Honey in Skincare: Benefits, Uses, and How to Add It to Your DIY Routine

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What Is Honey in Skincare?

Honey is a natural humectant made by honey bees from flower nectar. In skincare it draws water to the skin's surface and holds it there, so skin looks plumper and feels softer, and it adds a gentle, conditioning feel to masks, cleansers, balms, and creams. Its natural acids, enzymes, and antioxidant compounds are why it has been part of beauty routines for thousands of years.

EWG Skin Deep score for honey EWG Skin Deep rating for honey

On a label, honey appears as Mel, its INCI name. Raw and manuka honeys are popular choices because they are less processed, while honey powder is easier to formulate with in lotions.

Quick Facts

INCI name Mel (honey); Mel Powder or Honey Powder for dried forms
Common names Raw honey, manuka honey, acacia honey, honey powder
Source Honey bees (Apis mellifera) from flower nectar
Form Thick liquid or crystallized solid; also a free-flowing powder
Solubility Water soluble; add to the water phase
Typical usage rate 1% to 10% in cosmetics; 0.5% to 5% in creams and emulsions; 10% to 15% in anhydrous ointments and balms (Burlando and Cornara review). At least 2% for a skin care effect (supplier guidance)
Main compounds Fructose and glucose, gluconic acid, enzymes including glucose oxidase, amino acids, phenolic antioxidants
pH Mildly acidic
Skin types Dry, normal, combination, dull, and mature skin; avoid with a bee product allergy

How Honey Works on the Skin

Moisture binding

Honey is a supersaturated solution of fructose and glucose. Those sugars are humectants: they attract water to the outer layer of skin, the same mechanism behind glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Skin looks more hydrated and feels supple right after use.

A clean, balanced feel

Honey's main organic acid, gluconic acid, keeps it mildly acidic, close to the skin's own slightly acidic surface. In undiluted honey, an enzyme called glucose oxidase slowly releases small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, and the low water content keeps bacteria from growing. That is part of why honey masks leave skin feeling clean and fresh.

Antioxidant compounds

Raw honey contains phenolic compounds that neutralize free radicals in lab tests.

What the research measured

  • In a 2024 study in the journal Pharmaceuticals (Suwiński and Nowak), 23 volunteers applied hand creams with 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% honey twice daily for four weeks, with a different cream on each hand. Skin hydration rose 29.7% with the 15% honey cream compared with 10.6% with the honey-free cream, and the hydration effect grew with honey concentration. The 5% cream improved measured skin smoothness by 21.3%. The study was small and was funded by the cream's manufacturer.
  • A 2013 review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Burlando and Cornara) classes honey as an emollient, humectant, and moisturizer, reports typical cosmetic use at 1% to 10%, and notes that well-controlled clinical trials on honey cosmetics are still lacking.

How to Use Honey in DIY Formulas

  • Masks. Raw honey can be used on its own as a rinse-off mask. Apply a thin layer to clean, slightly damp skin, leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.
  • Creams and lotions. Add honey or honey powder to the water phase at up to 5%, the top of the range for emulsions. Higher amounts feel sticky. Honey powder dissolves easily and is less tacky than liquid honey.
  • Balms and ointments. Liquid honey separates out of oil-only formulas unless you add an emulsifier. With one, balms can carry 10% to 15%.
  • Heat. Honey's enzymes are heat sensitive. Add it in the cool-down phase, below 40°C (104°F), when you want to keep them.
  • Preserve. Honey protects itself only while it is concentrated. Once diluted with water, it becomes food for microbes, so any water-based honey product needs a broad-spectrum preservative.

Quick honey and oat mask

  • 1 tablespoon raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon finely ground colloidal oatmeal

Stir together, apply to clean skin for 10 to 15 minutes, and rinse. Make it fresh each time.

Who Honey Suits

Honey suits dry, dull, normal, and combination skin, and it is a popular choice for mature skin that wants a dewy look. It is not suitable for people allergic to bees, pollen, propolis, or royal jelly, since bee proteins and pollen in honey can cause reactions. If you have sensitive skin, patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours first and start at the lowest rate (0.5% in a cream, or a short 5-minute mask), then work up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does honey do for your skin?

Honey is a humectant that pulls water into the skin's surface, so skin looks plumper and feels softer. It also brings natural acids and antioxidant compounds that leave skin feeling clean and looking radiant. In one four-week study, a 15% honey cream raised measured skin hydration by 29.7%.

Can I put raw honey on my face every day?

Most people can use a short honey mask a few times a week, and some use it daily as a gentle cleanser. Rinse it off thoroughly so it does not feel sticky. Patch test first, and skip it if you are allergic to bee products.

How long should I leave honey on my face?

Ten to fifteen minutes is enough for a honey mask. Apply it to slightly damp skin, relax, and rinse with warm water. Longer does not add much benefit.

Is manuka honey better for skin than regular honey?

Manuka honey, from the manuka tree of New Zealand and Australia, has its own distinct composition and a premium reputation in skincare. For moisture binding, any raw honey works well. Choose manuka if you want a richer, premium honey in a balm or mask.

Does honey clog pores?

Honey is water soluble and rinses away cleanly, so it is not known for clogging pores. It is often used in masks for oily and combination skin. As with any new product, patch test first.

Can honey brighten the look of dark spots?

Honey can give skin a brighter, more radiant look by boosting hydration, but it is not a concentrated brightening active. For a more even look, pair honey masks with ingredients such as vitamin C or alpha arbutin.

Shop and Learn More

The Glow Up Whipped Tallow Balm pairs 100% grass-fed beef tallow with manuka honey for a rich, satin-finish moisturizer for face and body. For a deeper look at the manuka variety, read Benefits of Manuka Honey for Skin, and see our glossary entries on oatmeal and beeswax.

Sources

  • Suwiński G, Nowak I. Innovative Honey-Based Product and Its Beneficial Effects Measured by Modern Biophysical and Imaging Skin Techniques. Pharmaceuticals. 2024;17(12):1709. doi:10.3390/ph17121709. DOI
  • Burlando B, Cornara L. Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2013;12:306-313. Full text (PDF)

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.