Honey Face Mask for Clear, Glowing Skin
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
Comments are closed.
Hannah J.
March 21, 2013 at 6:00 amHi! I just started the honey mask and I want to start using the coconut oil afterwards to moisturize. But I’m allergic to coconut- well, to consuming it at least. Do you think it would be a bad idea to use it for topical use as long as I don’t consume it? Or would it create an allergic reaction?
Christian
March 22, 2013 at 9:17 amHi Lori I’ve just recently started this honey mask. It feels great!!! but I was wondering what I can put on my skin afterwards since my skins starts to dry out and flake a little ??? I’m looking for some type of natural moisturizer ???
Jennifer Zingalie
March 24, 2013 at 6:02 amI was interested in what you had to say about your gut. I have reduced my diet to basically all fruit and veggies and still may face has not cleared up–should I just wait longer? What can I do further in my food to make this better?
Jennifer Zingalie
March 24, 2013 at 6:03 amcoconut oil
Veronica
March 26, 2013 at 12:39 pmI’ve been doing the honey mask for quite some time now and I do it in the shower without getting my face wet before i was my hair I leave it on for about 10 min and then rinse it off. I also apply honey onto my neck and chest it removes extra oil witch I love about the honey mask. If I don’t use it my face starts getting oily and breaking out. However, it leaves my skin dry and flaky… any suggestions?
Jenya
March 27, 2013 at 11:17 amJust put the mask on. Will report on the results! Thanks Lori.
Janet
March 28, 2013 at 7:07 pmI am on day 7 of a daily honey facial. I learned about this site on an American TV show. After only 7 days my skin is amazing! I’m 63 years old and my skin has not looked this good in years. I have yet to try the coconut oil because the oil I had was hard as a rock and I had to order more. Can’t wait to add that to the routine. I have used honey to heal wounds but never thought about using it as a mask. Thank you!
fatima Ray
March 29, 2013 at 4:57 ami will try now in to my face hope it wilp work.
ann olegovna
March 31, 2013 at 2:37 amhey.. i got tiny spot all over my forehead.. if i pinch it a clear liquid will come out… and sometime it turn into acne.. this thing been bothering me.. do you think honey can cure this..
Louise
April 2, 2013 at 5:18 amIsn’t coconut oil really, I mean REALLY, comedogenic and will only make the acne worse? Source: http://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/facts-figures/comedogenic-rating.html
Kerry Frank
April 4, 2013 at 6:10 pmAs an organic beekeeper, I want to clarify some information about honey; conventional hives have antibitotics and other medications placed inside, many beekeepers store their hives with parabenzene (moth balls) in the bottom to keep moths out and engage in practices that are controversial to say the least. – for some people that are reacting, please keep this in mind, it may be the honey you have chosen.
China is the #1 leading exporter of honey to the US, (removing much if not all of the pollen depleting the antibacterial properties), its highly possible that what is purchased has none of the cleansing ability that a standard mask made with organic, raw honey would have. Instead if using this type of honey, you may have found your face coated in heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticides and other things that are not healthy or good.
So, I agree, the honey may have caused a detox reaction however, it is just as likely that the honey you bought (with out knowing) caused the break out as well…
Please read the following articles, the last is the USDA guideline for honey, look at what part actually has to be honey to be imported…and note the levels of cane sugar and fructose that may exisit still in order for it to be labeled “honey”. The last study, which is scientific but can be understood by most educated individuals because it is so well-written explains a lot about the way honey is adultrated.
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/
http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/11/honey-your-bear-might-not-be-honey
http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/National%20Food%20Safety%20Standard%20on%20Honey%20(draft)_Beijing_China%20-%20Peoples%20Republic%20of_5-19-2011.pdf
http://public.wsu.edu/~sjwang/DP-honey-sucrose.pdf
In health,
K.
Victoria
June 20, 2013 at 8:13 pmso would you say that 100% natural, unprocessed honey from a local beekeeper is a better option than buying any honey from a store?
Alex
April 8, 2013 at 3:14 amI’ve used several different facewash types for years and I’ve gotten little results; however, I’ve heard about honey as a mask for a while, and considering I can’t seem to keep my hands off of my face, (which doesn’t help with the bacteria) I’m finally giving it a go, (and it already helped get rid of one very painful papule!)
