also help prevent signs of premature aging like hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles while promoting a brighter, more even-toned, and radiant complexion.

See and Feel the Manuka Honey Skincare Benefits Firsthand at Naturopathica!

Naturopathica only uses high-quality Manuka Honey with a Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) of 16+, so you can trust you’re getting the good stuff your skin really needs.

Each formula delivers the benefits of Manuka Honey for skin along with other potent botanicals while omitting harmful or unnecessary fillers or additives. For example:

• Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm nourishes and hydrates the skin as it melts away dirt, stubborn makeup, and even your SPF. 
• Manuka Honey Whipped Oil features Jojoba Oil to deeply nourish and hydrate the complexion. 
• Manuka Honey Shower Body Exfoliator gently sloughs away dead skin to reveal smooth, glowing skin. It’s best followed with our Manuka Honey Creamy Body Lotion.

Take a look at our lineup or use our skincare quiz to find the perfect formulas featuring Manuka Honey for skin. In the meantime, we want to show you how to use Manuka Honey to tap into its full potential.

Tips on Harnessing the Benefits of Manuka Honey For Skin

Always follow the specific instructions included with the product you’ve purchased. Here are some different ways you can tap into the Manuka Honey benefits for skin:

Daily Use in Cleansers and Moisturizers

Cleansers and moisturizers are the easiest ways to harness Manuka Honey’s skin benefits on a daily basis. You’ll also only want to use trusted skincare brands that you know use high-quality honey, like Naturopathica!

Applying Manuka Honey as a Spot Treatment for Blemishes

The Manuka Honey benefits for skin include stopping acne-causing bacteria in its tracks. Simply cleanse the area and apply a thin layer of Manuka Honey to the problem area using clean fingers or a spatula. 

Let it sit on the skin for 10-20 minutes so the honey can work its magic. Then, rinse off with lukewarm water. Pat dry and follow with your favorite non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Whenever applying raw Manuka Honey for skin, only use high-quality honey with a UMF rating of at least 10+ to ensure it has strong enough antibacterial properties for therapeutic use. 

Pairing with Complementary Ingredients

Manuka Honey has little potential for side effects. It can pair well with many other common skincare ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Aloe Vera, and Squalane. 

It can also work well with stronger actives like Retinoids, Vitamin C, Benzoyl Peroxide, AHAs (like Glycolic and Lactic Acids), and BHAs (like Salicylic Acid), but watch out for dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. 

If you’re going to use these ingredients, make sure to only apply them after thoroughly washing off the Manuka Honey. Or, you can alternate usage - applying Manuka Honey on days you’re not using these other actives.

Consistency is Key With Manuka Honey

The Manuka Honey benefits for skin come with consistency and patience. In general, two to three times per week is a great place to start with Manuka Honey for skin - enough for your skin to reap its benefits without overloading it. 

You’ll likely notice softer, calmer, and more hydrated skin after just one use, but longer-term benefits such as acne reduction, scar fading, eczema management, and texture and tone improvement are more gradual. 

Wrapping Up Our Guide to the Manuka Honey Benefits for Skin

Now that you have a better understanding of why Manuka Honey is good for your skin, it’s time to start incorporating it into your routine. Shop our top-rated, fan-favorite collection of nourishing, healing, and antioxidant-packed formulas today to reap the benefits of Manuka Honey for skin without the stickiness or mess!