If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of honey face masks. I was first introduced to honey masks when my skincare-guru friend insisted I try them to help clear my hormonal acne when I came off hormonal birth control. They helped so much that I seriously cannot go a week without them! You can often find me having an at-home spa day rockin’ my honey mask and sipping on a herbal tea to help keep my skin healthy and clear. While there are so many benefits of a honey mask, are they really that good for clearing acne??
The Benefits of a Honey Face Mask
- Rich in antioxidants – The antioxidants found in honey can boost the natural healing process of your skin cells and can help minimize acne scars.
- High enzyme content – Raw honey contains thousands of active enzymes! These enzymes work together to cleanse and detoxify your pores. Hello clear and radiant skin!
- Antibacterial properties – This golden superfood is great for treating and preventing breakouts. Raw honey is classified as a humectant, which means it keeps the moisture in and won’t dry out your skin (like chemical spot treatments do)!
- Anti-inflammatory properties – Raw honey acts as an anti-inflammatory, which helps to soothe skin and reduce inflammation caused by breakouts.
Can I use any store-bought honey on my skin?
When you are shopping for honey, make sure to choose a raw/unpasteurized variety to receive the maximum benefits! Pasteurized honey (or what will typically be labelled as just “honey”) has been treated with heat, which kills-off the beneficial properties of the honey. You want to look for the words “raw” and/or “unpasteurized” on the label.
Is Manuka honey good for acne?
The composition of honey will differ slightly based on the type of plant honey bees collect the nectar. Manuka honey comes from the flowers of a ‘tea tree’ plant variety found in both New Zealand & Australia.
This buzzing superfood definitely comes with a higher price tag, but it truly does wonders, especially for your skin. In fact, the benefits of a honey mask are due to its antioxidant-rich, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. When applied topically, it can speed up your skin’s healing process! Need I say more?
This post was written by Joslynn Bay alongside Sisley Killam, as part of her nutrition practicum work at The Pure Life. Check out Sisley’s recipe for a DIY spirulina and honey face mask here.
