Does honey help acne - Manuka honey for acne treatment

Home > Manuka honey helps in acne treatment

Can manuka honey help acne?
There are conflicting views about its help in the treatment of acne.

The lingering doubts in the minds of would be users are "why use honey for acne?", "does manuka honey really help in the treatment?" and "does sugar in honey worsen the case ?" First we have to understand what acne is and also the physical, chemical and treatment potential of manuka honey to correlate with scientific findings.

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition faced by most of the teens and the exact cause of acne is not fully understood. There is no permanent treatment for it. Acne is a skin condition wherein the tiny pores connecting the hair follicles to the skin surface get clogged. The reason behind this clogging is the excess sebum production by the sebaceous glands. Added to this clogging, bacterial (Propionibacterium acnes) growth, insufficient desquamation of the outer layer of epidermis (Stratum corneum), collection of skin debris and dirt, block the pore and cause comedone (acne). Any one can get acne and areas of high oil gland activity like face, neck, chest and back are the most affected. Acne triggering factors include hormonal imbalance, harsh chemicals and environmental elements and general stress. Many homemade skin treatments help in alleviating the acne conditions.

What is manuka honey?

Manuka tree and flowers

For centuries honey has been used in treatment of many diseases. However its anti-bacterial activity differs greatly from sample to sample. Manuka honey is found to have exceptionally high antibacterial activity. It is made by the honeybees from the nectar of manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). This tree is a native of New Zealand and southeast Australia. Manuka tree is an ever green scrub-type tree wildly growing through out New Zealand. Manuka honey is dark colored, distinctly flavored with rich taste.

Therapeutic values of manuka honey help acne treatment

High osmolality (supersaturation) of manuka honey with sugars makes it a difficult medium for acne bacteria to thrive on. The growth of microorganisms is inhibited on application as it lacks free water. Skin moisture and acne exudation, help and set in motion glucose oxidase enzyme reaction and the resultant hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production. Slow release of H₂O₂ provide antimicrobial activity without damage to living tissue. It helps in partial oxidation of clogging materials and the emptying of the contents of comedone. Moreover, in the event of removal of hydrogen peroxide activity, antimicrobial activity is still present and it is traced to the presence of high levels of antibacterial phyto-chemicals. It is now known that this non hydrogen peroxide antibacterial activity is due to combined action of methylglyoxal (MGO or C₃H₄O₂), the aldehyde form of pyruvic acid, and also a synergistic component which is still to be identified. The presence of this synergist helps in more than doubling the antimicrobial activity of methylglyoxal and in turn help in treatment.

Some factors in this product have been found to help immune response by stimulating phagocyte and lymphocyte activity of white blood cells. It helps and promotes rapid healing with minimal scar tissue formation. It has been found to help in destroying bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Eschericihia coli and Enterococci.

How does manuka honey help in acne treatment

Honey produced from the nectar of manuka trees is tested for antimicrobial activity and given a potency rating called Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). The higher the UMF value, the greater is antimicrobial activity level and effective treatment. For best results manuka product with a rating of UMF 10 or higher is advised. Further UMF graded product is also sterilized by gamma radiation without losing any antimicrobial activity. It loses hydrogen peroxide producing enzyme when heated or exposed to light losing the efficacy for treatment.

Some homemade manuka honey recipes for acne treatment

Application of manuka honey is recommended for acne as such or in combination with other acne care products. Always check your skin sensitivity for every product before face application and treatment. You can apply the product on the inside of your forearm and wait for two hours. If there is no irritation, rash or itch, you can go ahead with the treatment. If there is any reaction, then refrain from using the product.

Direct applications help in acne treatment

Wash your face with mild soap and dab it dry with clean towel. Apply directly on the face as a thin film. If it is the second application for the day, you may apply only on the affected spots. Wait for one hour and rinse your face with warm water. You can also apply and leave it over night. Take care as it may stick on to pillow and hair. You can wash with mild soap in the morning. Regular application helps in reducing the inflammation and bring down fresh incidence of acne. If you come across flare-up, discontinue the treatment immediately.

Manuka honey and cinnamon masks helps in acne treatment

You can take Cinnamon powder in a bowl and add manuka honey in sufficient quantity to make it into a paste. Wash your face in warm water with mild soap. Dab it dry with clean towel. Now apply the mask evenly on the face. After waiting for one hour you can wash it clean. This helps oily skin. You can continue the treatment for two or three weeks by which time acne incidences will come down.

Manuka honey and oatmeal helps in acne treatment

You can add it to oatmeal in a bowl. Blend well. You may also grind oatmeal before adding. Wash your face well with mild soap in warm water. Dab your face dry with a clean towel. Apply this mask evenly and wait for 30 minutes. Then wash and rinse your face. This helps oily skin. Continue treatment till acne resolves.

Manuka honey and lemon juice helps in acne treatment

Lemon and manuka make a good combination which helps in face oil removal and control and also exfoliation. Wash your face with clean and warm water using a mild soap. Dab your face dry with a clean towel. Apply the mixture evenly on the skin and wait for thirty minutes. Wash your face well to remove the application. You can continue the treatment till the acne resolve.

