I Tried a Manuka Honey Facial and My Skin Looked Instantly Glowy, Refreshed and Vibrant: All About Manuka Honey Skin Care

While it might sound sticky, honey has long been used in skin care for its soothing, skin-loving benefits. From DIY masks using honey to honey-based facials to products formulated with the superpower ingredient, it’s practically undeniable that honey can deliver amazing skin care results. However, while we do love our traditional honey, we think there may be a specific honey making its rounds on social media recently that may be even better for our skin: Manuka honey. And luckily for you, I tested it out firsthand to see if Manuka honey is worth the hype (spoiler alert: it is). Here, all about Manuka honey skin care according to a dermatologist, and a review with results of a Manuka honey facial.

What is Manuka honey?

“Manuka honey is a rare type of honey produced by bees from the nectar of the Manuka tree that’s native to New Zealand,” explains Rachel Nazarian, MD, board-certified dermatologist. Aside from its rare availability, what makes it different from traditional honey? In short, it packs a much more powerful punch when it comes to antioxidant and antimicrobial properties (two things our skin loves).

“New Zealand Manuka honey differs from regular honey due to the presence of a compound called methylglyoxal and phenol, which makes it more potent both in its anti-microbial abilities and its antioxidant activity, and it has been shown to create hydrogen peroxide, which aids in killing pathogens,” affirms Dr. Nazarian. “This honey is thought to be more beneficial due to its low pH and higher osmolarity, which makes it more efficient at preventing the growth of pathogens, such as bacteria.”

Additionally, Manuka honey feels a bit thicker in consistency than traditional honey, and has a slightly different texture.

Benefits of Manuka honey skin care

So, why should you consider adding Manuka honey to your skin care routine? For starters, its soothing and calming properties are quite impressive, even when used on sensitive skin.

“Because it [Manuka honey] contains proteins and vitamins, combined with its natural emollient and humectant properties, it has been used topically in skincare to calm inflammatory skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis, and has traditionally been used to repair skin wounds and fissures,” says Dr. Nazarian.

Further, it can even be used to treat breakouts, such as perimenopausal acne, due to its antibacterial properties. “More recently, it has gained traction when discussing topical treatments for acne because of its antimicrobial action,” affirms Dr. Nazarian.

Going back to Manuka honey’s natural humectant properties, it’s also great for drawing moisture and hydration into the skin. This is especially beneficial for mature skin, as we tend to naturally lose moisture as we age.

Dr. Nazarian also adds that Manuka honey is “beneficial for all skin types, but especially mature skin: It improves the skin’s barrier of hydration, and stimulating repair pathways are vital for healthy skin.”

How to use Manuka honey in skin care

Now that you know all the skin-loving benefits of Manuka honey, it’s time to learn how to use it.

“I truly recommend integrating Manuka honey into your everyday routine,” says Dr. Nazarian. “This is a safe and gentle ingredient that works well with most skin types and can be incorporated into a daily skincare regimen.” Note: If you are allergic to bees, speak with your dermatologist before trying Manuka honey skin care.

One way you can incorporate Manuka honey into your skin care regimen is by doing a Manuka honey face mask. We like Manuka Health Manuka Honey Ultra MGO 800+, which is raw Manuka honey. For a more affordable option, try Manukora Raw Manuka Honey (however, this option has much less MGOs — 50+). Slather on skin and leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse.

Another way to add Manuka honey into your skin care routine is with a serum. Try Manuka Health Eternal Renewal Regenerating Face Serum, which is made with Manuka honey and bee venom. Simply pat into skin and let it work its magic.

Lastly, try a Manuka honey facial for a more luxurious experience if you’re looking to treat yourself. Leaving the spa, skin will feel refreshed, more radiant and revitalized. Below, I share my experience with getting a Manuka honey facial — keep reading!

I tried it: Manuka honey facial results

After hearing all the promising skin care benefits of Manuka honey, I was curious to try it for myself. Before heading to the spa for a Manuka honey facial, I noticed my skin looked dull and almost dehydrated. It was in major need of a refresh and some vibrancy.

The esthetician used Manuka Health’s Manuka honey products during my facial. When she first started putting the product on my skin, it did feel a bit odd — not in a bad way, just in the way that someone who doesn’t regularly put honey on their skin would feel. It feels a bit thick, but not too thick where I was worried it would irritate my skin.

It smelled sweet, as honey does, but I didn’t think it was overwhelming. I experienced zero burning, stinging or irritation, which I sometimes experience with facials with my sensitive skin.

Immediately after the facial, my skin looked much more “awake” and vibrant, and I was left with a glowing, hydrated complexion. I didn’t experience any redness, and my skin looked overall healthier (as you can see in the after photo on the right, above).

Overall, I would definitely recommend using Manuka honey skin care in your routine, or trying out a Manuka honey facial for yourself. It made all the difference in my skin in terms of radiance and vibrancy.