Acne is a universal problem that almost everyone would do anything to solve. It is mostly your skin’s reaction to factors like hormone change, poor diet, stress, and pollution.
Almost 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 living in the United States of America get affected by acne on a yearly basis. That is almost a total of 50 million people every year with the exclusion of almost 5% of people between the ages of 40 to 49 who also get affected by acne in the United states.
People have spent millions of dollars on acne prevention products but most of them seem to leave the affected area worse than it was before. This problem has led to the quest for natural methods of treating acne.
One of the easiest natural methods of acne treatment is the use of honey. Honey is a very rich product that is not only edible but wonderful for skin care. For the sake of this article I will be focused on the manuka honey.
The manuka honey, originally from New Zealand, has been discovered to help the treatment of acne for many centuries. The manuka honey is made up of sugars (Primarily glucose and fructose), vitamins and minerals, amino acids, hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal, two antimicrobial compounds.
All the above listed properties combined with the low ph level in manuka honey makes it one of the best products to add to your skin care routine especially if you have been battling with acne for a very long time.
What are the benefits of manuka honey?
The manuka honey as long been described as a super honey and this is for very good reasons.
Cosmetic benefits and effects on acne
one of the easiest ways to improve your skin’s appearance is to make use of manuka honey it can also help with balancing your skin pH level and with the removal of dead skin cells leaving the surface of your skin fresh and beautiful.
The manuka honey has an anti-inflammatory effect which can reduce local inflammation caused by an acne outbreak. having bacterial on your skin can lead to a variety of skin problems the manuka honey has antibacterial properties which will help to live you are bacterias on your skin and reduces how bacteria infect your pores to cause acne. the manuka honey can also heal existing pimples and its low ph level helps to speed up healing process when you are treating acne.
Healing properties
studies have reported the various beneficial actions of the manuka honey. for example the manuka honey destroys harmful bacteria because of its hydrogen peroxide content and it’s possession of compounds like methylglyoxal. another wonderful property of the manuka honey is that it is effective in killing pathogens, and that includes antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When your skin is kept bacterial free the healing process can take place alot faster.
the manuka honey is also a very good emollient thus it can keep your skin soft. the high concentration of sugar in this honey can keep a wound all star area moist which would eventually speed up the healing process.
What else can the manuka honey do? It can help you reduce pain and inflammation form a wound site and even help with other skin problems such as dandruff and psoriasis.
How to use Manuka honey for acne treatment?
Manuka honey can be used as a face mask or as a face cleanser. But whichever way you choose to apply it, make sure your makeup is thoroughly wiped first.
Using Manuka honey as a face cleanser
To use manuka honey as a face cleanser, put a pea-sized quantity on your face. If needed you can dilute it in a few drops of water or just use a bit more of the honey.
Studies have revealed that even when diluted manuka honey still retains its antibacterial properties. Gently massage the honey all over your face for a couple of minutes then leave to sit for another 5 to 10 minutes before you wash off with cold water and gently pat dry.
Using Manuka honey as a face mask
To make a face mask from manuka honey you will be needing the following ingredients: manuka honey, lemon juice, and some oatmeal.
Make a mixture with the three ingredients till it has a paste-like consistency then apply generously on your face and leave the sit for a few minutes. You can also decide to use a mask of only manuka honey and allow to to sit on your skin for as long as 30 minutes before you eventually wash it off.
Manuka honey for treatment of spots
to treat spots using manuka honey all you have to do is apply a small quantity to individual pimples and let it sit (do not wash off). The antibacterial properties of manuka honey will help shrink out the newly forming pimples.
Warning and risks involved with the use of Manuka honey
So far, there has been no negative reaction associated with the use of medical grade honey. However, there are certain guidelines that is vital you know before you make a purchase of manuka honey.
Manuka honey is a specific kind of honey
Labels such as organic, pure, and raw are not enough to guarantee that the product you are buying contains all the properties of an original manuka honey.
Getting the right kind of Manuka honey
never purchase a jar of manuka honey that wasn’t produced and packaged in new zealand. Spending a bit more money on high efficiency product is worth it if its coming from a reliable source.
Make sure you search the label for the word “active” written in such a way that it can be easily read by the buyer. Also endeavour to look out if there is an indication of the quality of the honey using different rating factors.
The OMA (Organic Manuka Active) and the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) should be 15 or higher. The MGO (methylglyoxal) should be a minimum of 250.
There are some varieties of Manuka honey that are stronger than others when it comes to antibacterial potency. If the one you are purchasing is one of such, it should be indicated on the label.
It is rare to have allergic reactions to honey
While it is very rare for people to react to honey, it is better to be cautious. Make sure to apply a tiny quantity on your chain and watch out for any unusual reactions such as itchiness. If you do not experience any, you can go ahead and apply it on your face.
What other way can acne be treated?
There are tons of ways to treat acne one of which is the use of over-the-counter beauty products which make use of ingredients such as sulphur, silicate acid, and recorsinol.
One of the benefits of using natural products to treat skin infections is that you have little or no fear of a terrible skin reaction. However, there are certain people who might be allergic to some of the natural acne treatment ingredients therefore it is primary that you understand what works for your skin before you engage in any DIY treatment.
Some of the people who suffer from acne outbreak are majorly teenagers and pregnant women. To deal with acne outbreak during pregnancy, check out our article on natural ways to treat acne during pregnancy. We are sure you would find it very valuable to keeping your skin fresh and good looking during pregnancy and after childbirth.
