Honey has been used as medicine ever since time memorial. Almost every major civilization, starting from the Mesopotamians and Egyptians to Chinese and Greek, has sung praises about the medicinal properties of honey.
But can you use honey for acne treatment? As it turns out, you can! In this article, we would talk about how you can use honey for treating acne and get positive results.
Did You Know!
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Honey has several properties that make it ideal for treating ailments like acne. Another significant advantage that makes it a good option for treating acne is that it can be used in a variety of ways.
You can use raw honey for acne as well as prepare a honey mask for acne. However, there are a few things that you should know before you use honey for acne treatment. So, let us start by taking a look at the benefits of using honey for treating your acne.
[Also Read: Natural Treatments for Acne]
The Benefits of Using Honey for Acne
Several studies and extensive research has discovered several characteristics of honey, which make it an ideal therapeutic agent for treating acne. For example, the 2016 research paper had shown that honey has excellent antimicrobial properties which help to fight against many skin related issues, including acne(1).
Honey also has naturally soothing properties which reduce the redness that is commonly associated with pimple breakouts. Apart from that, they also aid in the fading away of the acne marks. This is primarily because of the presence of many different compounds, such as antioxidants, amino acids, fatty acids, peptides, and vitamin B.
Manuka honey is especially beneficial for treating acne related issues. Manuka Honey refers to the honey produced by bees that feed exclusively on the Manuka tree, a species native to New Zealand and Southern Australia.
[Also Read: Manuka Honey for Acne]
Study indicates that this species has excellent antibacterial properties, thanks to the presence of methylglyoxal. Manuka honey also helps to lower the PH level of the skin, thereby accelerating the healing process.
Therefore, using honey for acne would be highly effective in getting the desired results. But how should you use it? Let us take a look at some of how we can use honey to treat our acne.
[Also Read: Diet to Treat Acne]
How to Use Honey for Acne Treatment?
As said before, there are several ways in which you can use honey for acne. Here, in this section, we are going to talk about a few of them:
Using Raw Honey for Acne
Raw honey can be used all by itself. You can apply it on areas which have pimples, blackheads and white spots. You can also mix it with specific ingredients to get better results.
- For example, you can add a few drops of honey to a tablespoon of turmeric powder and then apply it on your face. Leave it for a few minutes and then wash it off with water
- You can also prepare a mixture of 2 teaspoons of raw honey, along with one teaspoon of baking soda. You need to rub this mixture on the affected area for three to two minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Follow this for two months, and you would get positive results.
- Nutmeg and honey is another combination that you can try out. Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon of nutmeg powder and apply it on the affected areas. However, you should keep in mind that some people might be allergic to nutmeg powder. So, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before you use any such mixture.
Apart from using raw honey for acne, you can also use a honey mask for acne treatment. Let us now take a look at some of the ways in you can prepare such a mask.
[Also Read: 8 Essential Herbs to Treat Acne]
Using Honey Mask for Acne Treatment
You can easily prepare a face mask using honey and other natural and readily available ingredients and use it to cure acne. Some of the ways of preparing a honey mask for acne is given below.
Oat, Honey, and Lemon Mask: This is one of the effective and hence, the most popular ‘mask’ when it comes to using honey for acne. You would need the following ingredients
- Half a cup of ground oatmeal
- 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey
- one teaspoons of lemon juice
You need to mix the ingredients into a paste. Apply the pack to your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water.
Precautions You Should Take When Using Honey for Acne
Honey is not known to cause intense allergic reactions. However, to remain on the safer side of things, you should consult your doctor.
When using a honey mask for acne, you should apply a little of it on your chin. If you feel any itchiness or get any rashes, avoid using the pack.
If you are using manuka honey, look for Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) and Organic Manuka Active (OMA) on the label. The value should be 15 or above. You should also ensure that the methylglyoxal (MGO) content should be at least 250. Getting such a product would be a bit expensive but it would be money well spent!
FAQs
1. Would the ‘Supermarket’ Honey Work?
The honey available in supermarket shelves often contains additives. The honey itself might be safe, but the additives might not be. So, it is better to test for allergic reactions before you use it. It is recommended that you stress on using pure, organic honey.
2. How long would it take for Work?
The efficacy of honey would depend on several factors like the purity of honey, the way you use it, the ingredients you use, etc. In most cases, it would take about 2-3 months to see visible results.
3. Is Honey good for Acne Treatment?
When you use honey for acne treatment, you consider it to be an additional treatment. You would need to get in touch with a dermatologist and seek proper medical treatment for treating your acne effectively.
If you are suffering from acne, like millions across the planet, then using honey for acne treatment is a smart option. Although it might not be sufficient all by itself, it can be of tremendous benefit. Honey is not known to cause an allergic reaction or have any significant detrimental effects on health. This makes it a safe treatment, as well. We hope that you found the article to be helpful, and now you will feel more comfortable using honey for treating your acne.
