Honey Face Mask for Clear, Glowing Skin

September 26, 2011 1

I recently visited the Honey Hive in Taupo, New Zealand and now I’m fascinated by bees! I’ve always loved honey, but now I have an even greater appreciation for it. One bee will visit thousands of flowers in its lifetime and will produce only 1/2 a teaspoon of honey. And yet that honey holds amazing nutritional and healing properties. Honey is naturally antibacterial and contains powerful healing enzymes.

Honey is obviously tastes great as a sweetener in your tea or baked goods, but there are heaps of external uses as well. It can be used as a natural antibiotic on burns or scrapes, and it can be used as a natural acne treatment!

The Search for Clear Skin

Can I be straight up with you? Is that OK? I’m 26 and I still deal with acne. It’s gross, I know. I’ve wondered for years when I would “grow out of it.” But since I’ve been getting back to my roots and learning about true nutrition, I’ve come to realize that everything I could have done wrong through my life, I’ve done.

Bummer, huh?

Just about all skin conditions originate in the gut–from an imbalance of good & bad bacteria. There are lots of things that can cause that imbalance, and unfortunately I’m the walking poster child for many of them. So here we go:

I was bottle fed as a baby
Took antibiotics for every cough & cold growing up
Drank pasteurized milk
Ate a regular diet of processed & packaged foods (including waaaaay too much sugar)
Took birth control pills for years
Then stripped all the natural oils from my face with harsh chemical products.

Sigh. So I’m working on restoring a good balance of bacteria in my gut by taking a high quality probiotic supplement, cutting sugar and pasteurized dairy out of my diet as much as possible, and starting to implement fermented foods.

I’ve tried a number of natural acne face washes and lotions from the health food store, but they didn’t do much good. I finally just quit washing my face altogether and instead only used coconut oil as a moisturizer (it’s antibacterial as well). Surprisingly enough, washing or not washing my face didn’t make an ounce of difference in my acne, but it did restore the balance of oil on my skin. No more time wasted scrubbing my face twice a day with smelly sulfur based soap! And I no longer deal with oily or dry skin. (Score!)

So, back to the honey. You’ve probably already surmised that I’m going to tell you about a honey face mask for acne. Not only does putting honey on my face keep my acne at bay better than almost anything else (what I eat is the most important), but it has improved the quality of my skin within days.

Here’s how I do it:

How to Make a Honey Face Mask

1. Pull your hair back well with with head band and remove any makeup (or not, but definitely remove eye makeup with this natural make-up remover).

2. Take about a teaspoon of raw honey from the jar using a spoon or the tips of your fingers.

3. Rub your fingertips together a bit, then smear the honey on your face evenly. I find it helps to dot it on first, then smear gently.

4. Leave it on your face anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. (Fix your breakfast, wash the dishes, brush your teeth, read a book. There are plenty of things you can do with honey on your face.)

5. Rinse off with warm water, then pat your face dry. You’ll be surprised at how easily it comes off!

I often follow my honey mask with an apple cider vinegar toner, then moisturize with coconut oil. Don’t worry–the wonderful fragrances from the honey and coconut oil override the potency of the vinegar.

A few notes for you about the honey mask:

You can moisten your face with a small bit of water before applying the honey. This makes it way easier to spread, but you don’t want to water down the honey. Try splashing some water on your face, then patting it almost dry with a towel.
Do this every. single. day for at least 2 weeks to get started. Twice a day is ideal, but once a day is alright, too. After a while you can reduce the frequency of honey masks and just use coconut oil.
Choose a raw, unpasteurized honey to make sure all the enzymes and nutrients are in tact.

Who’s willing to try putting food on your face? If you deal with any kind of skin problem, honey can be incredibly beneficial. And you can’t get much easier (and truly cost effective) than one simple ingredient for a homemade beauty product.

As a side note, I’ve also learned that mead (fermented honey wine) is incredible! If anyone has had experience making their own mead, please let me know. I want to learn!

Who’s in for the honey face mask challenge? Have you already tried using honey on your face? What has your experience been like?

This post is linked to Monday Mania, Simple Lives Thursday, Fight Back Friday

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Kerry
January 25, 2013 at 3:01 pm

hey lori .
i wanna know dat can i use “olay natural white ” when i go outside while continuing honey on my face …..

if no than suggest me what can i use when going outside ?
christy
January 26, 2013 at 12:40 pm

Hi Lori,

I like yourself have had my share of acne … I’ve been prescribed acutane in high doses numerous face washed and you guessed it nothing. I’ve dealt with it since middle school and I’m now 26. I do drink a lot of tea and coffee with the normal sugar on daily basis. I started using baking soda with apple cider vinager for about a week now and tried the honey with a little bit of warm heat then let cool and rinsed with warm water. I hope to use honey and acv and see improvements soon… please inform me of any things I can do to improve my complextion sooner. ill update in about a week.
Petra
January 29, 2013 at 9:57 am

You said to do this everyday, 2x/day for the 1st 2 weeks. After that, what do i use as an everyday facial cleanser?
Thanks and sorry if I overlooked the answer to my question.
1. Lori Winter
  January 30, 2013 at 1:35 pm
  
  Hi Petra!
  I actually use honey as an everyday cleanser – no soap at all!
Tina
February 2, 2013 at 11:23 am

Hey! :)
I have been suffering from acne for almost a year now and i longed for clear skin so badly. All the medicines my dermatologist prescribed or the ones i bought, aren’t working at all. The acne never really goes away and its so so so frustrating. A week ago, I tried using honey on my face and its great; the pimples were starting to clear up and my face felt so fresh. Suddenly a few days later, my acne started to break out even more and I had more pimples on my chin, jawline and my cheeks (where my acne is). I just wanted to know if it means I’m allergic to honey or something? or how long this period of “gets worse before it gets better” will last? cause the acne is definitely destroying my self-esteem :(
i use cleanser 2 times a day. I also use aloe vera gel in the morning before applying scar medicine on my face. at night, i apply blemish gel before applying night face cream. am i using too much?
I’m really looking forward to your feedback. Thanks :)
1. tina
  February 2, 2013 at 9:31 pm
  
  if it didn’t get worse at first, i would think it is something other than the honey. either something in your diet or something you sometimes get exposed to.
2. Sigrid
  February 16, 2013 at 6:58 am
  
  Tina – try changing your pillow case each night before going to bed, in addition to the honey mask.
Sophie
February 6, 2013 at 7:39 am

I’m going to start using the honey mask, I have this ‘Royal Jelly with extracts of Pure Honey Body Wash’ That I’ve never used do you think that will help with my body acne?
Thanks (:
1. Lori Winter
  February 6, 2013 at 1:34 pm
  
  I would definitely recommend reading the ingredients for any product. Most likely it contains some questionable chemicals, colorings, preservatives, etc. that I would personally stay away from.
Beauty School: Andrea Brown’s Beauty Essentials! | MissMalini
February 13, 2013 at 6:41 am

[…] 1. Organic Honey. I use this as a mask. See here to learn how to make a honey mask. […]
Derwin
February 13, 2013 at 6:20 pm

few days ago i already do this put amount of honey in my face
im just waiting for a result hope its works its my first time to do this treatment
hope they get rid off my acne and help too for my pimples..
neha
February 14, 2013 at 6:09 am

i have a fair skin, but from back few days my belly area and back is turning dark! and i wanna wear saree on coming function, so is this remedy allright and quick one?
Sarah
February 17, 2013 at 6:30 pm

I have been using this mask for about a week now. My overall complexion has become even and glowing. But now all of a sudden I have five giant cyst like pimples where I have never had pimples before. And I understand that the honey brings out the gunk that has been hiding in my pores. I just hope it gets better soon.
jocelyn
February 17, 2013 at 7:12 pm

Any suggestions to shrink large pores?
Jaibee
February 19, 2013 at 9:37 pm

I just started this today and in the shower it felt greasy but now that I’m out it doesn’t feel greasy, just nice and soft. I will have to get some organic cold pressed coconut oil because my forehead feels dry. I made a hair mask out of my raw honey and olive oil. It was messy but my hair feels amazingly soft and is so shiny now.
mary
February 22, 2013 at 6:19 pm

can i use wildflower honey?
Kim
February 26, 2013 at 10:01 am

Hello Lori,

I used the honey mask and my face is broke out as we speak do you know how long this will last? Also when I rinse should I rinse with water only or a soap? Thanks
Kim
February 26, 2013 at 10:03 am

When I say brokeout I mean…Brokeout with the tiny bumps I thought I was having an allergic reaction but this is normal correct?
Line
February 26, 2013 at 12:04 pm

Hi Lori! Do you know if coldpressed avocado Oil or coldpressed Golden jojoba Oil would be good to use for a moisterizer? I have honey on my face right now, and I’m planning to do as you suggested. Hope you answer! :)
Lisa
February 27, 2013 at 8:45 pm

I use raw honey and sugar mixed as a facial scrub. It works wonders. I’ve saved so much money by not buying all those expensive products that make false claims. Grape Seed Oil is a great night time moisterizer!
Selena
March 3, 2013 at 12:36 am

If I put the raw honey on my lips will that help make them even smoother?
Darren
March 5, 2013 at 1:43 am

I have been using a plain honey mask daily for approximately 30 mins before showering once a day for the last 30 years thanks to my grandmothers advice, I am now 44 and have the skin of a 30 year old (great for keeping the skin in exceptional condition), great to see others trying it, stick to it as it works a treat as I’m living proof. Good Luck Honey’s.
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March 8, 2013 at 9:34 am

[…] but not least, I stumbled upon Lori at Laurel of Leaves two posts on Natural Skin Treatment. I don’t like all of the chemicals in most of the […]
ally
March 9, 2013 at 3:38 am

Lori, I found out that this a great advice from your end regarding acne breakouts. I am currently doing this treatment but I added fresh milk with honey as my facial mask. I have this stubborn pimple breakout in my temple area,my chin and forehead. This is a result of stress from my work and the changing weather here. it’s already 5 days from the time I started using honey+milk face mask, but I have seen how it lessen and let the zit out specially if I have so many white heads on my face. Thanks for blogging this one. I’ll also blogged the result of this treatment milk+honey mask. God bless!
Should These Foods Go On Your Face Or In Your Mouth? | Magic 106.3 FM
March 11, 2013 at 11:47 am

[…] Honey apparently clears one’s skin of acne. […]
Dima
March 11, 2013 at 12:06 pm

Hi,
Thanks for sharing your ” honey experience ” with us!
I have my ” honey story ” , too. My son (6 years old) suffered from serious eczema after a visit to the dead sea. Salt and minerals made his face very dry, red, which caused itching . I used medical treatments for 2 days, but his skin was still very dry. So I switched to honey, and thank God I did. I applied honey on his face for 3 days, and that was enough for curing the dryness. He is fine now, honey is also good for our children !
mooly
March 12, 2013 at 7:47 am

hiii :)
i was suffering from my faceial skin since forever, when i ver i try masks my skin worsens
ive tried honey twice at different times the first my face got worse so i stopped then i read about it again, retried it and got worse as well, pimples appeared and roughneess it just looked baaad
what did i do wrong???
KJ
March 20, 2013 at 9:21 pm

I actually have a honey mask on now! I was wondering how long until I wash the honey off, and it’s a good thing I found your website! I recently changed my moisturizer, and I noticed that my skin is becoming dryer! I heard that honey is good for dry skin also? Anyways, I think I am going to follow you for quite a while :)
Meg
March 21, 2013 at 12:25 am

Hi Lori,
I found your sight about 2 weeks ago and started a daily routine of honey, ACV, and coconut oil. I have been dealing with sever cystic acne on and off for about 6 years now. Did the whole creams, pills, cortisone shots…yuck yuck yuck and yuck. So when I recently started having issues again, but more severe I was not looking forward to a visit to the doctor. I started this routine instead first and figured what the heck…. The first few days I started to notice a difference and was amazed. I am now at the two week point and it is still bad . But acne cyst’s that that were bad when I started are almost gone and cysts that were very deep are just starting to surface. Right now I am doing a Honey mask in the morning for 1/2hr to 1hr then at night the same thing followed by ACV and Coconut oil (pretty much your routine however sometimes I add lemon juice in the morning). Another thing is cystic acne can be painful and I often feel relief as soon as I put it on!! Thanks for the info! I just wanted to know about how long until you noticed it went from bad to worse and then to better? Thanks again Lori!!