Looking for a natural remedy for your acne problem? Using honey can help you with that! With an age-old reputation for offering numerous health and skin benefits, honey is known to be beneficial for acne treatment as well.
However, there are many myths associated with honey and its use for acne. We bust the myths and give you a clear picture of how you can use honey for acne. Let’s start.
Highlights:
How Does Honey Help You Treat Acne?
Acne seems like a never-ending problem and most people are willing to try everything to get rid of it. While trying every option is not worth your while, natural remedies can be helpful. Among all natural remedies available for acne, honey is a popular choice. While honey alone won’t cure your acne completely, it definitely can soothe and heal the damaged skin. It may also help you reduce acne scars.
Honey is effective, due to its high level of antibacterial properties. It contains glucuronic acid which gets converted to glucose oxidase over time. When you apply honey to your skin, the glucose oxidase immediately transforms into hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide plays the same role as benzoyl peroxide which is used in anti-acne products.
Experts suggest that raw or unprocessed honey has the best effect on acne. As processed honey loses its antibacterial properties, it does not work on acne. [1] Another popular honey called Manuka honey is known to be even better at treating acne. Studies have shown that Manuka is better, due to its higher amount of antibacterial properties. [2]
Honey works best for red inflamed acne. It helps to draw the impurities out of the acne. Honey has other substances like fatty acids, vitamin B, peptides, amino acids, antioxidants etc that leave a soothing effect on your acne. These calming compounds reduce the redness of acne and also fade the marks post healing.
Myths Vs Facts Of Honey
Myths |
Facts |
Honey does not have any chemicals. |
Natural does not mean that it is chemical-free. Natural ingredients are also composed of several chemical substances such as flavonoids, polyphenols etc. |
Honey is the best option for allergy-prone skin. |
Honey is soothing for your skin and that’s why it is recommended for sensitive skin. But honey has pollen and bee proteins, which can cause allergic reactions to some people. The chances of allergies are low but never zero. [3] |
Any kind of honey can cure acne. |
Not every honey is good for your skin. Processed honey does not offer the same qualities as raw honey. The antibacterial properties are much lower in processed honey. |
How To Use Honey For Acne?
1. Raw Honey On Face
Ingredients
1.Unprocessed honey
Steps
1. Wash your face thoroughly with a mild face wash. (preferably anti-acne face wash)
2. Take few drops of honey into your palm
3. Apply the honey directly to your acne with your fingertips.
4. Leave it for 30 minutes.
5. Wash it off with water.
2. Honey & Lemon Mask
Ingredients
1. Lemon Juice (1 lemon)
2. 1 tablespoon of raw honey
Steps
1. Pour the lemon juice into a bowl.
2. Add the raw honey to it.
3. Mix them with a spoon.
4. Apply the mixture to your acne.
5. Leave it for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
3. Honey & Yogurt
Ingredients
1. Half cup of yogurt
2. 2 tablespoons of honey
Steps
1. Pour the yogurt into the bowl.
2. Add the honey.
3. Mix both the ingredients well.
4. Apply it all over your face. (except eyes)
5. Let it dry.
6. Wash the pack once it’s dry.
4. Honey & Aloe Vera
Ingredients
1. 2 tablespoons of aloe vera
2. 1 tablespoon of honey
Steps
1. Pour the aloe vera gel into the bowl.
2. Add the honey to the gel.
3. Mix them carefully.
4. Apply the mixture to your acne using your fingertip.
5. Leave it for at least 20 minutes.
6. Rinse the face pack with water.
5. Honey & Mashed Banana
Ingredients
1. 1 ripe banana
2. 1 tablespoon of honey
Steps
1. Mash the ripe banana into a bowl.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of honey.
3. Mix them properly.
4. Apply it to your face
5. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
6. Rinse it off.
6. Honey & Cinnamon
Ingredients
1. 3 tablespoons of Manuka honey
2. 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Steps
1. Take the honey and cinnamon into a bowl.
2. Mix the two ingredients properly.
3. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds.
4. Apply the mixture when it’s cool.
5. Leave the pack on your face for 10 minutes.
6. Rinse it off.
7. Honey & Oats
Ingredients
1. 1 tablespoon honey
2. 1 tablespoon oats flour
3. ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
4. ½ teaspoon rosewater
Steps
1. Pour the oats flour into the bowl.
2. Add the honey, apple cider vinegar and rosewater.
3. Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
4. Apply it on your face as a pack.
5. Let it dry.
6. Clean your face with lukewarm water.
8. Honey & Brown Sugar
Ingredients
1. 2 tablespoons of raw honey
2. 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
3. 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
Steps
1. Take a bowl and pour the honey and brown sugar.
2. Add the coconut oil.
3. Mix the ingredients properly.
4. Apply the mixture to your face.
5. Massage very gently for a few seconds.
6. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Note:
Do not put pressure while massaging the face.
9. Honey & Coffee
Ingredients
1. 1 teaspoon of coffee powder
2. 1 tablespoon of yogurt
3. 1 teaspoon of honey
Steps
1. Pour the yogurt into a bowl.
2. Add the coffee powder.
3. Mix the honey into it.
4. Stir the ingredients together.
5. Apply the pack to your face.
6. Leave it for two to five minutes.
7. Rinse it with water.
How Long Will It Take For Honey To Show Some Result?
If you apply honey just to soothe your skin, then it would not take much time. The redness and inflammation will be gone within the same day or the next. But it is difficult to estimate a period for the complete treatment of your acne. It may either take a few days or longer.
Wrapping Up
Using honey does not guarantee that your acne will be treated. But the antibacterial properties of honey can reduce the inflammation and redness of acne. It will ease your pain and also help your acne to heal faster. You can apply raw honey to your skin or you can make different face packs or masks using several natural ingredients. As some people are allergic to honey, always do a patch test before applying it to your face, because an allergic reaction will worsen acne.
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