The Benefits of Mānuka Honey for Your Skin

Let's find out what Mānuka Honey can do for your face

If you’re familiar with authentic Mānuka Honey, you’ll know it’s so much more than a sweet spread. Sourced from New Zealand’s pristine landscapes, it’s valued for its unique compounds and nutrients.

This remarkable natural ingredient also helps keep skin looking hydrated and balanced — add it to your skincare regimen for hydration and balance! Read on to find out what all the buzz is about and how you can add Mānuka Honey to your skin health routine.

Why Mānuka Honey is good for your skin

The naturally occurring compounds within Mānuka Honey, including polyphenols and methylglyoxal (MGO), are linked with its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Thanks to these, Mānuka Honey skincare can help maintain skin hydration, soothe irritated skin, and support a glowing complexion.

Note: Before using Mānuka Honey on your skin or hair, ensure you do a patch test, especially if you have any allergies or sensitivities.

How to use Mānuka Honey to care for your skin

Mānuka Honey for skin hydration and nourishment

New Zealand’s climate can be unpredictable — dry wind, cooler months, and strong sun can all leave skin feeling dehydrated. Mānuka Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin’s surface and helps to retain it. Used regularly, it can support softer, more hydrated-looking skin and a healthy glow.

Apply a thin layer to clean skin for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Mānuka Honey as part of a natural skincare routine

As skin matures, it can appear drier, duller, or less plump than it once did. Mānuka Honey is often chosen in natural skincare routines for its ability to support skin hydration and maintain a smoother, more nourished appearance.

To use, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin as a moisturising mask, or incorporate it into your weekly routine to support skin softness and suppleness.

Mānuka Honey helps maintain clear-looking skin

Some skin types react easily and may appear red, irritated, or prone to blemishes.

Mānuka Honey contains naturally derived compounds studied for their cleansing and soothing properties, which is why many people choose it for acne-prone or easily unsettled skin. After cleansing, you can apply a small dab as a spot mask to support comfort, balance, and reducing the appearance of redness.

Gentle exfoliation

For smooth, refreshed-looking skin, Mānuka Honey can be used as a gentle exfoliating face mask. Mix it with finely ground oats or a small pinch of baking soda to help lift away dead skin cells, leaving the skin’s surface soft and refined. It also makes a nourishing lip scrub.

Tip: Always do a patch test before using honey for skin care, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

How to use Mānuka Honey for skincare

Mānuka Honey for after-sun hydration

There’s nothing worse than not reapplying sunscreen in time and feeling the uncomfortable burn that follows.

Thanks to its natural humectant properties, Mānuka Honey helps the skin hold onto moisture, providing much-needed relief from dehydrated skin. Apply a thin layer, leave for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with cool water to leave skin feeling refreshed.

Mānuka Honey for a more even-looking complexion

Mānuka Honey contains a natural trace of hydrogen peroxide. With regular use, it helps skin feel soft, smooth, and refreshed, supporting a more even-looking complexion. For best results, use it as part of your skincare routine to help skin feel nourished.

Mānuka Honey face masks

Does your skin need soothing, exfoliating, revitalising, or deep hydration? Using Mānuka Honey for skin care is a simple way to achieve a healthy glow. A spoonful of Comvita Mānuka Honey, paired with a few at-home ingredients, can transform your daily Mānuka Honey skin care ritual into a luxurious treatment.

Here are some Mānuka Honey face mask ideas you can try at home. Each one is 100% natural, easy to make, and packed with skin-loving benefits.

1. The Mānuka re-invigorator

Looking for a pick-me-up for tired, dull skin? Mānuka Honey pairs with the antioxidant effects of coffee in this get-up-and-go face mask.

Combine one to two tablespoons each of Mānuka Honey and fresh coffee grounds. Apply to a clean, dry face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. When rinsing off, massage gently and then pat dry.

2. The Mānuka moisturiser

Mānuka Honey and avocado are a power duo for moisturising dehydrated skin. 

Mix a quarter of a very ripe avocado, one tablespoon of Mānuka Honey, and half a teaspoon of coconut oil. Apply to clean, dry skin and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. 

3. The honey soother

To soothe irritated skin, oatmeal and Mānuka Honey are the perfect pairing.

For this mask, grind ¼ cup of oatmeal into a flour-like consistency. Mix one tablespoon of Mānuka Honey and one tablespoon of olive or almond oil in a small bowl, and then stir in small amounts of the oat flour until it resembles a wet paste.

Smooth the mixture onto clean, dry skin and leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, massaging gently as you rinse it off. It’s skincare that’s a fun, food-inspired treat!

Frequently asked questions

Is Mānuka Honey good for sensitive skin?

Yes. This natural gift from New Zealand is especially well-suited for sensitive skin. Free from chemicals, additives, or colourings, it is safe, gentle, and non-irritating. Mānuka Honey is often recommended as part of a simple, natural skin care routine for even the most delicate complexions.

Is it good to wash your face with Mānuka Honey?

We think so! Dampen your face and hands with warm water, then use a spoon or clean fingers to scoop the honey out of its jar. Rub the honey gently between your palms and smooth evenly onto your face, gently massaging and washing just like you would with a cleanser before rinsing off with warm water.

Can Mānuka Honey tighten skin?

Yes. Mānuka Honey helps skin feel hydrated, supple, and refreshed, supporting a healthy, radiant appearance.

Comvita Tip: Try combining Mānuka Honey with your favourite facial mask ingredients to boost their effectiveness and enhance your skin care ritual.

What strength of Mānuka Honey is best for skin?

The best strength depends on your skin’s needs. All UMF™-certified grades of Mānuka Honey can be used in beauty rituals. Higher UMF grades contain higher levels of MGO, one of the unique compounds found only in Mānuka Honey.

Is eating Mānuka Honey good for skin?

Yes. Mānuka Honey is a natural source of antioxidants, which help protect the body’s cells when enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Can I use Mānuka Honey on my face every day?

Absolutely. Mānuka Honey is gentle enough for daily use and provides continuous hydration, soothing, and protection. Whether applied as a daily mask, spot treatment, or blended into your favourite products, it helps maintain healthy, balanced skin.

The Comvita difference: Premium New Zealand Mānuka Honey

Your skin deserves quality products. For over 50 years, Comvita has been sourcing and testing authentic UMF™ Mānuka Honey from NZ. Every jar is traceable to its source and packed with potent compounds that make this honey so special.

Discover the benefits of Mānuka Honey on face and body care — explore Comvita’s full range of Mānuka Honey products online today.