Is Honey Good For The Face And Skin? How To Use It?

Honey is one of the most nutritionally rich natural ingredients. It is beneficial for your health and has been a part of DIY skin care remedies. Many people use honey for glowing skin and maintaining a soft, hydrated, and plump look. In addition, the natural enzymesi present in honey make it a crucial skin care ingredient. That is why you will also find honey in many skin care products.

Honey has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties (1). If you have a bottle of honey at your home, you can easily use it for your skin. We will tell you how. Scroll down to learn the benefits of honey for skin and check out 15 easy DIY remedies you may try.

In This Article

1. Honey For Face: Is It Good? What Are The Benefits?
2. How To Use Honey For Face: DIY Remedies
3. Side Effects Of Using Honey For Face And Skin
4. Best Honey For Face
5. Infographic: Why And How To Use Honey For Your Face
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Key Takeaways
8. Illustration: Honey For Face And Skin: Benefits And How To Use It

Honey For Face: Is It Good? What Are The Benefits?

Honey for Face: Is It Good? What Are the Benefits?

Yes, honey is excellent for your face, offering a variety of skincare benefits. Here’s why:

Benefits of Honey for Your Face:

1. Natural Moisturizer:
   • Honey is a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture in the skin. This helps to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and supple without making it greasy.
2. Antibacterial Properties:
   • Honey contains natural antibacterial agents that help combat acne-causing bacteria, reducing pimples and preventing future breakouts. It’s particularly beneficial for oily or acne-prone skin.
3. Rich in Antioxidants:
   • The antioxidants in honey fight free radicals, helping to prevent skin damage and premature aging. It promotes healthy, glowing skin by supporting skin repair and reducing wrinkles.
4. Soothes Irritation and Redness:
   • Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritated or inflamed skin. It’s great for sensitive skin, calming conditions like eczema, rosacea, or sunburn.
5. Gentle Exfoliation:
   • Enzymes in honey naturally exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells. This leads to a brighter, smoother complexion, while keeping your skin’s natural oils balanced.
6. Speeds Up Wound Healing:
   • Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, honey can accelerate healing of minor cuts, wounds, or acne scars on the face. It helps to repair damaged skin and reduce scars over time.

How to Use Honey for Your Face:

1. As a Cleanser:
   • Mix honey with a little warm water and gently massage onto your face to cleanse away dirt and impurities. Rinse with lukewarm water.
2. As a Face Mask:
   • Apply a thin layer of raw honey directly onto your skin, leave it on for 15–20 minutes, and rinse with warm water. This will hydrate and brighten your complexion.
3. As a Spot Treatment for Acne:
   • Dab a small amount of honey onto breakouts and leave it for 10–15 minutes before washing off. It helps reduce inflammation and redness.
4. As an Exfoliant:
   • Mix honey with sugar or ground oats and gently scrub your face in circular motions to exfoliate dead skin cells. This will leave your skin smooth and glowing.

Who Should Avoid Using Honey on the Face?

• People with allergies to bee products should avoid using honey.
• If you have very sensitive skin, always do a patch test before applying honey to your face.

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Honey can be a powerful, natural addition to your skincare routine, suitable for most skin types. Its moisturizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties can give you healthy, glowing skin.

How To Use Honey For Face: DIY Remedies

1. Honey And Lemon For Skin

Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and citric acid. Anecdotal evidence states that lemon juice has an astringenti effect on the skin, can help keep your skin oil-free, and minimize pores. This face mask can help control acne breakouts.

You Will Need

• The juice from half a lemon
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• Towel

Method

1. Mix the lemon juice with the honey until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
3. Apply this mixture onto your face. Make sure to avoid the fragile skin around your eyes.
4. Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes.
5. Wash it off with warm water, followed by cool water.
6. Pat your face dry with a towel.

How Often?

Once a week.

2. Honey And Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin

Milk contains lactic acid. Topical lactic acid has a gentle exfoliating and cleansing effect on your skin and improves skin texture (4). Apple cider vinegar is widely used for its skin-soothing effects. It is said to alter the skin’s pH that helps to kill bacteria. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this effect.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon milk powder (or ½ teaspoon raw milk)
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon raw honey
• Towel

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
3. Apply this mixture onto your face. Make sure to avoid the fragile skin around your eyes.
4. Leave the mixture on for about 15 minutes.
5. After 15 minutes, wet your fingers and gently rub the dry mask to exfoliate your skin.
6. Rinse your face with cool water.
7. Pat your face dry with a towel.
8. Moisturize.

