MANUKA HONEY FOR ACNE and PIMPLES

honey good for acne? Honey good for pimples?

Honey is a natural ingredient with many benefits, consuming honey can be very beneficial and it is the perfect substitute for sugar. One of the many reasons why honey is beneficial for the body is because it contains antibacterial properties. Acne is caused by bacteria and therefore honey can be an effective treatment for acne. Honey does not have the ability to kill all types of bacteria. It cannot kill propionibacterium acnes which is the major cause of acne . So, long story short, honey for acne treatment may not be the best option. Having said that, honey does help with wound healing. It contains fatty acids, peptides, amino acids, antioxidants, and B vitamins that can help visibly minimise the redness that is commonly associated with acne breakouts. If your acne or breakouts are inflamed or look angry, honey might help calm it down and accelerate the healing process.

Which honey is good for acne?

Yes, honey helps in calming down inflamed acne. Does that mean you will go to the kitchen, take the jar of conventional honey, apply it on your acne and expect results? You won’t get any, as most conventional forms of honey you get in the market are processed and therefore may not have antibacterial properties. You need to look for raw honey that is natural, unheated and unprocessed. Manuka honey in particular is considered to be the best type of honey to treat acne, as it has better antibacterial effects. So, if you can get your hands on manuka honey, buy it because it is good for your health and acne.

How to use Manuka honey for acne?

There are various ways to use honey for acne, you can apply it directly on the skin or mix it with another natural ingredient for better results. However, your skin may react to some of these ingredients, so if you have sensitive skin, we recommend against trying these and visiting a dermatologist to tackle your acne problem.

1. Manuka Honey and cinnamon

Honey and cinnamon are considered to be the perfect pair in the treatment of acne. This could be because cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory properties, and when mixed with honey the two can calm acne and yield faster results. Here’s what you need to do to make your cinnamon and honey spot treatment for acne.

Method: Take a teaspoon of cinnamon and add enough honey to make a thick paste. Mix well and apply the mixture only on the acne as a spot treatment. Leave it on for a few hours and wash off with a mild cleanser.

Caution: Cinnamon can be slightly irritating on the skin therefore a patch test is recommended before trying this DIY treatment.

2. Manuka Honey and turmeric

Turmeric is a natural ingredient that has innumerable benefits, its use in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine is centuries old. Wounds and cuts heal faster when turmeric is applied on it, this happens because of the antiseptic and healing properties of turmeric. Mixing it with the goodness of honey makes it an efficient treatment option for acne.

Method: Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder and honey to form a paste. Cleanse your face with a face wash, pat dry, then apply this mixture all over like a mask. Leave it on for about 20 minutes then wash off with lukewarm water. This turmeric and honey for acne mask will also give you glowing skin.

3. Apple cider vinegar and honey mixture

Apple cider vinegar and Manuka honey for acne is considered to be another effective treatment. Apple cider vinegar is known for its pore reducing and oil-controlling abilities. Some people claim that ACV also offers relief from acne, however, there is no research to prove this. When mixed with honey it can heal acne and reduce inflammation. Never apply ACV without diluting it first, it is highly acidic and can cause irritation on the skin.

Method: Dilute a teaspoon of ACV with a teaspoon of water, then add some honey. Mix it well and apply on cleansed face and wash off after 15-20 minutes.

4. Manuka honey and Tea tree oil and

Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It's thought to calm redness, swelling, and inflammation. A lot of skincare products formulated for acne-prone skin contain this ingredient. If you have tea tree essential oil at home, mix it with honey to get the perfect DIY treatment for acne. Do a patch test to ensure you are not allergic to it.

Method: To make your tea tree oil and honey for acne cleanser, take 2-3 drops of diluted tea tree oil and add a teaspoon of honey. Massage the mixture on your face then leave it on for a few minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.

5. Manuka Honey and Neem

Neem has strong antimicrobial properties; it is used in the treatment of bacterial infections as well as acne. Regular application of neem oil or neem powder on the face is said to reduce a lot of skin problems, including acne. Mixing it with honey will make it more effective in fighting acne.

Method: To prepare your neem and honey for acne face mask, take ground neem leaves or dried neem leaves powder and mix it with honey to form a paste. Then apply it to your face and wash it off once it has dried off with lukewarm water. Repeat this daily until your acne has reduced.