Adding Honey to Your Skincare Routine Can Soothe Inflammation, Moisturize Dry Skin and More
Dermatologists and estheticians reveal why the kitchen staple can do wonders for your skin
While there is certainly no shortage of expensive skincare products on the market that claim they can transform our skin, sometimes the best place to look for a skin fix is your kitchen pantry. From olive oil to baking soda and—what we’ll get into here—honey, these natural, inexpensive ingredients can do wonders for soothing inflammation, moisturizing skin and more. Plus, it won’t take up precious real estate on your vanity. But don’t just take our word for it: you might be wondering is honey good for your skin and many experts say yes. Keep reading for the benefits of honey for skin, how to use it and more.
Is honey good for your skin?
Honey can be a fantastic all-natural skincare ingredient. “Honey is a powerful ingredient for skincare, known for its healing, calming and nourishing properties,” says Margo Copeland, an esthetician based in California and founder of NABAYA Beauty.
Honey benefits for skin
Honey calms inflamed skin
Whether you’re dealing with inflammation from the weather or just a random flare-up, honey may help calm it. Honey is full of anti-inflammatory agents, including antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which promote healing, says Copeland.
Honey can help treat acne
Dealing with acne and breakouts? Honey to the rescue. “Its [honey] natural antibacterial properties also make it effective for acne treatment,” explains Copeland. “It makes your skin radiant.” If you’re looking to take advantage of honey’s antibacterial properties, you want to make sure you’re looking for honey labeled as “raw honey.”
Honey soothes windburn and sunburn
Both windburn and sunburn can be oh-so-painful and uncomfortable. Thankfully, it can easily be treated with a milk and honey compress. “Honey is an anti-inflammatory, as well as a humectant, so it helps heal and hydrate chafed cheeks,” says Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD, a board-certified holistic dermatologist based in Florida. And milk’s protein repairs and fortifies skin’s barrier. Plus, the warm compress helps ingredients sink into skin to speed healing.
To heal a windburn, simply add ¼ cup milk and 1 Tbs. honey to a heat-safe bowl and warm in the microwave. Then, saturate washcloths with the mixture and apply to windburned skin for 5 minutes; remove and rinse. For a sunburn, mix together 2 Tbs. of warm milk and 1 tsp. of honey in a bowl until the honey has dissolved, then pour the mixture into an ice cube tray. Once frozen, gently rub one cube on sunburned skin for 5 minutes to get instant relief (the chill further calms inflammation). Repeat twice a day as needed.
Honey moisturizes skin
As we age, our skin often becomes drier and thinner, making it hard to find products that add back that hydration. The natural oils that once kept our skin hydrated deplete with age, leaving us with parched, itchy skin, especially on the body. What can help: a manuka honey-infused cream. Manuka honey is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin to boost and restore hydration levels, says Erica Marie Gatt, an aesthetician based in Los Angeles. Plus, the honey is packed with enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate to slough off the dead, dry skin cells that make skin feel extra rough.
The best way to get the benefits is to apply the lotion within 3 minutes of stepping out of the shower. That’s because skin is softened, allowing moisturizing ingredients to better sink in and nix dryness. Try CVS Health Manuka Honey Skin Therapy Cream for a drugstore option. We also like Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer, which uses buckwheat honey with a propolis and royal jelly blend.
Honey face mask nourishes facial skin
Who doesn’t love a good DIY face mask? Using honey in your face mask can be an absolute game-changer, and it’s so easy and inexpensive. If you have dry skin, Copeland recommends whipping one up with honey and either skin-nourishing cold-pressed olive oil or sesame seed oil. To do: Mix 2 tsp. of cold-pressed olive oil or sesame oil and 1 Tbs. of manuka honey. For oily skin, she recommends just applying the honey straight to your face without any extra ingredients. Apply to a clean face and rinse after 15 minutes, then apply your usual skin-care products.
Honey heals chapped lips
Soften your pout easily with honey, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, who suggests mixing honey and coarse sugar to create your own lip scrub. “Honey has a soothing effect, as well as antimicrobial properties, while sugar allows for gentle exfoliation.” To do: Combine 1 tsp. of honey with 2 tsp. of coarse sugar. Apply a pea-sized amount onto fingers, then rub the mixture in a circular motion on lips for 2 to 3 minutes. Store leftovers in a lidded container, or use the extra to soften rough elbow skin!
Honey repairs cracked heels
Honey and olive oil work perfectly in tandem to heal certain skin woes. High amounts of oleic acid in olive oil rehydrate and repair the dried, built-up layers of skin that accumulate on the heels, and honey’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents soothe and heal any painful heel cracks. To do, combine ¼ cup of olive oil and 1 Tbs. of honey, and warm the mix in the microwave for 30 seconds (the warmth helps soften rough skin). Apply to heels, then cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for 10 minutes before removing and rinsing away.
Who shouldn’t use honey on their skin?
Just like any ingredient, it won’t work for everyone, and honey is no exception. “There are some downsides to consider,” says Copeland. “If you’re allergic to honey or pollen, using it can lead to irritation or allergic reactions.”
Further, while honey can help with breakouts, it can also potentially make acne worse for some. “People with oily or acne-prone skin should use it cautiously, as it can clog pores,” advises Copeland. “Additionally, those with sensitive skin conditions like eczema or rosacea should consult a dermatologist before use.”
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