The Top 10 Honey Face Masks for All Skin Types (Evidence Based)

Honey is one of the oldest foods known to man and it has been used for centuries, not only as a food source but also for its amazing medicinal properties. One of the many health benefits of honey is the way it can help treat acne, reduce the appearance of pimples, scars, and blemishes and generally improve the skin appearance. It’s very simple to make honey face masks in order to enjoy all the healing benefits of honey.

In order to treat acne or any other kind of skin blemish, it is important that topical treatments, such as honey, do all of the following:

• Cleanse the skin of impurities
• Kill off bacteria
• Provide moisture and act as a barrier against further infection
• Reduce inflammation
• Help the wound to heal

In addition to that, it is also important that topical treatments don’t contain harsh and synthetic chemicals which can aggravate the problem even more.

How and Why Honey is Beneficial for the Skin

Why is honey so beneficial for your skin? Why is it one of the best natural ways to treat various skin problems? Here are many reasons why you should put honey on your face and use it to treat acne, get rid of pimples, treat wounds, and soothe irritation.

First of all, it is important to point out that you should always use raw and preferably organic honey for treating skin conditions (as many honeys sold in supermarkets are actually fake honeys). This way you can make sure that it contains all the healing properties that your skin needs.

Honey is antibacterial and antiseptic

One of the most important properties why honey is beneficial for the skin is that it contains powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties. For example, clinical studies have shown that honey is effective in killing off almost all types of bacteria.¹ A report called How Honey Kills Bacteria, showed that honey was even effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria like the MSRA superbug.²

This is important in treating acne because bacteria develop in the blocked pores of the skin causing inflammation. So, honey can effectively kill off bacteria which cause spots and pimples to develop and this is a great reason to use honey face masks.

Honey has antioxidant properties

Antioxidants are also very important in helping to get rid of acne, blemishes and reduce spots and pimples. Antioxidants help to destroy free radicals which can harm the skin. They also protect the skin by not allowing toxins to cause damage.

The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported that honey contains many compounds which work together to make powerful antioxidant properties.³

This means that honey can help destroy free radicals on the skin, which can be one of the causes of acne.⁴

Honey hydrates the skin

Honey is hygroscopic, which means that is a very effective skin moisturizer because it attracts and holds water molecules and at the same time dries out bacteria.

This can also help to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes, acne spots and also help reduce the formation of acne scars (and indeed honey is one of my recommended treatments to get rid of acne scars).

Honey helps wounds and burns heal faster

The medicinal properties of honey make it an excellent way to help wounds heal quicker. This is because it has both a therapeutic effect and it speeds up the healing process. A study published by the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology into honey showed that it is effective in helping wounds heal better and quicker.⁵

This works by a process whereby the sugars in honey interact with water to inhibit microorganisms. It also produces hydrogen peroxide which has a healing effect on wounds.

So, taking into account the amazing antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of natural raw honey, it comes as no surprise that it is one of the best natural ingredients to treat any type of skin problem. Honey will help to clear up rashes, skin irritations, reduce acne, and also help reduce acne scars.

So, how can you use honey to keep your face and your skin free from acne spots, pimples, scars, and any other kind of skin blemish that you may have? Here are some great recipes for honey face masks which will help your skin to always look amazing.

Honey Face Mask Recipes

It is very easy to make honey face masks to keep your skin looking great, and what’s better, you will probably already have most of the ingredients in your cupboard. It’s always recommended using only natural raw, organic honey.

In any of the honey face mask recipes below you can substitute raw organic honey for Manuka honey, which also has proven powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as mentioned in my article about Manuka honey health benefits and uses.

Don’t be afraid if some of these face masks contain oil because they will not make your acne worse. Instead, they will provide your skin with the nutrients it needs and will help reduce the amount of oil that your skin produces.

Honey Face Mask for Acne

This face mask provides a mixture of oils which have anti-inflammatory properties, essential oils, and honey to create a great face mask for acne.

You will need:

• 1 tbsp. raw organic honey
• 1 tbsp. of carrier oil such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, or sweet almond oil
• 3 drops tea tree oil or lavender essential oil

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together, apply to your face and leave for at least 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Honey and Cinnamon Face Mask for Acne

The combination of honey and cinnamon has proven to be great for your health. Cinnamon has antibacterial properties,⁶ making it a good ingredient to add to a face mask for acne.