How Often?

Once a week.

3. Honey And Cinnamon For Skin

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties. A study involving 20 patients evaluated the efficacy of cinnamon gel on mild to moderate acne. It found that cinnamon gel helped reduce acne lesionsi. Together with honey, cinnamon may help clear acne.

You Will Need

• A pinch of cinnamon powder or 2-3 drops of cinnamon essential oil
• 1 tablespoon honey

Method

1. Combine the two ingredients.
2. Apply the mixture to the acne lesions (as a spot treatment).
3. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
4. Wash it off.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Precaution: Cinnamon may cause minor skin irritation, which is common. However, ensure you do a patch test before using it on your skin.

4. Honey And Tomato For Skin

Tomatoes contain lycopene (a carotenoid responsible for its red color) (6). A study states that topical lycopene is an effective antioxidant and can prevent cell damage by inhibiting free radicals (7). Together with honey, tomato can keep your skin healthy.

You Will Need

• ½ ripe tomato
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• Towel

Method

1. Puree the tomato in a blender until it is free of lumps.
2. Add honey to the puree and mix well.
3. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
4. Apply this mixture onto your face. Make sure to avoid the fragile skin around your eyes.
5. Leave the mask on for about 15 minutes.
6. Rinse off with cool water.
7. Pat your face dry with a towel.

How Often?

2 times a week.

5. Honey And Banana For Skin

Honey and banana together create a nourishing skincare treatment that deeply hydrates, soothes, and brightens the skin. Honey acts as a natural moisturizer and antibacterial agent, while banana is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help reduce fine lines, calm irritation, and improve skin texture. This combination is perfect for dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, leaving it soft and radiant.

6. Honey And Gram Flour (Besan) For Skin

Gram flour helps to cleanse the skin and exfoliate it. It also helps to reduce excessive oil and tanning. This face mask can give you a clear complexion with regular use.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• Water
• Towel

Method

1. Combine the honey and besan.
2. Add some water and mix well to get a smooth and consistent paste.
3. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
4. Apply this mixture onto your face. Make sure to avoid the fragile skin around your eyes.
5. Leave the mixture on for about 30 minutes.
6. Rinse the mixture off with lukewarm water.
7. Pat dry with a towel.

How Often?

3 times a week.

7. Honey And Yogurt For Skin

Yogurt contains L-cysteine that can help in lightening the skin tone (10). It helps to exfoliate the skin and brighten it and also has a cooling and skin-soothing effect. This face pack is excellent for soothing irritated skin and brightening it.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons curd or yogurt
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• Towel

Method

1. Combine the ingredients to get a smooth mixture.
2. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
3. Apply this mixture onto your face. Make sure to avoid the fragile skin around your eyes.
4. Leave the mixture on for about 15 minutes.
5. Wash the mixture off with lukewarm water.
6. Pat your face dry with a towel.

How Often?

2 times a week.

8. Honey And Olive Oil For Skin

Olive oil is popularly used for oil cleansing. When massaged on the skin, it helps to clear skin pores and remove traces of dirt and impurities from your skin. In combination with honey, it can help keep your skin clear and prevent breakouts.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Towel

Method

1. Combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Microwave the mixture for about 20 seconds, until it is slightly warm.
3. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
4. Apply this mixture onto your face. Make sure to avoid the fragile skin around your eyes.
5. Leave the mixture on for about 5 minutes.
6. Rinse the mixture off with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser.
7. Pat your face dry with a towel.

How Often?

2 times a week.

Michelle, a beauty enthusiast and blogger, shared about her experience of discovering the skin benefits of raw honey masks, saying, “ I apply the honey alone as a mask before a shower, or put it on in the shower for the duration. Honey on the face alone can be drying from personal experience. It dries out easy after application. You can mix it with a touch of olive oil to add moisture. Honey also has natural sugars in it, which is moisturizing for the skin.

