The Benefits Of Mānuka Honey For Your Skin
Let's find out what Mānuka Honey can do for your face
If you’re familiar with authentic Mānuka Honey, you’ll know that it’s so much more than a delicious, sweet spread. Sourced from some of New Zealand's most remote locations, it’s renowned worldwide for its unique flavour and natural, nutritious properties.
But did you know that Mānuka Honey provides a variety of benefits for your skin, too? Read on to find out what all the buzz is about and how you can incorporate Mānuka Honey into your skin health routine.
Why Mānuka Honey is good for your skin
Mānuka Honey is widely celebrated in skincare for its naturally occurring compounds, including methylglyoxal (MGO), flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. These contribute to its antioxidant activity, which is why Mānuka Honey is often used in skincare products and natural remedies for maintaining healthy, hydrated, and resilient skin.
Note: Before using Mānuka Honey on your skin or hair, ensure you do a patch test, especially if you have any allergies or sensitivities.
How to use Mānuka Honey to care for your skin
Mānuka Honey for skin hydration and nourishment
With Australia’s extreme seasons, it’s no wonder our skin can look and feel parched and dry, especially if we spend a lot of time outdoors.
Mānuka Honey contains natural humectant properties, meaning it both draws moisture and retains it in your skin. The enzymes in Mānuka Honey help this moisture to penetrate deeply and bring much-needed relief to the deep layers of dehydrated skin.
Mānuka Honey for natural anti-aging
As we get older, our once-supple skin can become thinner and drier, and may not look as plump and smooth as it once did. And for those of us who’ve spent years out in the harsh sun, this may show up as skin damage, wrinkles, age spots and dryness.
The good news is that what Mother Nature takes away from us as we age, she may be able to restore through Mānuka Honey, which is often used as a moisturiser to help keep skin feeling supple and hydrated.
With its naturally occurring amino acids, it is a popular ingredient in beauty routines focused on skin nourishment and maintaining a healthy glow. To experience the benefits of Mānuka Honey on your face, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin.
Mānuka Honey for acne and blemish control
Instead of using harsh, skin-stripping products, Mānuka Honey is a safe option to help soothe away acne and spots, while also adding moisture to your skin and removing dead skin cells. It can also be applied as a simple spot mask for comfort and balance.
Got a skin blemish? As part of your skin care routine, after washing your face, apply Mānuka Honey directly to affected areas with a cotton tip like a spot treatment.
Mānuka Honey for gentle exfoliation
Looking for a sweet way to exfoliate your skin? Mix about one tablespoon of Comvita Mānuka Honey with 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda, then add a pinch of salt. Apply to a clean, wet face, and massage into the skin in a circular motion to get rid of dead skin cells. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
This treatment is ideal for gently scrubbing away blackheads on the face, but you can also use it to exfoliate other parts of the body, including your decolletage, arms, legs, and even the lips.
How to use Mānuka Honey to support your skin’s healing
Mānuka Honey can help relieve sunburn
There’s nothing worse than not reapplying sunscreen in time and feeling the uncomfortable burn that follows. Just as it can help support wound treatment, a key benefit of Mānuka Honey is its soothing and hydrating qualities, which help to relieve dryness and maintain comfort.
For gentle after-sun care, run your mild burn under cold water, then directly apply a thin layer of Mānuka Honey to it. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with cool or lukewarm water.
Mānuka Honey can provide a more even-looking complexion
Mānuka Honey contains a natural trace of hydrogen peroxide, which makes it a deeply hydrating natural ingredient. With regular use, it helps skin feel soft, smooth, and refreshed, supporting a more even-looking complexion.
For best results, Mānuka Honey can be applied as part of a skincare routine to support smooth, refreshed-looking skin.
Mānuka Honey face masks
Does your skin need soothing, exfoliating, revitalising, or deep hydration? Using Mānuka Honey for skin care is a simple way to achieve a healthy glow. A spoonful of Comvita Mānuka Honey, paired with a few at-home ingredients, can transform your daily Mānuka Honey skin care ritual into a luxurious treatment.
Here are some Mānuka Honey face mask ideas you can try at home. Each one is 100% natural, easy to make, and packed with skin-loving benefits.
1. The Mānuka re-invigorator
Looking for a pick-me-up for tired, dull skin? Mānuka Honey pairs with the antioxidant effects of coffee in this get-up-and-go face mask.
Combine one to two tablespoons each of Mānuka Honey and fresh coffee grounds. Apply to a clean, dry face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. When rinsing off, massage gently and then pat dry.
2. The Mānuka moisturiser
If you’re wondering how to use Mānuka Honey for dry skin, this face mask has you covered. Mānuka Honey and avocado are known as a power duo for moisturising dehydrated skin.
Mix together a quarter of a very ripe avocado, one tablespoon of Mānuka Honey, and half a teaspoon of coconut oil. Apply to clean, dry skin and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
3. The honey soother
To calm irritations, oatmeal and Mānuka Honey are the perfect pairing.
For this mask, grind a quarter of a cup of oatmeal into a flour-like consistency. Mix one tablespoon of Mānuka Honey and one tablespoon of olive or almond oil in a small bowl, and then stir in small amounts of the oat flour until it resembles a wet paste.
Smooth the mixture onto clean, dry skin and leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, massaging gently as you rinse it off. It’s skincare that’s good enough to eat!
Frequently asked questions
Is Mānuka Honey good for sensitive skin?
Yes. This natural gift from New Zealand is especially well-suited for sensitive skin. Free from chemicals, additives, or colourings, it is safe, gentle, and non-irritating. Mānuka Honey is often recommended as part of a simple, natural skin care routine for even the most delicate complexions.
Is it good to wash your face with Mānuka Honey?
We think so! Dampen your face and hands with warm water, then use a spoon or clean fingers to scoop the honey out of its jar. Rub the honey gently between your palms and smooth evenly onto your face, gently massaging and washing just like you would with a cleanser before rinsing off with warm water.
Can Mānuka Honey tighten skin?
Yes. Mānuka Honey helps skin feel hydrated, supple, and refreshed, supporting a healthy, radiant appearance.
Comvita Tip: Try combining Mānuka Honey with your favourite facial mask ingredients to boost their effectiveness and enhance your skin care ritual.
What strength of Mānuka Honey is best for skin?
The best strength depends on your skin’s needs. All UMF™-certified grades of Mānuka Honey can be used in beauty rituals. Higher UMF grades contain higher levels of MGO, one of the unique compounds found only in Mānuka Honey.
Is eating Mānuka Honey good for skin?
Yes. Mānuka Honey is a natural source of antioxidants, which help protect cells from oxidative stress when enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
Can I use Mānuka Honey on my face every day?
Absolutely. Mānuka Honey is gentle enough for daily use and provides continuous hydration, soothing, and protection. Whether applied as a daily mask, spot treatment, or blended into your favourite products, it helps maintain healthy, balanced skin.
The Comvita difference: Gold-standard Mānuka Honey you can trust
Your skin deserves the very best, which is why choosing the right honey matters. At Comvita, we’ve spent over 50 years perfecting the craft of sourcing, testing, and certifying authentic Mānuka Honey straight from New Zealand. Every jar carries the UMF™ quality mark, ensuring purity, potency, and proven effectiveness.
From daily hydration to soothing your skin for natural balance, Comvita sets the standard for Mānuka Honey. Explore our range and experience the difference genuine Mānuka Honey makes. Your skin will thank you!