How to: use Manuka Honey to brighten your skin

If you’re looking for a natural skincare routine to brighten your skin and keep your face fresh, you need Manuka honey.

Yes, the most versatile and quite frankly, amazing substance to be produced in nature can now be part of your skincare routine.

You may already use Manuka honey in your day-to-day life. Perhaps you add it to your tea, or have it on pancakes at breakfast? You may even use it in a DIY hair mask (if you don’t, then you definitely should!)

How to make a DIY Manuka honey hair mask

But did you know you can use Manuka honey for brighter and glowing skin? Well, you can! In fact, if you have tired, dull or dry skin, Manuka honey is the answer to your problems!

Let’s take a look at how Manuka honey can brighten your skin, and the benefits of including this natural and organic nectar into your skincare routine.

How is Manuka honey produced?

Manuka honey is produced through the hard work of New Zealand bees.

This special variety of honey is created through the collection of nectar from the Manuka plant, a plant native to New Zealand. In fact, all organic, real Manuka honey should come from this pacific island, making it quite a rare and expensive product.

But what makes Manuka honey so rare?

Photo credit:
Behzad Ghaffarian via Unplash

Well, the Manuka plant only has a very short season in which it blossoms. This means that only for a very short period of time in the year, can the bees pollinate this plant and create the wonderful Manuka honeycomb.

In addition to it’s short, sweet production time, there are other factors that make Manuka honey such a unique form of honey.

The Manuka plant consist of highly potent antibacterial and microbial properties, and that’s not all. It also contains antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and even anti-inflammatory extracts. So, when the bees produce the honey, all these properties stay contained within the finished product. No wonder Manuka honey brightens your skin!

Of course, the rarity of Manuka honey often means it costs more than average garden honey. Is it worth the extra expense?

Well, let’s take a look at the benefits Manuka honey has on your skin!

Benefits of using Manuka Honey on your skin

So, we know how Manuka honey is produced, and why it is such a rare and powerful substance, but how exactly does it benefit your skin?

Well, Manuka honey has been used for generations in native New Zealand to treat all types of ailments. These ailments have included wounds, rashes, chapped skin and also coughs, colds and allergies!

More recently, Manuka Honey has been hailed as a natural, chemical-free way to keep our skin healthy, glowing and smelling sweet!

The benefits of using Manuka honey for brighter skin are numerous but they include;

• Natural and chemical free – of course this must be one of the main benefits of using Manuka honey for brighter skin.  Remember, it is 100% natural, and so there is no need to worry about secret added ingredients.
• Soothes skin – if you suffer from redness, or rashes, Manuka honey is a great solution. The anti-inflammatory properties will soothe and ease redness and rashes.
• Helps keep skin clear – if you suffer from pimples or acne, the antibacterial properties in Manuka honey will help clear this up. Manuka honey is similar to tea tree oil in this sense, and helps dry up pimples to give you a clearer complexion.
• Brighter skin – yes Manuka honey will give you brighter skin! In fact, the properties in Manuka honey help remove dead layers of skin, leaving you with brighter and glowing skin.
• Keeps skin moisturised – Manuka honey is extremely gentle on the skin, the creaminess of the honey traps the moisture keeping your skin soft and supple.

As you can see, there are many benefits to using Manuka honey to brighten your skin. The question is, what is the best method of using Manuka honey as part of your skincare routine?

We’re going to give you a few examples of how you can use Manuka honey to keep your skin bright and glowing!

How to use Manuka honey for bright, fresh skin

There are several ways you can use Manuka honey to brighten your skin, including as a face mask or as a regular cleanser.

We’re going to show you how to do both, so you can choose what works best for you and your skin.

Manuka Honey Face Mask

You can use this simple Manuka Honey face mask once or twice a week, depending on your skin type.

Photo credit:
Adetayo Adefala via Unsplash

Apply the mask to clean, dry skin (you may want to use the Manuka honey cleanser first).

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon of raw Manuka honey
• Optional rolled oats – if using oats mix 2 tablespoons with 2 tablespoons of Manuka honey prior to application.

1. On clean, dry skin, apply roughly 1 tablespoon of Manuka honey to your face.
2. Next, spread the honey in a thick even layer, being careful to avoid your eyes.
3. Leave the Manuka honey mask on your face for 20-30 minutes. The longer you leave the mask on, the more time it has to work into your skin.
4. Once you are ready to remove the mask, rinse your face with warm water.
5. Follow with your usual moisturiser or skin routine.
6. Admire your brighter and glowing skin!

This Manuka honey mask is perfect for pampering yourself if you have the time. However, if face masks aren’t your thing, you can also use Manuka honey as a facial cleanser.

Manuka Honey Face cleanser

This gentle and soothing facewash is perfect if you want to add Manuka honey into your regular skincare routine. You will find yourself with softer, brighter skin in no time!

Photo credit: Heather Gill via Unsplash

Manuka honey is not a makeup remover, and should be used on clean skin. The morning may be the best time to use this cleanser.

You will need:

• Teaspoon of Manuka honey

1. Take a teaspoon size of Manuka honey in your fingers and dilute slightly with water. This will make the honey more viscous and easier to apply to your face.
2. Apply the honey in circular motions being careful to avoid your eyes.
3. Cleanse your skin with the Manuka honey for a couple of minutes.
4. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry gently. Follow with your usual moisturiser or skincare routine.

As you can see, there are many benefits to using Manuka honey for brighter skin. Additionally, natural and organic beauty regimes are fast becoming a popular choice as we become more aware of what we put on our skin. This makes Manuka honey a perfect alternative!

Have you added Manuka honey to your skincare routine yet? Tell us in the comments below!