9. Honey And Turmeric For Skin

Turmeric has therapeutic benefits and can help in improving a lot of skin conditions, including acne (11). It has been used since ancient times for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This combination can keep your skin clear, soothe acne breakouts, and brighten your skin. Honey for skin brightening has been used for centuries.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon yogurt
• Towel

Method

1. Combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
3. Apply this mixture onto your face. Make sure to avoid the fragile skin around your eyes.
4. Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes.
5. Rinse the mixture off with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser.
6. Pat your face dry with a towel.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

10. Honey And Rosewater For Skin

Rosewater exhibits antimicrobial activity and inhibits the growth of S. aureus bacteria that cause acne and other skin issues

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons rose water
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Towel

Method

1. Combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
3. Apply this mixture onto your face. Make sure to avoid the fragile skin around your eyes.
4. Leave the mixture on for about 15 minutes.
5. Rinse the mixture off with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser.
6. Pat your face dry with a towel.

How Often?

1- 2 times a week.

11. Honey And Sugar Scrub For Skin

The coarse texture of the sugar and honey scrub helps buff away all the dead cells on your skin’s surface. This helps keep your skin healthy and free of build-up. The scrub also readies your face for absorbing moisture and nutrients, so it would be a good idea to follow this up with a moisturizing and nourishing face mask.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Towel

Method

1. Combine the ingredients to get a coarse mixture.
2. Wash your face with a mild cleanser.
3. Apply the mixture to your face and gently scrub your skin in circular motions with your fingertips.
4. Do this for a couple of minutes.
5. Wash your face with warm water, followed by cold water.
6. Pat dry with a towel.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

12. Honey And Coconut Oil For Skin

Extra virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe symptoms of skin conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (13). Using honey for oily skin may help balance excess oil but is not always advisable as it may aggravate acne.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon extra virgin coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon honey

Method

1. Mix the two ingredients
2. Massage the mixture on your face for 10 minutes.
3. Leave it on for another 10 minutes.
4. Wash your face with a mild cleanser.
5. Follow up with a moisturizer.

How Often?

2 times a week.

13. Honey And Avocado For Skin

Avocado oil is rich in linoleic

and linolenic acids, along with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Rat studies showed that it had excellent wound-healing abilities and could increase collagen density (14). Use this mask containing honey for skin repair.

You Will Need

• A teaspoon of avocado oil
• A teaspoon of raw honey

Method

1. Mix the two ingredients.
2. Massage it on your face for 10 minutes.
3. Leave it for another 10 minutes.
4. Wash your face with a mild cleanser.
5. Follow up with a moisturizer.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

14. Honey And Oatmeal For Skin

You can use this mix of oatmeal and honey for skin radiance and skin cleansing. Colloidal oatmeal (boiled oats) is an excellent cleansing agent for the skin. It is rich in saponins that help to remove traces of dirt and impurities from the skin. It also helps to calm your skin by reducing inflammation

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of boiled oats
• 1 tablespoon raw honey

Method

1. Mix both the ingredients to make a paste.
2. Spread it evenly on your face.
3. Massage for 5 minutes and then leave it for another 10 minutes.
4. Wash with warm water and then with a mild cleanser.
5. Follow up with a moisturizer.

How Often?

2 times a week.

15. Honey And Shea Butter For Skin

The anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter help to calm your skin, soothe skin irritation. It also contains oleic, linoleic, stearic, and palmitic fatty acids that keep your skin healthy (13). Use this mix of shea butter and honey for skin hydration.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of shea butter
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey

Method

1. Mix the two ingredients.
2. Massage well on your face and neck.
3. Leave it for 15-20 minutes.
4. Wash with a mild cleanser and warm water.

How Often?

3 times a week.

16. Honey, Turmeric, And Sandalwood Face Pack For Skin

Sandalwood has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help with various skin issues. Research has shown that using sandalwood and honey can reduce thick and raised scars called hypertrophic scars (16). Sandalwood oil can also calm irritated skin, fight acne, and promote healthy skin

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of raw milk or rose water
• A pinch of sandalwood powder
• A pinch of turmeric

Method

1. Mix honey and raw milk or rose water in a bowl.
2. Add sandalwood powder and turmeric into the mix.
3. Stir well until it forms a smooth paste.
4. Apply it on your face and neck.
5. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
6. Rinse with a mild cleanser and warm water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Honey is considered a safe ingredient for the skin. However, you need to be cautious before using honey for your face as it may cause some unwanted skin reactions.

