skincare honey mask

6 Top Skin Conditions Treatable With Honey

Life is sweeter with honey, and not only in an edible sense. This common pantry staple also makes for a powerful natural remedy. Packed with a variety of enriching components, this sweet nectar can be your skin’s best friend if you know how to use it.

From your local supermarket to specialized online retailers, the growing popularity of honey means that it is available pretty much everywhere you look. So, when it comes to homemade skin solutions, you’ve got a lot of choices! But knowing you can use honey is just part of the solution, knowing why you should use it completes the equation!

Here are 6 skin conditions that can be treated with honey…

1. Face Acne

Raw honey helps to balance the pre-existing bacteria on your face, making it a great product to apply for acne. Since honey expedites the healing process for your skin cells, applying this substance helps repair pimple wounds quickly and reduce inflammation. 

Unpasteurized honey such as Manuka works best to activate your immune system and ultimately reduces redness and heals blemishes. 

To help prevent breakouts, honey can be used as a wash-off cleanser but, for a more potent result, you can leave this product on your face as a mask. Otherwise, to banish those pesky blemishes you can try dabbing a small amount of this sweet substance as a spot-treatment. 

2. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, affecting skin cells. With no specific cause, there’s no question that living with psoriasis isn’t easy. Healthy skin cells experience a growth process that begins under the skin’s top layer, taking about a month to rise to the surface. But, in the case of those with psoriasis, this process is repeated every few days, thereby resulting in patches of thick scaly buildup.

Undeniably, this painful process not only causes physical discomfort but also a lot of emotional strain. While, unfortunately, there is no existing cure for this condition, honey can be used to minimize and manage the symptoms.

With almost double the antibacterial properties of other kinds of honey, Manuka honey works well to dress lesions resulting from psoriasis. There’s no special trick to using Manuka honey, just apply like a lotion or moisturizer. 

3. Eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a condition that causes redness and itchiness on the skin. This condition is most common among infants but can also persist into adulthood. Although there is no direct cure to eczema, many use honey to help reduce symptoms and ease discomfort. 

Since honey contains a mix of anti-septic and anti-bacterial elements, there’s no surprise that this natural product can soothe rashes and inflammation. To reap these benefits, you can apply the substance topically or eat a small amount each day. It’s important to note that before lathering honey on your face, make sure to do a patch test to ensure you’re not prone to irritation or an allergic reaction. 

4. Dry Skin

With its smooth texture, honey makes for a perfect natural moisturizer. Raw honey is filled with humectants, which work to organically retain moisture. As such, honey will both hydrate and refresh your dryness, giving you a radiant glowing appearance. 

Raw honey is buzzing with active enzymes and antioxidants. These nutrient properties help to exfoliate and unclog pores, leaving skin looking clean and clear. 

There are countless DIY treatments you can test out including:

  • mixing baking soda with honey to create an exfoliator
  • adding 1 teaspoon of honey with water and lemon juice to create a vitamin-rich face wash
  • combining jojoba oil with honey to use as a skin moisturizer or balm for chapped lips. 

Alternatively, if DIY isn’t for you, there are number of skincare specific honey gift sets available which include balms and masks to cater to all skincare needs. 

5. Facial Scarring

Honey contains trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which helps with brightening. These properties are especially helpful when it comes to scarring or discoloration. Applying a mixture of honey and coconut oil to your scars will help to resolve hyperpigmentation and reduce the appearance of scarring. 

6. Contact Dermatitis 

Contact dermatitis occurs when certain substances react with your skin. This condition can produce inflamed rashes on the skin. If you’re experiencing contact dermatitis but don’t want to use prescribed ointments then honey is a great organic alternative. 

Now you’ve seen the countless ways honey can work to restore and heal your skin, this natural substance is sure to become a staple in your skincare routine.