You will need:

• 1 tbsp. raw organic honey
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

Mix well all the ingredients together and apply to the affected areas and leave for at least 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Honey and Aloe Vera Face Mask for Acne and for Skin Blemishes

By combing honey and aloe vera, which has many properties that are beneficial for the skin,⁷ you can make a great face mask which is good for general skin care and also to help treat acne and various skin blemishes.

You will need:

• 1 tbsp. pure aloe vera gel
• 1 tbsp. raw organic honey

Directions:

Mix well in a small bowl and apply to your face or affected area and leave for 20-25 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Honey Face Mask for Dry or Normal Skin

You can also make a great honey face mask by adding fresh ingredients to it. For example, bananas and avocados contain lots of minerals and vitamins that can give you healthy, glowing skin.

You will need:

• 1 tbsp. raw organic honey
• 1 tbsp. natural oil such as jojoba oil, almond oil, olive oil, or avocado oil
• 1 mashed banana OR ½ mashed avocado

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together so that you have a thick paste. Apply to your face and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Honey Face Mask to Lighten your Skin

Yogurt contains lactic acid and lemon contains several natural acids such as citric acid and malic acids, which all help to cleanse the skin and lighten it.

1 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. plain yogurt
1 tbsp. lemon juice

Mix well all the ingredients and apply to your skin and leave on for at least 20 minutes before rinsing off. You can also add to the mix turmeric to create another popular face mask with many benefits for the skin.

Honey and Clay Face Mask

Clay is fantastic for your skin. Bentonite clay, for example, has properties in it which help to draw out impurities from the skin. It is also great for acne because it has antibacterial properties. You can also use green clay which is good for oily skin, or white clay (also called kaolin) which is very gentle and suitable for sensitive, dry and mature skin.

You will need:

• 1 tsp. raw organic honey
• 1 tsp. or more Bentonite clay (or other type of clay)
• Water

Directions:

Mix the honey with a little water and add enough clay to make a paste. Apply to your face and leave for 20 minute and then rinse with warm water.

Kelp, Yogurt, and Honey Face Mask

Eating kelp and other sea weeds can greatly boost your health, but you can also use kelp for skin care. Kelp helps to open up the pores and cleanse the skin. Kelp also contains iodine, which is a powerful antibacterial agent and is used to kill bacteria in wounds.⁸  Yogurt also contains lactic acid which helps to cleanse the skin and lighten it.

You will need:

• 3 tbsp. natural yogurt
• 1 tsp. organic Kelp powder
• 1 tsp. raw organic honey

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl to form a smooth paste. Apply to your face and leave for 5-10 minute. Rinse well with warm water.

Honey Sea Salt Mask

Sea salt is great for your skin. Salt is well-known for its properties to kill off bacteria and it acts as a great exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and also tighten up the skin.

You will need:

• 1 tbsp. raw organic honey
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• Few drops of olive oil or other natural oil

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Apply to wet skin using gentle circular motions. Leave for 15-20 minutes then rinse with warm water.

Honey Face Scrub

Here is a simple yet effective facial scrub to help exfoliate dead skin cells and rejuvenate the skin.

• 1 tbsp. raw organic honey
• 1 tbsp. fine sugar OR baking soda
• Few drops of fresh lemon juice (optional)

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients and apply them to your face. Gently massage the mixture for about a minute and then leave it on for another few minutes. Rinse and moisturize the skin.

Honey Oatmeal Face Scrub

Here is another easy scrub which utilizes oatmeal skin-soothing properties and gently exfoliates the skin.

2 tsp. oatmeal ground up finely in a food processor or blender
1 tsp. raw organic honey
1 tsp. natural oil such as coconut oil, jojoba oil or olive oil

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients until you get a thick and sticky paste (add more oil if needed). Gently massage the mixture for about a minute and then leave it on for another few minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Using honey, and not just for eating, is also one of the 70 habits featured in my e-book 70 Powerful Habits For A Great Health which will guide you how to take positive steps to improve your wellness and overall health.

Read my other related articles:
1. How to Use Baking Soda for Gorgeous Face and Skin
2. Why You Should Wash Your Face With Apple Cider Vinegar
3. The Most Effective Homemade Acne Face Masks
4. How to Use Rice Water for Gorgeous Hair and Skin

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