Also who doesn’t like being able to lick your fingers after application?
linda
April 10, 2013 at 8:54 amDoes the honey mask help with black heads?
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Abby
April 11, 2013 at 11:14 amWhat kind of coconut oil do you use? Can I use what I find at the grocery store that’s for cooking or something else?
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April 22, 2013 at 7:55 pm[…] smooth it over your face and wait about a half-hour. One natural beauty blogger has sworn that honey has helped her acne fade, and go figure: it’s got antibacterial […]
Reah
April 23, 2013 at 6:09 amI’m 17 and I have really bad acne on my face and chest. I’ve recently started using a honey and apple mask. I leave it on for about an hour and then wash it with warm water. Is this something that will work with acne?
I’m a little worried about using coconut oil on my face since its already oily and prone to breakouts. What kind of coconut oil though? Can I use the branded ones they use for hair?
Emily
April 30, 2013 at 9:04 pmI’ve been using an all natural face wash with lavender, tea tree, rose hips ect… then apple cider vinegar, then a honey mask and just used coconut oil for the first time. My skin has always been bad, been to doctors, taken meds, everything. This is the best my face has looked in 15 years.
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May 8, 2013 at 1:17 pm[…] and back to facial skin within days. Laurel of Leaves shares her simple and effective honey mask on her blog. Similarly, honey provides hair with an excellent natural conditioner and moisturizes by attracting […]
Tneisha
May 8, 2013 at 11:46 pmIf you havent heard already, Honey is the absolute best way to care for your precious face. I have always had a very annoying acne scar problem on my fave. So after some research I’ve made a little recipe for my self that makes it work 10x better. Honey, to soften, moisturize and fade scars , Lemon to brighten your skin and Sea Salt to also fade scars.
Take 2 tablespoons of honey and pour it in a small bowl. Take a lemon. Slice it in half and squeeze out the juice into the bowl. And add 1/4 cup of Sea Salt ( Dead Sea salt) into the bowl. Mix it altogether. And use that as a face mask! Apply for about 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water. You’ll feel great just after the first treatment ! Do this twice a day. I guarantee amazing results in 2 weeks. If you have a scarring problem.
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May 12, 2013 at 5:10 am[…] Even before pharmaceutical and over-the-counter treatments were popular, men and women used honey to improve their skin condition, heal blemishes, and minimize scarring. As an effective, low-cost home treatment, many people use honey for acne because of its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Honey masks can bring moisture and vibrancy and back to facial skin within days. Laurel of Leaves shares her simple and effective honey mask on her blog. […]
Paige
May 14, 2013 at 8:13 pmHello!
Okay, so I was reading this and a few questions popped in my head.
1) I have really sensitive skin, would this affect it?
2) How long before you notice a difference?
3) When the toxins are coming out, is it bad? Like are there really bumps everywhere?..
Thanks:)
Nanak
May 18, 2013 at 2:59 pmI used also honey on my face with lemon and honey , yogurt and is it right or not but I hv some acne and zits my face I want clear skin plz give me sollution .
Honey: Above and Beyond Your Tea Cup | Nutritious Food | Nutrition Bag | My Blog
May 20, 2013 at 12:32 am[…] Even before pharmaceutical and over-the-counter treatments were popular, men and women used honey to improve their skin condition, heal blemishes, and minimize scarring. As an effective, low-cost home treatment, many people use honey for acne because of its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Honey masks can bring moisture and vibrancy and back to facial skin within days. Laurel of Leaves shares her simple and effective honey mask on her blog. […]
Jessie
May 21, 2013 at 8:30 pmHey!
So I really wanna try this honey mask, but, after reading the comments, I discovered that many people get small bumps on their face?! How can I get rid of them once they begin to show? Should I still try the mask? Because honestly I don’t want more bumps on my face!! Lol!
I just wanna know what to do before I even begin!
Thanks!! :)
Brianna
October 23, 2013 at 5:49 pmDid you try this? I’m concerned about the small bumps too! Please let me know what you experienced if you’ve tried.
Thanks!!
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