Honey for Face: Benefits, Uses and How to Apply It Safely

Honey is naturally sweet but has also been a skincare ingredient for centuries. Modern beauty products utilize the soothing texture and honey’s naturally occurring compounds, making it an ingredient in facial cleansers, moisturizers, and masks. Using honey in a skincare routine can be gentle and simple. Potential benefits, application, and possible risk are described here.

How is Honey Beneficial?

Honey consists of a variety of natural sugars, amino acids, water, and other plant compounds and also has a different composition depending on the flowers, location, and even the way it is processed and stored. Because honey has a thick composition, it may leave skin feeling soft and comfortable. Honey also has the potential to show antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Though this is more noticeable in honey used in a medical setting compared to in a kitchen setting.

It’s important to know the difference between using honey as a cosmetic mask and using honey to treat a wound or skin condition. Honey products used in hospitals and clinics are honey products that are specially made and are sterilized. Honey from the grocery store should not be used on deep cuts, burns, on infected skin, or on open wounds unless there is advice from a doctor.

Advantages of Applying Honey on Face

1. Honey Moisturizes Skin

Along with many of the other skin treatments that are popular, honey has a soft and smooth texture, and a thin layer of a honey mask can ease the tight feeling that usually comes with washing dry skin and can make dry skin a little bit smoother. The effects of honey are temporary, and a good moisturizer should be used to replace honey and a fragrance-free moisturizer can be used after the honey mask is washed off to help keep the honey mask and skin barrier smooth.

2. Honey Soothes Skin

Gently applying honey on skin that is mildly dry and a little uncomfortable can offer some relief. When applied, honey has a smooth texture and does not contain rough particles like physical exfoliating scrubs. Almost any new skin care product can irritate or cause an allergic reaction to skin that is cracked and inflamed. Even products that claim to be natural can cause dermatitis.

3. Honey has Antioxidants

Research shows that honey that contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids can be used to study the antioxidants in honey and this is also one of the reasons there has been a lot of research done on honey and its uses in cosmetics and dermatology. Honey must be used more than once for a riskless homemade mask. Skin aging requires an entire regimen not involving fancy or expensive tools. Gentle washing, moisturizing, and sunscreen should be commonplace.

4. Antimicrobial Properties

Acids and sugars play an important role in the antimicrobial properties of honey post research in laboratories has shown additional plant compounds. These components combine with hydrogen peroxide to show activity against microorganisms. Though as always it is a stretch to say honey or the honey mask is an anti-acne treatment. A honey mask in the reported study didn't show substantial improvement to the skin's condition when used with an antimicrobial or an antibacterial cleanser. A honey mask or honey in general is not a treatment for moderate and persistent cases of acne. Seeking a proper consultation from a dermatologist is ideal and needed.

5. Gives Fresh Appearance

It's easier to think honey removes pigmentation and lightens skin when in fact it only temporarily improves the appearance of the skin and provides a glow. It washes away in a matter of moments and does not treat dry or dull skin. Honey does leave skin a little smoother, more refreshed and maybe even glowy. This is all especially the case on dry and dull skin. But honey alone cannot improve the appearance of pigmentation. There are a number of causes for pigmentation including hormonal changes, irritation, sun exposure and more.

How to Use Honey on Your Face?

• Start with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Rinse and pat dry with a clean towel. With clean fingers, apply a thin layer of honey to the face, avoiding the eyes, nostrils, lips, and hairline.
• Let the honey sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry again, this time with lukewarm water. Apply moisturizer after.
• Use the mask once a week to start. After the initial trial, the mask can be used more often as desired. However, the mask can feel heavy and/or uncomfortable for oily and/or acne-prone skin.
• Avoid applying excessive amounts of pressure to the face when rubbing the honey in. There can be small particles of honey and in general, too much pressure can irritate sensitive skin.

Benefits of Honey for Hair, and How to Use It?

What Type of Honey Is the Best for a Face Mask?

• For a simple facial mask, unprocessed plain honey that is not flavored, is preferred. While Manuka honey is popular for its skincare related antimicrobial properties, it is not necessary for everyone and is on the expensive side.
• Raw honey can contain particles of pollen and wax along with other potentially irritating materials for skin that is sensitive to allergies. “Natural” does not mean that the honey is free from allergens.
• Medical-grade honey should be used only if it is suggested for a particular clinical reason. Food-grade honey is made in a different manner when compared to honey that is made for clinical purposes and is offered in analgesic dressings, gels, or ointments.

Always Perform a Patch Test

• Be cautious when using a new product. Before applying raw honey to your full face, test a small sample on the inner elbow and watch for negative reactions.
• The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that newly purchased skincare be tested on a small section of the body. To further evaluate the safety of a product, it can be applied to the test area twice daily for the next seven to ten days. If the product begins to cause irritation, it must be removed and not reapplied.

Ingredients You Should Avoid Mixing with Honey

• Many online recipes suggest mixing honey with lemon juice, baking soda, essential oils, raw honey and cinnamon. Typically, the face should avoid contact with any of these ingredients, especially in high volume.
• The honey face mask should be avoided if you are allergic to honey and bee products and should only be used when approved by a professional.
• Dermatological consultation becomes necessary when what you experience is painful acne, inflammatory spreading redness, a rash that appears infected, open sores, stubborn eczema, rosacea, or pigmentation that changes or shifts and becomes more prominent or darker. Honey can help in a cosmetic routine, but honey should not be a reason for delaying proper diagnosis/treatment.

Conclusions

Honey can be considered inexpensive facial treatment. Its naturally occurring anti-oxidants, anti-microbials, and anti-inflammatories, all play a part in skincare treatment. It should be noted that these properties create skincare treatments of interest.

The limited research in terms of honey and its treatment of acne and eczema suggests that results are inconsistent. Applied in small doses honey should only be used on intact skin, and in the case of eczema or acne honey should not be applied to broken or infected skin. Homemade remedies for acne and eczema should not replace proper treatment from a dermatologist.

Please book an appointment with the best Dermatologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.