Side Effects Of Using Honey For Face And Skin

While honey is generally safe for most skin types, there are some potential side effects to consider when using it on the face and skin:

1. Allergic Reactions:

• People allergic to bee products or pollen may experience redness, itching, swelling, or hives. Always perform a patch test before using honey on your face.

2. Skin Irritation:

• For sensitive skin, raw honey might cause mild irritation or a tingling sensation. Diluting honey or using it in combination with other soothing ingredients can help.

3. Breakouts (for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin):

• Although honey is antibacterial, it can sometimes trap oil and dirt if not rinsed off properly, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.

4. Incompatibility with Certain Skin Conditions:

• Individuals with severe acne or rosacea may find honey too rich or occlusive, potentially worsening inflammation.

To minimize the risk of side effects, always use raw, organic honey and avoid applying it to broken or damaged skin.

Best Honey For Face

The best honey for your face is raw, unprocessed honey because it retains all its natural nutrients and beneficial properties. Here are the top types of honey to use for skincare:

1. Manuka Honey:

• Best for: Acne-prone and sensitive skin.
• Why: Manuka honey is known for its high antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it highly effective for treating acne and soothing irritated skin.

2. Raw Organic Honey:

• Best for: Hydration and overall skin health.
• Why: This unprocessed honey contains enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients that moisturize, exfoliate, and brighten the skin.

3. Acacia Honey:

• Best for: Brightening and soothing skin.
• Why: Acacia honey has high antioxidant content and is gentle, helping to even out skin tone and reduce redness.

4. Buckwheat Honey:

• Best for: Anti-aging.
• Why: It’s rich in antioxidants and helps repair skin damage, promote collagen production, and fight fine lines.

5. Tualang Honey:

• Best for: Wound healing and scar reduction.
• Why: Tualang honey has antimicrobial properties and helps speed up skin healing, making it effective for reducing scars and blemishes.

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For best results, ensure the honey is labeled as raw, unpasteurized, or organic to get maximum benefits for your skin.

Infographic: Why And How To Use Honey For Your Face

Honey has many potential benefits for your skin. It is a natural humectant with healing properties that treat wounds and infections. It also has natural antioxidants that reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Go through the infographic below to learn more about its benefits and how you can make use of it to achieve healthy and glowing skin.

Honey is a nutrient-dense ingredient frequently used in home remedies for skin rejuvenation. Its antimicrobial and emollient properties make it ideal for the treatment of acne and wounds and skin moisturization. You can use honey for glowing skin in combination with other ingredients such as lemon, cinnamon, avocado, or tomato to make homemade face masks. Application of raw honey may cause side effects such as hives, watery eyes, wheezing, or an itchy throat. In case of an adverse reaction, stop its usage immediately and consult a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to apply honey on the face every day?

Yes, unless you are allergic to it.

2. Can you leave honey on the face overnight?

No, it may attract dust and cause breakouts.

3. How can I avoid bacterial contamination when using honey on my skin?

Honey inhibits bacterial growth since it is an antibacterial agent. Bacterial contamination is unlikely with the topical application of honey on the skin. However, it may be of concern if contaminated honey is ingested.

4. Should I be concerned about the sugar content in honey when using it on my skin?

No. While the sugar content in honey can be a dietary concern, topical application is nothing to worry about.

5. Can I mix honey with other ingredients to reduce stickiness?

You can mix honey with some water to reduce its stickiness. You can also mix it with rosewater, oils, and yogurt, as mentioned in the article.

6. Can I use honey on open wounds or cuts?

Yes. Honey has antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties that are perfect for wound healing. They can be used in dressings for open wounds and cuts and can even help speed up the healing process

7. How can I use honey for skin whitening?

You can mix honey with raw milk or fresh lemon juice and apply it to your face and neck for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off. Face packs with honey help achieve a glowing, nourished complexion.

Key Takeaways

• Honey is a natural ingredient that can help trap moisture in the skin and make it soft.
• A mixture of honey and banana can help keep the skin clear and prevent breakouts.
• Combinations of honey with tomato, yogurt, and avocado as homemade face masks can help improve skin health.
• Never go for overnight application of honey on your face and always do a patch test before using honey.

Illustration: Honey For Face And Skin: Benefits And How To Use It

Personal Experience:

Getmakeup’s articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.