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Author: Gerald.w
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Does honey help acne? - Manuka honey acne treatment

Honey for acne scars - Honey mask for acne

Home > Honey mask for acne - Honey for acne scars

Can honey mask treat acne scars?
Acne and its scars can be treated with honey, if control measures are undertaken early.

Acne scars affect 30% of those with moderate or severe incidence. Honey has antibacterial activity. To reduce the chances for getting scars, treatment with honey must be taken up early. Deep seated scars do not completely disappear with honey treatment although they may fade to some extent with time.

There are many expensive conventional treatments available for acne scars like dermabrasion, subcision, silicone gel dressings, cryotherapy, surgery and laser resurfacing. Homemade honey mask being the least expensive, can reduce moderate blemishes if treated early.

Formation of acne scars and their types

As a natural process of healing, acne scars are formed. In the biological process of wound repairs, disfigurements are formed as part of healing. Acne initially goes through inflammatory process followed by follicular rupture. Then there is perifollicular abscess formation. This is followed by healing process.

Healing process involves inflammation, granulation tissue formation and matrix remodeling. Holland et al in their study have found that in persons with severe acne disfigurements the inflammatory reaction was slower, stronger and had a longer duration when compared to persons who did not develop scars. Hence it was inferred that treating inflammations early may be the correct approach for preventing scars.

Though the new tissue is collagen protein, its fiber composition and alignment is different from that of damaged original protein of the tissue. Hence it stands out differently from the rest of the skin. If the hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands are damaged they do not grow back within the new tissue. The depth and size of acne impacts the characteristics of the acne scars types. In the result of wound healing there will be net gain or loss of collagen protein. If the scars are associated with loss of collagen, they are called atrophic scars and are further sub-grouped into 'ice pick', 'boxcar', and 'rolling' scars. If the scars are associated with excess collagen deposition, they are hypertrophic and typically appear firm, raised and reddish, purple or pink in color.

Role of honey mask in acne treatment

Honey mask is a good homemade face moisturizer. Active manuka honey is the honey of choice for treating the blemishes. The high sugar osmolality (supersaturation) of honey mask makes it a difficult medium for bacteria to thrive in. The lack of 'free' water in the mask inhibits the growth of microorganisms. Honey is exceptionally high in antibacterial activity. slow release hydrogen peroxide activity of honey mask provides this antimicrobial activity without damage to the living tissue. There is also oxidation of the clogging materials which leads their emptying on the skin surface. Manuka honey particularly has high levels of non-peroxide antimicrobial activity traced to its high levels of antibacterial phytochemicals, methylglyoxal (MGO or C3H4O2), the aldehyde form of pyruvic acid. There is also a synergistic component (yet to be identified) present in it which doubles the antibacterial activity of methylglyoxal. Honey mask is found to promote rapid healing without disfigurement.

Honey for acne scars

When using any skin care product it always advisable to test whether it causes skin sensitivity. After preparing the mask, apply it on the inside of your forearm and wait for two hours. If there is no irritation, inflammation or itch, the mask is safer for facial application. If you get skin irritation or if the skin is sensitive to touch on the test area, refrain from applying the mask.

Plain honey

Wash your face in clean lukewarm water. Use mild soap. After wash dab your face dry with a clean towel without rubbing. Apply honey on the face and wait for one hour. Then wash off the mask and rinse your face well. Continue the honey mask application for a few weeks. It will remove minor disfigurements.

Honey and lemon juice mask

Honey mask with lemon juice combination makes an excellent cleanser and moisturizer. It also removes excess face oil. The proportions can be equal or you may use 1/3 lemon juice. Wash your face with mild soap and dab it dry with a clean towel. Apply and leave the mixture on the face for 30 minutes. Then rinse well and dab your face dry. You can repeat application daily till the scars fade and resolve.

Honey and cinnamon powder mask

Clean your face in lukewarm water using a mild soap. Dab your face with a clean towel. Mix the ingredients well to form a paste. Apply the mask evenly on the face. Wait for one hour and rinse and clean your face. You can repeat it daily till disfigurement fades.

Honey and oatmeal mask for acne

Grind oatmeal into powder. Take ingredients in a bowl and blend to make them into paste. Apply it evenly on your face. Wait for one hour and then wash your face clean. Dab your face with a clean towel. Repeat the honey application daily till the acne fades.

Honey and sandalwood powder mask

Wash your face well with mild soap. Add the ingredients to make a paste. Apply it on your face and wait for 30 minutes. Rinse well to remove the paste. Repeat daily for results.

As said earlier, when you develop acne immediately treat it to reduce inflammation and apply honey so that it does not develop into a scar.

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Honey mask for acne - Honey for acne scars

the use of super food honey in skin care

Honey is a sweet fluid produced by honey bees and derived from the nectar of flowers. Honey gets its sweetness from monosaccharide, fructose and glucose and has approximately the same relative sweetness as granulated sugar. Honey contains a variety of flavonoids and phenolic acids which act as antioxidants. Honey is a source of natural unrefined sugars and carbohydrates which are easily absorbed by the body providing an instant energy boost. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of honey aid in healing of sore throats and laryngitis.

Honey is used for treating burns and wounds to the skin.