Honey has long been valued in skincare for its naturally soothing and moisture-supporting properties. The form you’ve heard all the skincare benefits about is Manuka Honey, which comes specifically from bees that pollinate the Manuka bush.

We’ll take a closer look at the differences between Manuka Honey vs Raw Honey for skin below, showing you why one offers more unique skincare benefits. But the short answer is that it has way more Methylglyoxal (MGO), which is where the skincare benefits come from.

Discover how UMF-certified Manuka Honey skin care products supports healthy-looking skin—and explore our collection formulated with premium New Zealand Manuka Honey.

Key Takeaways

• Raw Honey’s antibacterial potential comes from Hydrogen Peroxide. The problem is, it breaks down over time as light and heat degrade it.
• Manuka Honey has up to 100x more MGO than conventional raw honey, so its antibacterial property isn’t dictated by enzyme activity OR Hydrogen Peroxide.
• The UMF grading system tells you how potent a Manuka Honey product is based on MGO and Leptosperin content. Higher UMF = stronger purity and potency.
• Manuka Honey is the more premium ingredient, but its sourcing and clinical benefits make it a thoughtful investment in the long run.
• Naturopathica formulates every Manuka Honey product with UMF 16+ Honey sourced from New Zealand, based on 30+ years of spa heritage. This is where nature and science meet.

Manuka Honey vs Raw Honey For Skin

People have used Honey on their skin for centuries - both Manuka Honey and Raw Honey. But the distinction between Manuka Honey vs Raw Honey for skin does matter. The compounds in each are different enough that you should know what you’re really getting. 

Where They Come From

It starts with where each type of Honey comes from and how it’s made. 

How Raw Honey is Made

Raw Honey isn’t pasteurized or ultrafiltered. Bees collect nectar from whatever flowers they can fly to close to their hive. The honey they make is bottled up without any high-heat processing, so all the natural enzymes and trace nutrients are locked in.

Glucose Oxidase is the enzyme from Raw Honey that we care about most for skin support. It makes a little bit of Hydrogen Peroxide upon coming into contact with moisture on your skin. It’s not much, but it can generate some antibacterial activity to encourage better wound healing.

It’s just very unstable. Light and heat can both take a toll on Hydrogen Peroxide. The jar of Raw Honey sitting in your bathroom is slowly but surely losing its healing potential. The antibacterial strength all depends on the flowers the bees originally pollinated, too. There’s just a level of inconsistency with Raw Honey that makes it hard to justify in any skincare routine. 

What Makes Manuka Honey Different?

There are stricter standards in place in order for something to be called “Manuka Honey.” First and foremost, it must come from bees pollinating the Manuka Bush (Leptospermum scoparium), which lives in New Zealand. That separates it from every other Honey variety.

The thing about the Manuka bush that makes it so special is that its nectar has Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA becomes Methylglyoxal (MGO) inside the beehive over time. MGO is where Manuka Honey’s antibacterial potential comes from. Totally different from how Raw Honey works to support the skin’s healing abilities.

It’s not uncommon for Manuka Honey to have 100x higher MGO concentrations than Raw Honey. But more importantly, MGO is heat-stable - so you don’t have to play the guessing game about how much of it is actually left in a product by the time it gets put on your skin.

The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) grading system tells you the exact MGO content of a skincare product. It also tells you the Leptosperin content and DHA levels. 

How Concentrated the Beneficial Compounds Are

This is the practical difference between Manuka Honey vs Raw Honey for skin that actually matters. And credit where it’s due - there is some good stuff within Raw Honey that your skin needs. Trace amounts of Vitamins and Amino Acids to go with its Hydrogen Peroxide.

At the end of the day, though, you’re really just getting a mild humectant with a little bit of antibacterial support - and the level of concentration varies from one jar to the next. 

On the other hand, everything is standardized with Manuka Honey - so there’s a level of certainty that just can’t exist with Raw Honey. UMF 16+ Manuka Honey has a verified minimum MGO level, so you can rest assured it helps support healthy-looking skin.

Manuka Honey benefits for skin go beyond those of Raw Honey. In addition to drawing moisture into the skin barrier and providing a gentle occlusive layer, it may even have powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that help support the skin barrier. That’s why you’ll hear about Manuka Honey for everything from acne to scarring, eczema, and more. It’s incredibly versatile.  

Cost Comparison

We get asked all the time, why is Manuka Honey so expensive? The simplest way to think about it is that you get what you pay for. In this case, you’re paying a premium for strict sourcing standards, testing protocols, and, in the end, skincare benefits.

Raw honey runs anywhere from $5 to $15 per jar. A jar of UMF 16+ Manuka Honey typically falls between $40 and $80. But as you are starting to see from this comparison of Manuka Honey vs Raw Honey for skin, that reflects more thoughtful sourcing and clinical backing.

New Zealand is the only viable source for Manuka Honey, and the Manuka bush blooms for only 2-6 weeks per year. Every batch gets put through intense independent lab analysis before it’s awarded a UMF rating.

Plus, the skincare products you’re actually buying aren’t pure Manuka Honey - at least, they shouldn’t be. You’re getting Manuka Honey formulated alongside complementary botanicals to really give your skin the nourishment and care it needs to thrive. 

So, Is Manuka Honey Better Than Raw Honey?

Yes, at least for skincare specifically. The body of research on Manuka Honey’s skincare benefits is well-documented, from hydration to calming inflammatory conditions. You cannot say the same for Raw Honey. 

Choosing between Manuka Honey vs Raw Honey for skin is easy if you’re seeking clinically informed botanical skincare. Especially if you’re dealing with dryness, irritation, acne, scarring, or anything else that this skincare superhero can help with. But, you have to know how to use it properly to unlock its full potential in your ritual.

Tips on Using Manuka Honey in Your Skincare Routine

The good news is that you don’t need any sort of complicated ritual to make the most of Manuka Honey. There are plenty of great products at your fingertips that provide it in the perfect concentration, alongside the right complementary ingredients.

Before we get into how to use it, though, what can it do for your skin that Raw Honey can’t?

What Can You Use Manuka Honey For?

Raw Honey doesn’t do anything more than provide basic hydration. Manuka Honey does that and then some. It’s a humectant, so it actively pulls moisture into your skin from the environment. Then, it keeps it there so your skin stays hydrated. It addresses dryness at the source rather than just moisturizing on the surface.

Manuka Honey’s MGO content also helps your skin be more resilient against bacteria. That’s why you see it used for managing breakouts. But its anti-inflammatory properties can also help calm reactive skin, making Manuka Honey for eczema a powerful play.

Whether you’re trying to use Manuka Honey for the face or body, it’s also a wonderful cleansing agent that never leaves your skin feeling tight. Just cared for. It even works incredibly well in exfoliating formulas, breathing fresh life into dull, tired-looking skin. Some people even rely on Manuka Honey for fine lines and uneven skin tone.

The possibilities go on and on. We have a formula for every goal here at Naturopathica. 

Find Your New Favorite Soothing Formula at Naturopathica

We’ve been using Manuka Honey in our spas for decades, and we also make it easy to bring Manuka Honey into your own skincare routine with tailored formulas for every purpose. Here are three of our personal favorites that feature Manuka Honey. 

Manuka Honey Shower Body Exfoliator

This Manuka Honey exfoliator clears away dead skin cells while nourishing deep into the skin barrier. It’s powered by a Vitamin-rich blend of Fruit Enzymes along with Alpha + Beta Hydroxy Acids for faster exfoliation with less irritation. We’ve even included a mix of soothing botanical extracts to keep redness at bay and protect the area as it’s being scrubbed. 

Manuka Honey Creamy Body Lotion

Our Manuka Honey moisturizer absorbs instantaneously without leaving behind a greasy residue, so you can use it any time of day to keep your skin hydrated. An herbal infusion of soothing oils and extracts fight off the signs of redness, irritation, and sensitivity. 

Manuka Honey Cleansing Set

Replace harsh cleansers with our nourishing Manuka Honey cleanser paired with an ultra-soft Facial Cleansing Brush. The balm combines Manuka Honey with Probiotics and Biomimetic Royal Jelly Peptide (Pentapeptide-48) to cleanse while supporting your skin's microbiome. Meanwhile, the brush gently exfoliates, helping to prepare skin for a thorough cleanse without stripping or irritating.

Application Tips and Pairing Suggestions

Start with the cleanser, which is super easy to use. All you need is a small amount of the balm applied to dry skin. Then, dip the cleansing brush in warm water and brush outwards and upwards, starting at the chest. 

Emulsify the balm on your face with a splash of warm water. Massage it in, pat the skin dry, and if needed for a specific concern, follow up with a second cleanser:

• Dry Skin: Chamomile Cleansing Milk
• Oily Skin: Colloidal Silver & Salicylic Acid Acne Clearing Cleanser
• Balanced Skin: Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel

You can finish up with our Creamy Body Lotion to lock in moisture for the most supple skin you’ve ever felt. Everything we sell is backed by our Clean Beauty Guarantee, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin.

Bottom Line on Manuka Honey vs Raw Honey For Skin

We hope this comparison of Manuka Honey vs Raw Honey for skin has left you clear on how they’re similar, but more importantly, where they have distinct benefits. 

In closing, is Manuka Honey better than Raw Honey? Yes, Manuka Honey offers distinct advantages over conventional raw honey thanks to its verified potency, unique bioactive compounds, and consistent quality. 

Every Manuka Honey skincare product at Naturopathica brings UMF 16+ potency into a science-backed formula featuring other helpful botanical ingredients. Order now and experience the difference firsthand!