Honey for Acne

When honey was tested on acne in a randomized trial, it did not help: in a 2016 New Zealand trial (Semprini et al., BMJ Open), 136 people aged 16 to 40 washed with an antibacterial soap twice a day for 12 weeks, and half of them also applied a medical-grade kanuka honey cream (90% honey, 10% glycerine). 4 of 53 people in the honey group and 1 of 53 in the soap-only group improved by 2 or more points on the acne severity score, a difference that was not statistically significant, and the authors concluded the trial did not support kanuka honey as an acne treatment. Honey is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin, which is why it shows up in face masks and cleansers.

No honey type has been shown to work better on acne. Manuka honey is sold with UMF or MGO grades, which measure methylglyoxal (MGO) content; a higher grade is not a proven skin benefit, and it costs much more. The acne trial above used kanuka honey, a close relative of manuka, and found no benefit. If you like a honey mask, pick by feel and price: raw wildflower honey and clover honey are inexpensive and easy to find, acacia honey is pale and runny, and buckwheat honey is dark and strong-smelling. Raw honey can contain pollen, which matters if you have pollen allergies.

The simplest honey mask is plain honey on clean, damp skin. Apply a thin, even layer, leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Common variations: two tablespoons of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon (cinnamon can cause irritation or contact dermatitis, so patch test on your inner arm first); two tablespoons of honey with one teaspoon of turmeric powder (turmeric can stain light skin yellow for a while); and two tablespoons of honey with one tablespoon of finely ground oats for a thicker, gentler texture. Skip lemon juice on your face: it can irritate, and citrus juice on skin can cause a burn-like reaction in sunlight. None of these masks has been tested as an acne treatment. Apply any mask to clean skin, avoid the eye area, and rinse after 15 to 20 minutes.

There is no good evidence that honey fades acne scars or the dark marks acne leaves behind. Honey dressings healed partial-thickness burns faster than conventional dressings in clinical trials (Cochrane review, Jull et al. 2015), but an old acne scar is a different problem, and we found no trial testing honey on acne scars. Claims that honey reduces melanin, or that adding rosehip oil fades scars faster, have not been tested either. Flat dark marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) often fade on their own over months, and daily sunscreen keeps them from darkening. Pitted or raised scars need a dermatologist; treatments include laser therapy, microneedling and chemical peels.

Honey is not an acne treatment. Proven options include over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide and adapalene, and for moderate to severe acne involving deep cysts, widespread inflammation or scarring, a dermatologist can prescribe retinoids, antibiotics or other treatments. Always patch test any honey preparation on a small area of skin before full facial application, waiting 24 hours to check for a reaction. While rare, some people react to honey, especially those with bee or pollen allergies. Cinnamon, lemon juice and turmeric additions all carry their own irritation risks and should be introduced one at a time. Honey is sticky and can be messy to apply — have towels and hair bands ready. Do not apply honey to infected, open or weeping acne cysts — see a healthcare provider. If acne is moderate to severe or not improving, see a dermatologist rather than extending a home routine.