Manuka Honey: A Must-Have, Miracle Ingredient for All Things Skin
What is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is a special type of honey harvested from Manuka blossoms, native to New Zealand. Unlike the honey you’d use in your tea, Manuka honey is highly coveted for its significant health benefits, rather than its taste. While all honey is antibacterial, Manuka blossoms possess high levels of an organic compound called methylglyoxal (aka MG), which is what gives Manuka honey its uniquely powerful antibacterial properties - and what makes it such an amazing ingredient for your skin!
Benefits of Manuka Honey for the Skin
Moisturizing
Manuka honey is rich in natural sugars that act as a humectant, drawing in moisture from the air and locking it in the surface of your skin. Manuka honey is also packed full of vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids that help to soothe, hydrate, and nourish skin. If you suffer from dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or even if your skin just feels a bit more dry than usual, Manuka honey is the perfect ingredient to provide that extra boost of moisture!
Wound healing
Research has shown that Manuka honey can help to accelerate the process of wound and burn healing. Manuka honey, as with other honeys, contains an acidic pH between 3.2 and 4.5. This acidic pH, when applied to wounds, tells the blood to release oxygen - which is an important part of the wound healing process. Manuka honey also recruits cells called fibroblasts that help to boost the production of skin cells and repair damage. It’s soothing and moisturizing capabilities can even help to alleviate pain from cuts and burns.
Antibacterial
Manuka honey is excellent when it comes to warding off harmful bacteria. All types of honey have antibacterial properties because they contain hydrogen peroxide, as well as high levels of sugar and low pH. What makes Manuka honey especially powerful is its high levels of the methylglyoxal (MG), an antibacterial compound not found in most honeys. Bacteria can lead to many types of skin conditions ranging from acne to eczema to ulcers, so antibacterial agents like Manuka honey are a huge benefit to the skin!
Anti-inflammatory
Manuka honey has strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great ingredient for fighting acne and soothing sensitive skin. For those who may not know, inflammation is caused by an imbalance of the skin’s pH levels. This can lead to breakouts or cause the skin to appear blotchy, red, and inflamed. Manuka honey can help to balance the skin’s pH levels, helping to fight acne and leading to an all around smoother, fuller, and brighter complexion.
Anti-aging
Manuka honey is packed with natural antioxidants that help to combat premature signs of aging. In particular, Manuka honey contains a group of antioxidants called phenols that scavenge free radicals (those pesky agents responsible for premature aging) and combat their effects on the skin. Plus, with the added benefit of both moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, Manuka honey helps to keep your skin looking bright, dewy, and youthful!
Experience the Magic of Manuka Honey with Honeybutter
Looking for ways to incorporate Manuka honey into your skincare routine? Check out our best-selling Honeybutter balm! Manuka honey is the key ingredient in Honeybutter - along with a variety of other natural ingredients designed to sooth, nourish, and hydrate skin. Give your skin the hydration it deserves - with Honeybutter!
Head Over to Honeybutter to Learn More!
Sources
Healthline: 7 Proven Benefits and Uses of Manuka Honey | US National Library of Medicine: Honey - A Therapeutic Agent for Disorders of the Skin | US National Library of Medicine: Honey-Based Templates in Wound Healing and Tissue Engineering | WebMD: Manuka Honey - Medicinal Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects