Try a Raw Honey Mask to Reduce Acne and Boost Skin’s Healthy Glow

Looking for Beauty Products that Work for My Skin

As someone who understands the struggle of acne (oh yes I do), I’m always looking for things that actually work for my skin and that truly make it not just look better, but feel better. Raw honey is one of those things.

Finding products and remedies for acne-prone skin can be a lot like playing the lottery – you frequently have high hopes, and you put out a lot of money, but you have minimal wins to show for it.  Raw honey is simple and natural, and is really great for reducing acne, moisturizing and soothing skin, and getting an overall clearer, more glowing complexion.

Why is Raw Honey Good for Acne-Prone Skin?

Raw honey…

• is naturally antibacterial, which is beneficial for reducing acne bacteria
• contains glycolic acid, which helps with gentle skin exfoliation (removing any dead, dull cells and allowing fresh, healthy cells to emerge), supporting both the healing of acne scars and a glowing, healthy complexion
• is moisturizing and naturally humectant (draws in water)
• has some anti-inflammatory properties, which help with skin redness (and the soreness that can come with acne)

HOW TO USE RAW HONEY TO HELP SOOTHE AND HEAL YOUR SKIN:

• Apply 1-2 tablespoons of raw honey all over your face (avoiding eyes) and leave on for desired time: 10 -30 minutes is about right. I usually leave a honey mask on for anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending how much time I have available. Too much longer than that and my skin starts to feel a little smothered.
• Wash off in warm water and then apply your favourite moisturizer/lotion.

NOTE: You can also use raw honey as your cleanser!

You can also wash your face in the morning with raw (or manuka – see below) honey. Honey won’t remove makeup, which is why I don’t recommend it for the evening, but it’s great for morning skin. You can also do a kind of cleanser/mask combo: simply smooth it on your face, go about your business for 10 or 15 minutes and then come back and wash it off. Apply your moisturizer and continue with your routine.

Other Questions You Might Have:

Why raw honey over the kind at the grocery store?

Most commercial honey has been pasteurized, meaning it’s been heated to a certain temperature to help destroy any pathogens or bacteria and to extend shelf-life and improve pourability. But as a result of this processing, the beneficial enzymes and natural particles and bits (like bee pollen) that make it healing and uniquely local are destroyed/removed. So opt for something from a local farmers market or even a local apiary, if you can contact them, and look for a label that says raw, or unprocessed/unpasteurized.

What about Manuka honey?

Manuka honey is also really awesome. Manuka honey is made by bees that have enjoyed an encounter with the Manuka bush, native to New Zealand. It’s honey with known and proven active medicinal qualities (referred to as the K factor – the higher the K factor, the greater the medicinal properties and the higher the cost), making it really truly excellent for acne and skin health.

Will raw honey make my acne worse?

Well, yes, this is the million dollar question. Short answer:  quite unlikely – the odds are on it improving your skin. Long answer: In my experience and personal quest for clear skin, I’ve developed my own theoretical rule: if 10 people with acne try the same highly rated product, 7 or 8 people will love it and give it five stars, 1 or 2 people will notice no difference, and 1 person will find it seems to make things worse.

This isn’t meant to scare you away from trying this (please do try it!), but simply to remind you that every person is unique and every body will respond differently because of our individiual cells and chemistry. That said, I think this is low-risk option with great potential for help, and if you find it doesn’t work, both raw honey and Manuka honey have tremendous value when taken internally as well. So you haven’t lost money. 🙂

To Sum it Up:

A honey mask using raw honey or manuka honey is a great way reduce acne, support skin healing, soothe skin redness and irritation, and boost skin’s glow and health. Even better, buying raw, local honey is a great way to support your local farmers and to put money back into your community’s economy.

As ever with attempting to heal and improve acne, experiment gently and with patience. In my experience, this is something that really works, and my hope is that this is a simple natural, beauty product that works for you too.

And just remember the thing with a face mask is that you have to accept that for a brief period of time you’ll look a little odd. Just close the shades a little and hope nobody knocks on the door. 🙂

© Emily Joldersma, R.H.N. Eat Well, Live Vibrantly