Honey on the face can moisturize and has antibacterial properties. Patch test first.
Potential benefits
- Moisturizes as a humectant.
- Antibacterial: raw honey may inhibit acne bacteria.
- Soothes irritation.
- Manuka honey has higher antibacterial activity.
Evidence
Small studies. Not a proven acne cure.
How to use
Apply a thin layer for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse.
Cautions
Patch test first. Avoid with bee or pollen allergy.
What evidence exists
Honey has humectant properties, which means it draws water into skin, and has antimicrobial activity from hydrogen peroxide and low pH. Medical-grade manuka honey is used in wound dressings and has FDA clearance for that use. Evidence for facial benefits is limited and mostly based on small studies.
- A 2012 study in Journal of Cosmetic and Dermatological Sciences found honey helped seborrheic dermatitis in a small trial.
- Honey has not been proven to treat acne or reduce wrinkles, and results from home use vary.
- The Methylglyoxal rating (MGO) in manuka honey indicates antibacterial strength.
How to use and cautions
Apply a thin layer of raw or pure honey for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water, no more than 2 to 3 times weekly. Patch test on the inner forearm first. People with bee pollen, pollen or honey allergies can react. Do not apply to broken or infected skin without medical advice. Never give honey to infants under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.
What evidence exists
Honey contains sugars, water, small amounts of enzymes and phenolic compounds, and has antibacterial properties from hydrogen peroxide and low water activity. Medical grade manuka honey is cleared by the FDA for wound dressings. For facial use, evidence is limited: small studies suggest honey may help with mild acne or dermatitis through moisturizing and antimicrobial effects, but large trials are lacking. A 2012 trial on seborrheic dermatitis using diluted honey showed improvement in a small group.
How to use and cautions
A common method is to apply a thin layer of raw honey to clean skin for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. Do a patch test on the inner arm first, since honey can cause allergic contact reactions, especially in people allergic to bee products or pollen. Avoid on broken or infected skin. Honey is not suitable to feed infants under one year because of botulism risk, but topical use on adult skin does not carry this risk.
Skin science
Honey is hygroscopic, drawing water into skin, and its low pH (3.2 to 4.5) and enzyme produced hydrogen peroxide inhibit bacteria. Manuka honey graded by methylglyoxal content (MGO 100 to 850 mg/kg) is used in wound care. A 2020 review concluded honey based dressings may speed healing of partial thickness burns.
Practical advice
Use raw or medical grade honey, not honey mixed with sugar syrup. Mix with yogurt or oatmeal for a mask. Avoid on cystic acne with open lesions. Honey is not sterile unless medical grade. Allergy to bee pollen can cause reactions. Rinse thoroughly, and moisturize afterward.
Based on data from the Cochrane Library and the American Academy of Dermatology
