Honey for acne, here's how to use it

Honey has a myriad of health benefits, including for the skin. In fact, this natural ingredient is claimed to be used as a way to get rid of acne. Check out the explanation of what makes honey used for the following natural acne remedies.

How honey works to treat acne

Honey is a natural acne remedy that has been used for a long time. This may be due to substances in honey that are said to heal wounds quickly, including treating acne naturally.

This claim has been proven through research published in Central Asian Journal of Global Health. Experts report that honey can inhibit the growth of various bacteria on the skin.

Apart from inhibiting the bacteria that cause wound infections, honey also fights bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) causes acne. This may be due to the antibacterial and antiseptic properties of the hydrogen peroxide in honey.

Honey is also known to have anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce redness on the skin due to acne. In fact, the liquid produced from the nectar of this flower also has other properties that also help restore skin from acne, such as:

• accelerate the growth of the damaged skin layer,
• increase collagen levels for skin repair, and
• remove scars.

The myriad of these abilities makes honey used to treat acne prone faces.

The type of honey used to get rid of acne

The benefits of honey are indeed quite helpful for removing acne from facial skin. Of the many honeys, there is one type of honey that has proven to be effective for acne problems, namely manuka honey.

Manuka honey is a super honey from New Zealand which is currently popular among the public. The reason is, the content of antimicrobial substances, sugar (glucose and fructose), amino acids, and vitamins and minerals in it are quite beneficial for acne prone skin.

The combination of all these ingredients is effective in removing dead skin cells and balancing the pH of the skin. So, don't be surprised if manuka honey used regularly can produce a brighter and cleaner face.

Not only that, but other benefits of manuka honey are reducing local inflammation due to acne. This honey is made from a low pH so that the ingredients in it work more effectively in getting rid of acne naturally.

This honey is also strengthened by the content of two antimicrobial compounds, namely hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoksal. Both are known to be effective at killing various types of bacteria, including bacteria that are resistant to acne antibiotics.

Therefore, honey is used as a medicine to get rid of acne naturally. However, keep in mind that using these natural ingredients is an additional treatment, especially for mild to moderate acne types.

In addition, further research is still needed regarding the benefits and side effects of using honey on acne prone skin.

Side effects of using honey

You shouldn't swallow honey with acne-prone skin, but liquids that contain this sugar can still trigger an allergic reaction. This often occurs in people who are allergic to insects, such as bees, or pollen.

Try testing the use of honey topically on the skin as follows.

• Apply a little manuka honey on the chin or neck.
• Wait for a few minutes.
• Rinse immediately with water.
• Look for signs of an allergy that appear, such as redness and itching.

If the symptoms of a skin allergy do not appear, it means that honey is safe to use on other areas of the skin and may be safe for acne.

How to get rid of acne with honey

Honey can be used in a variety of ways to treat acne prone skin. Here are some methods that can be used to get rid of acne that you can try at home.

Although it is not certain whether it is effective or not, you can still try it as long as you don't have an allergy to the ingredients below.

Pure honey mask

• Take pure honey to taste.
• Apply on the face using fingers or cotton.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
• Do it regularly to keep skin clean.

Alternatively, you can leave the honey mask on overnight as long as it is covered with a bandage while sleeping. This is also considered quite effective as a way to prevent pimples from appearing again.

Honey and lemon mask

• Clean the face gently and pat the skin with a towel.
• Squeeze 1 lemon.
• Add 2 teaspoons of honey to the lemon juice.
• Mix and stir until evenly distributed.
• Apply a mixture of honey and lemon on the face and leave it for 20-25 minutes.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water and let it dry for a few minutes.
• Apply a moisturizer according to your skin type.
• Repeat this process twice a week to get rid of pimples.

Honey and turmeric mask

• Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder for acne.
• Mix well and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Apply it on the face and the skin that is infected with acne.
• Let stand for 20-25 minutes.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry gently.
• Don't forget to apply a moisturizer according to your skin type.

Honey and cinnamon mask

• Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• Stir until blended and form a paste.
• Apply to face as a mask and let stand for 15 - 20 minutes.
• Clean with water and repeat this process regularly.

Face cleanser

Apart from masks, you can also use honey to treat acne by making it a facial cleanser.

• Mix a few drops of honey with enough water.
• Apply the honey and water mixture on your face a little at a time.
• Massage the entire face in a circular motion using your fingertips.
• Do massage for a few minutes.
• Rinse with cold water and pat dry.

Always test honey and other natural ingredients before applying it to acne prone skin. If you have further questions, consult a dermatologist to get the right treatment.