Is honey good for skin? I was thinking about it as I laid in bed with the flu over the holiday period. One of the few things that helps me feel better when I’m sick is a hot cup of tea with lemon and honey. The warmth soothes my inflamed throat and the honey has anti-inflammatory properties that help my immune system fight those nasty buggers. Works like a charm. So, is honeya miracle worker for skin too or are you slathering on those DIY honey face masks and Korean honey essences for nothing? Let’s take a look at what science says:
What Is Honey?
Honey is a thick, golden liquid bees make from the nectar of flowers. These industrious little animals collect the nectar, mix it with their own enzymes (you don’t want to know how they do that – it’ll ruin honey for you, trust me!) and store it into their beehive for eating when food is scarce. Honey is mostly sugar with a sprinkle of antioxidants and vitamins thrown in for good measure.
Is Honey Vegan?
Technically, honey is NOT vegan. Honey is a byproduct of bees. Paula’s Choice describes the process: “Although the starting point for honey is nectar from flowering plants, the bee itself makes the honey via digestive enzymes in its stomach and a regurgitation process that’s shared with other bees, followed by dehydration and storage in wax structures known as honeycombs. The bees use honey as a food source in the wild; however, when bees are carefully and ethically farmed, the hive’s workers produce much more honey than the colony needs to thrive. The excess is used as sweetener by people and in various skin care products.”
Honey Benefits For Skin: What Does It Do?
This delicious nectar is quite the multitasker. Here’s all honey does for your skin:
- Antibacterial: It inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi, helping wounds heal faster. It works thanks to its high osmolarity (high sugar/low water combo) that sucks water out of bacterial cells and its ability to release the bacteria killer hydrogen peroxide. Some say it works against P.Acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. The scientific jury’s still out on this but it seems honey may help create an inhospitable environment for P.Acnes.
- Anti-inflammatory: It soothes pain and reduces swelling, speeding up the healing process. Board-certified dermatologist Kenneth Howe shares that “One researcher has shown it to treat seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.” Makes sense. The root cause of all these skin conditions is inflammation.
- Antioxidant: “Honey is also incredibly rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamin B and vitamin C, which are key for healthy skin and protecting against damage caused by pollutants and other environmental irritants,” says Jenny Zhang, co-founder of Sjo Skin.
- Humectant: It attracts water from the air into the skin. This keeps skin well hydrated, plumps it up and makes it softer to the touch.
Related: What Are Humectants And Why Do You Need Them In Your Skincare Routine?
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Does It Matter What Type Of Honey You Use?
That’s a tricky question. All types of honeys have different compositions. This depends on what types of flowers bees use to make honey and where those flowers grow. As a rule, though, it doesn’t seem to matter if honey is raw or pasteurised. Both work just as well. But Manuka honey has stronger antibacterial activity than other types of honey.
Even so, I don’t recommend you put honey on your skin as is. Honey has a very acidic pH (between 1.5 to 2) that’s too harsh for your skin. I prefer to get my fix from pH balanced skincare products – as long as they contain enough honey. If you see it listed towards the bottom, don’t bother!
Side Effects Of Honey
Although honey is generally considered to be safe, if you are allergic to pollen, honey, bee venom and all things bee-related, stay away. It may cause an allergic reaction. If in doubt, always better to do a patch test first.
How To Use It
I personally recommend you use a serum or moisturiser infused with honey. Check the next section down this page for my top recommendations. You’ll get all the nourishing benefits without the sticky mess of using raw honey.
If you’re the DIY type and do want to use raw honey, here’s how to make a quick face mask for softer and brighter skin. Apply it on a wet face to melt away the stickiness. Be careful not to get honey into your eyes. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then wash it off. I personally don’t like how it feels on my skin, but it works.
Can You Leave Honey On Your Face Overnight?
You could… but it’s a very bad idea. First off, it’s super sticky and will leave a mess all over your bed sheets. Plus, it attracts all kinds of dirt and impurities onto your skin. You don’t want that, do you?
How Often Can You Use It?
It really depends. I wouldn’t use a raw honey mask more than a couple of times a week. But if it’s in a serum or moisturiser, you may be able to use it every day. Just follow the instructions on the label.
Who Should Use It?
All skin types can use it, but it’s best for dry skin and sensitive skin that’s not allergic to honey.
What Are The Best Skincare Products With Honey?
- Andalou Naturals Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask ($15.99): A hydrating mask with a gentle exfoliating action and plenty of antioxidants to smoothen skin, plump up wrinkles, and brighten the complexion. Available at Ulta and Yes Style.
- Cosrx Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner ($22.00): You don’t need a toner, but this is a great way to add honey (and its cousin properly) into your skincare routine. Super hydrating, it makes skin softer and soothes irritations. Available at iHerb, Sephora, Soko Glam, Stylevana, Ulta, and Yes Style.
- I’m From Honey Mask ($38.00): This mask is thick – a sure sign it’s loaded with honey. Plus, it’s enriched with natural oils and antioxidants to deeply moisturise even the driest of skin types and give your complexion a subtle glow. Use it when you want that, my-skin-but-better look. Did I mention it smells scrumptious too? Available at Soko Glam, Stylevana, Superdrug, Wishtrend, and Yes Style.
- Fresh Creme Ancienne Ultimate Nourishing Honey Mask ($184.00): This mask contains a whooping 38% honey + natural oils and shea butter to deeply moisturise skin. If you’re not allergic to the citrus scents, it’ll give you softer and suppler skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Fresh, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, and SpaceNK.
The Bottom Line
There you have it, all the honey benefits for skin. This sweet nectar is a skincare multitasker: it can hydrate skin, fight wrinkles and help wounds heal faster. But the jury’s still out there on whether or not it can get rid of acne too.
Hi Gio
What do you think about Guerlain’s “Abielle Royale” honey skincare collection? I’ve read the reviews on Paula’s Choice and seems like she doesn’t like any of the Abielle Royale items and rated only 1 star. I would like to hear about your opinions (since it seems like Paula doesn’t like almost anything else besides her own products, so I am not sure her opinions are objective and fair anymore). I really like the Abielle Royale face oil
Hi Alan, I hear ya! Paula has very high standards and is capable of giving a bad review just because she doesn’t like one ingredient – without taking into consideration how it’s used in the formula.
Having said that, I’m with Paula on this one. I wouldn’t have given all the products a 1 star rating but they’re definitely average. They’re basic moisturisers with just a sprinkle of antioxidants. Even the bee-derived ingredients are used in tiny concentrations. I’m sure they’re wonderful moisturisers that make your skin very soft and smooth but for that price, I’d expect some anti aging power as well and they don’t have it. 🙁
I read a lot about using honey as a natural cleanser (from BuzzFeed and other zero-waste free blogs).
They did mention that the pH level is quite similar to our face and they mentioned to use raw-honey out of others.
What’s your thought in this about using honey as a natural cleanser?
Jasmine, honey is sticky so it will be unpleasant to use. Plus, its pH can be a bit high. Why not just use oils, like jojoba instead?