Manuka Honey For Acne - How It Helps and Why

Is Manuka Honey Good For Acne?

We often get asked the question - is Manuka Honey good for Acne? And the answer is ABSOLUTELY! And even better news, not only is Manuka Honey good for Acne but so is Manuka Oil. I bet you would like to know, exactly how does Manuka Oil and Manuka Honey help Acne.

Today we are going to answer that question and much more.

But first we must briefly look at what Acne is so that we can understand why Manuka Honey is good for Acne, and why Manuka Oil has such a strong effect in the treatment of Acne.

What Is Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition, largely driven by hormones and commonly affecting teens - mainly males and in young adults - mainly females, but can also affect anyone that has entered a hormonal change period.

Acne is created when a hair follicle becomes clogged by sebum (oil), keratinocytes (skin cells) and hair, this clogging doesn't allow for the natural flow of skin cells and sebum, and when combined with naturally occurring skin bacteria, it leads to inflammation - heat, redness, pain and swelling. The unchecked combination eventually spills onto the surrounding skin causing lesions and pimples.

Acne may present as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and nodules that may turn into severe nodules. The severity of acne can range from a few small blackheads to deep, painful cystic nodules. Acne is mainly seen on the face but can also be present on the back, chest and upper arms.

Acne can be caused by a variety of factors including - 

• Hormonal changes - such as the androgen increase during puberty, and hormonal change in pregnancy.
• Hereditary - you may be more prone to acne if your parents were.
• Age - it is most often seen in teenagers.
• Diet - there is much research being done into diet as a cause, and from a naturopathic perspective, a diet high in sugar, dairy and processed foods will increase the likelihood of acne occurring.
• Physical pressure - tight clothing, uniforms, backpacks, and any other friction type clothing may cause acne.
• Environmental factors - areas of high pollution and smog may cause a build-up of dirt and bacteria on the skin.
• Excessive friction - from scrubbing the skin too hard when bathing may also aggravate the hair follicles.

The bacteria that are associated with, and the culprit for, the activation of Acne is Propionibacterium (Cutibacterium) Acnes, it lives naturally on the skin, and becomes a problem when it is trapped in hair follicles. There are several types of bacteria that interact on the skin, including Staphylococcus aureas, and each either keep the other balanced or work to prevent infection from occurring. 

Medical treatment for Acne includes topical lotions, antibiotics, the oral contraceptive pill, and retinol medications such as Roaccutane. These are often last resort treatments, as they can be considered to be harsh on the body with negative side effects. 

Which is where Manuka Honey for Acne enters the picture, and why we get asked the question - is Manuka Honey good for Acne? People are increasingly turning to natural remedies that don't have any troubling side effects, and the remedy that gives the most holistic healing approach, and Manuka Honey and Manuka Oil fits that picture.

How Does Manuka Honey Help Acne?

Let's explore the question - how DOES Manuka Honey help Acne? Time to take a deep dive into the potent, therapeutic actions of Manuka Honey, and Manuka Oil. The more concentrated of the two natural treatments. 

The Manuka tree, Leptospermum Scoparium, native to New Zealand, contains many volatile oils, including -

• Triketones - that have been shown to have strong antibacterial properties and to have a strong effect on the bacteria that contribute to acne.

The Manuka flower, that Manuka Honey is produced from (by our very industrious honeybee) are rich in the bioactive compounds-

• Leptosperin- known to be strongly anti-bacterial in nature.
• Methylglyoxal (MGO)- key component responsible for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Dihyroxyacetone (DHA) - converts to MGO over time.

So why is Manuka Honey good for Acne - because it is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and bactericidal (kills bacteria). Combined, the therapeutic actions of Manuka Honey and Manuka Oil lend themselves to being a powerful natural treatment for Acne, addressing bacterial overgrowth, reducing inflammation, and soothing and healing any wounds that may occur from Acne eruptions.

What is the Best Manuka Honey for Acne?

Not all Manuka Honey and Manuka Oil are created equal. While they all contain the compounds that we have mentioned, they will be present in varying degrees according to the UMF/MGO grade of the Manuka Honey, and the geographical area in NZ, that it has been sourced from. 

For example, Manuka Oil that has been sourced form the East Cape of New Zealand is shown to have the highest concentrations of triketones, which gives it stronger anti-bacterial actions. 

When choosing a Manuka Honey for Acne, we need to consider the UMF/MGO grading system to identify its therapeutic value. This system measures the methyglyoxal content, and the presence of leptosperin, and the higher the grade, the greater the amount of these active compounds, giving it a much more effective medicinal value. Using Manuka Honey graded 15+ UMF/514+ MGO or higher, ensures that you have the quality needed to effectively treat acne. 

How to use Manuka Honey and Manuka Oil for Acne

Manuka Oil

• Apply 1 drop of Manuka Oil directly on acne pimples.
• Soak a clean face cloth in a small bowl of hot water with 2-3 drops of Manuka Oil included, then use to gently clean face, opening pores and removing bacteria.

Manuka Honey

In their article 'How to use Manuka Honey for Acne' Medical News Today suggest the following applications-

• Use a cotton tip to dab a small amount of Manuka Honey directly on to a pimple or blackhead and leave to dry.
• Mix Manuka Honey with lemon juice to create a paste, use the paste as a face mask, leave for 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water - Healthline's article 'Can you use Manuka Honey for Acne?' also includes Oats as a key ingredient when mixing Manuka Honey with lemon juice. 
• Massage a small amount of Manuka Honey into the face as a cleanser, then wash off with warm water.

Sound a bit Messy?

Here at Manuka Honey of NZ we have you covered with a great range of products that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. Check out our collection hereor you might like to look at the following products-

• Miracle Manuka Cream- Combines the powerful East Cape Manuka oil with the fatty acids of olive oil and coconut oil to prevent water loss, treat inflammation, maintain the skins pH level, and inhibit bacterial overgrowth to relieve and restore healthy skin.
• 100% East Cape Manuka Oil- With a triketone value of 35+ this pure Manuka essential oil provides you with the most potent option for treating persistent and stubborn acne. Use directly on troublesome, infected acne.

Why use Manuka Honey for Acne?

Acne can range from a simple, small blackhead to an inflammatory condition that causes pain, embarrassment, and heartache. Finding simple solutions that can be easily applied without risky side effects can give you the confidence to be in control of this unwanted skin irritation. Manuka Honey and Manuka oil are nature's own remedy, effective and healing it offers the perfect natural alternative for acne treatment.

References

Kapoor N., Yadav R. (2021) Manuka Honey: A promising wound dressing material for the chronic non-healing discharging wounds. A retrospective study. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8386265/

Mathew C., Tesfaye W., Rassmussen P., Peterson G., Bartholomaeus A., Sharma M., Thomas J. (2020) Manuka Oil - A review of anti-microbial and other medicinal properties.Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7694078/

DePietro M. (2023) How to use Manuka Honey for Acne.Retrieved from:  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321963

Ginta D. (2018) Can you use Manuka Honey for Acne. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/manuka-honey-for-acne

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2023) Acne. Retrieved from: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne