No one likes dry skin. It causes discomfort, and can worsen conditions like eczema. Dry skin can even put your skin at risk for infections. Manuka honey skin care benefits offer a solution. Manuka honey is like no other honey. It is a natural humectant to moisturize dry skin.
No other honey is so rare and unique that it must be tested in a lab before it can be sold. Before Manuka honey leaves New Zealand, each jar of honey must pass specific standards. The two main grading systems for Manuka honey that are used in New Zealand are MGO (methylglyoxal) and UMF (Unique Manuka Factor).
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Product Table in a Hurry
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm | Daily facial cleanser, Moisturizes, Nourishes, and Rejuvenates Skin – 2.8oz (80ml) |
| Comvita Certified RAW Manuka Honey | Product of New Zealand. Each batch is independently tested. Certified UMF 10+/MGO 263+ |
| Wedderspoon Raw Premium Manuka Honey | KFactor 16-MONOFLORAL Honey, Never pasteurized. Traceable back to the master beekeeper who harvested and tended the hive. 17.6 oz. (1.1 lb) |
| Honey for Healing Wound and Skincare Cream | Easy to apply. Recommended by physician. Used with excellent results on shingles. Awesome product! |
| Manukora Multifloral, Raw, New Zealand Manuka Honey | Multifloral, MGO 100+, UMF and MGO certified. Traceable from hive to hand. Upper level culinary, raw. 250g (8.8oz) |
What Is Manuka Honey Like?
The dark, creamy, amber-colored Manuka honey has been described as having a “butterscotch-like sweetness”, “pleasant bitterness”, and “woodsy”. It is full of health benefits.
Why You Should Use Manuka Honey for Skin Care
Manuka honey provides relief for:
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis
It is a wonderful home remedy for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and will keep your skin fresh and moisturized.
Honey has been used medicinally from earliest civilizations. It has been used for its antimicrobial properties and has often been used to assist in the healing of wounds.
Manuka Honey Skin Care Benefits
It is a natural product with no harmful, toxic chemicals.
Anti-aging
The first step in reducing the appearance of wrinkles is with moisture. Manuka honey is a great moisturizer to keep those fine lines and wrinkles at bay.
Board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Dendy Engelman says, “Manuka honey retains moisture without making skin oily.” It is a fabulous addition to an anti-aging skin care routine.
Acne
Acne is often caused by hormonal changes, poor diet, stress, or bacteria growth in clogged pores.
Manuka honey can help keep your skin free of bacteria. In this way, it can decrease inflammation associated with acne, and quicken the healing process.
Anti-bacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. William Kwan, Manuka honey possesses both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Manuka honey gets its antibacterial effects from the active ingredient MGO. The higher the concentration of MGO, the stronger the antibacterial effects of Manuka honey.
Antimicrobial
The active ingredient MGO gives Manuka honey its antimicrobial properties. Compared with conventional honey, Manuka honey has up to 100 times the concentration of the compound MGO.
Many countries, including the United States, have approved the use of Manuka honey in medications that aid in wound healing.
Antioxidant
Manuka honey offers antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It maintains a protective barrier to prevent the wound from becoming infected.
Many studies have shown the benefits of Manuka honey in healing wounds. It even decreases burn pain.
Eczema
Millions of people have eczema. Skin with eczema can become swollen, leathery, or flaky. Parts of the skin may become dry, red, cracked, and itchy.
Manuka honey provides safe relief for eczema.You should treat eczema with medical-grade honey. Clean your hands and the affected area. Apply a thin layer of honey to the affected area in the evening and cover with a bandage or gauze. Leave dressing in place overnight.
MGO kills harmful microorganisms that often lead to eczema rashes and other infections.
Manuka honey can moisturize and renew the skin. Manuka honey is an ingredient in some skincare products for eczema. A product like HONEY for HEALING Wound and Skincare Cream can help eliminate many skin irritations.
Moisturizing
Manuka honey is a natural humectant to moisturize dry skin.
Scars
Scars are areas of skin that has been replaced by fibrous tissue after an injury. The special compound MGO in Manuka honey allows the injury to heal much faster and more efficiently with minimal scarring.
There are some medical grade dressings made with Manuka honey. Many countries, including the United States, have approved the use of Manuka honey in medications that aid in wound healing.
Skin Rash
You can apply Manuka honey topically to skin rashes. To rule out allergies first do a 48-hour patch test on a small area of your skin.
If you do not show allergic indications, apply Manuka honey to a clean dressing and cover the affected area for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, wash the area with cool water and pat dry.
For Best Results with Manuka Honey
Manuka honey with a minimum MGO rating of 250+ and a UMF rating of 10+ or higher is recommended. It should be labeled with a UMF rating – verifying how much MGO is in the honey.
| MGO/UMF Equivalent | |
|---|---|
| MGO | UMF |
| MGO 83+ | UMF 5+ |
| MGO 250+ | UMF 10+ |
| MGO 550+ | UMF 16+ |
| MGO 850+ | UMF 20+ |
| MGO 1000+ | UMF 22+ |
What to Look for
MGO (methylglyoxal)
MGO indicates the concentration of the compound’s natural potency. As the honey ripens, the MGO content can increase. Each jar is tested and certified to natural MGO content.
UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) Trademark
UMF indicates the quality marks of purity
DHA indicates antimicrobial characteristics.
KFactor 16 indicates monofloral Manuka honey.
K Factor 12 indicates multifloral Manuka honey. It contains Manuka along with a variety of other flower sources.
High Quality or Counterfeit
New Zealand exports more than 75% of the honey it produces to at least 40 countries around the world. It is important that this honey can be trusted to be pure, authentic, and certified with the UMF quality mark on each jar. There are those who would counterfeit the high-quality Manuka honey.
MGO and UMF labels are trusted Manuka honey grading systems, and both measure MGO content. Read the label. Look for the words that say it has been produced in New Zealand.
| Honey Grades | |
|---|---|
| Certified Authentic | UMF 5+ to UMF 9+ |
| Premium Grade | UMF 10+ to UMF 15+ |
| Ultra Premium Grade | UMF 15+ to UMF 20+ and above |
| Superior Rare High Grade | UMF 24+ |
New Zealand Tests Manuka Honey to Prove It Is Authentic
Ministry for Primary Industries
Manuka Honey Skin Care Benefits
Product Reviews of the Best Manuka Honey for Skin Care
1-Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm
This Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm has a UMF of 16+ It moisturizes and creates a healthy skin microbiome. Nourishing and reinforcing the skin barrier with probiotics and royal jell peptides.
The sweet almond oil is well known to fight oxidative stress. Each ingredient is vetted and works harmoniously with your skin.
Pros:
A- Daily Facial Cleanser
B- Moisturizes and Nourishes all skin types
Cons:
A- Price
2-Comvita Certified Raw Manuka Honey, UMF 10+/MGO 263+
This 17.6 oz jar is a product of New Zealand. GENUINE MANUKA HONEY, RAW. Made from the nectar of the Manuka flower. Each batch is independently tested. Certified UMF 10+/MGO 263+.
It is TRACEABLE from hive to jar. The QR code on each jar assures you of authenticity, quality, and purity.
Pros:
A-UMF 10+/MGO 263+
B-Traceable from hive to hand.
C-Authentic – Product of New Zealand
Cons:
A-Price
3-Wedderspoon Raw Premium Manuka Honey, KFactor 16
This MONOFLORAL MANUKA HONEY has never been pasteurized. It is non-GMO, verified, traceable from hive to home. Independently tested to meet or exceed New Zealand standards.
Produced to maintain all the naturally-occurring beneficial properties and phytonutrients of this unique functional food. It is a true superfood of nature. Chock full of living enzymes & complex chemical compounds. Ready to nourish your body with its unique health and wellness properties. Boosts your immune system and great for skin care.
Pros:
A-Raw, Never Pasteurized
B-Traceable from hive to home.
C-MONOFLORAL HONEY, KFactor 16
D-High Quality, Authentic Manuka Honey
E-No Antibiotics, glyphosate, or pesticides
Cons:
A-Price
4-HONEY for HEALING Wound & Skincare Cream
This skincare cream provides fast relief for eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It is non-sticky and readily absorbed by the skin. Manuka honey is naturally anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and antibacterial. It decreases swelling and increases skin regeneration.
Recommended by a physician, with excellent results on shingles and other skin irritations – this is an awesome product!
Pros:
A-Soothing
B-Skin regeneration
C- Can help reduce swelling
D-MONOFLORAL: Purest and highest quality
E-No fillers, parabens, petroleum, phthalates, mineral oil, or antibiotics.
Cons:
A-Not much to complain about. It works well!
5-Manukora MGO 100+, Multifloral Raw Manuka Honey
This honey is Authentic non-GMO New Zealand honey. It is UMF and MGO certified, and TRACEABLE from hive to hand. This Premium Quality honey is produced in the HACCP certified honey facility in New Zealand.
Use in meals, smoothies, and hot beverages like tea. Natural and Authentic. Traceable back to their source.
Pros:
A-Natural
B-Authentic
C- MGO, UMF certified
D-Traceable – hand to hive
E-Upper-level culinary raw Manuka honey.
Cons:
A-Upper-level culinary grade, not medicinal grade
Manuka Honey FAQ’s
1-What does the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) stand for?
The UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) quality mark is the gold standard for Manuka honey certification. It provides consumers around the world with total confidence of the authenticity and potency of manuka honey as governed by the independent body, the UMF Honey Association responsible for genuine Manuka exports from New Zealand.
2-What is Glyphosate Residue?
The residue of Glyphosate, a common herbicide that is used world-wide.
In 2015 WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considered it a “probable carcinogen”. It is linked to massive numbers of bee deaths around the world, as well.
3-What does Glyphosate Residue Free certification mean?
Glyphosate Residue Free certification verifies that products do not contain Glyphosate, (the World’s most used herbicide).
Celebrities Who Love Manuka Honey
1-According to Harper’s Bazaar, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has manuka honey with her breakfast of ‘steel-cut oats with bananas or other fruit topped with Manuka honey and bee pollen, washed down with a hot water and lemon’.
2-According to the Daily Star, Glastonbury 2017, Ed Sheeran whose tour “rider” is said to keep a jar of Manuka honey to soothe his vocals.
3-Kourtney Kardashian loves its health and beauty benefits.
Additional Manuka Honey Benefits
Research shows that harmful bacteria in your mouth cause plaque and tooth decay. Manuka honey can prevent this. Chewing or sucking on a Manuka honey chew for 10 minutes after meals shows significant reduction in plaque compared with those who chew sugar-free gum.
Children under one year of age should not consume any honey. Botulism poisoning is a concern.
Conclusion
Manuka honey from New Zealand, is most noted for many extraordinary uses, from its use in anti-aging to the management of wounds. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antibacterial properties.
Manuka honey skin care benefits as a humectant to moisturize your skin and it is used in medicine to heal wounds. Moisturizing and healing are not the only benefits of Manuka honey. Look for more information in a future post.
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Disclaimer: If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. No content on this site should be substituted for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare practitioner. The information contained here is for informational purposes only. It is from my research and personal experience.
Since I was a teen, I have been taking care of my skin. It requires more attention than most other skins. But this has served me well, because I have become knowledgeable in this field. I have wanted to try Wedderspoon Raw Premium Manuka Honey for some time. I have read good reviews about it. So, now seems to be good.
Hi Ann, thanks for stopping by. It is good to take care of our skin early in life. Moisture seems to be the number one thing that it requires to plump up the skin and eliminate wrinkles. Manuka honey is a great moisturizer as well as many other health benefits it provides to our skin.