5 ways honey supports your skin by Hayley Fogarty - Naturopathic Skin Therapist

Ever since I can remember I have always been fascinated with honey. I have long since loved its unique taste and I add it into (nearly) everything I make – matcha, porridge, banana bread to name a few.

As a Naturopath and Corneotherapist (a barrier protecting skin therapist) my passion has always been to learn about what nature can provide for us in terms of healing.

Honey has been used medicinally since the early civilisations long before science could verify why. Thanks to modern science we now have a plethora of studies that support why this sweet, viscous goodness is so unbelievably powerful!

Let’s consider 5 ways honey can support the skin topically:

1) Wound healing properties

Have a burn or an open wound? Medicinal grade honey such as manuka can help to inhibit pathogen growth and reduce the risk of infection.

Not only does it help to keep the wound clean, but it also speeds up the healing process via faster epithelisation and stimulating collagen production. This in turn helps to reduce scarring.

Due to its osmotic effects if helps with the natural remove of dead tissue too!

2) Anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties

Honey helps to reduce redness, pain and swelling due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Manuka honey in particular helps to regulate the immune response within the skin which can be very helpful in skin conditions such as eczema and topical steroid withdrawal. I’ve seen some lovely results with manuka honey in my clinical experience.

It also contains antioxidant properties that helps to reduce free radicals that lead to premature ageing and reduces wrinkle formation.

3) Antibacterial and anti-fungal properties

Medicinal honey helps to regulate the pH of our skin. We need a slightly acidic pH for healthy skin. Conditions such as a barrier impaired skin, dermatitis and eczema can have a pH that is slightly alkaline. The more alkaline the skin the less it is protected against pathogens!

Manuka honey contains methylglyoxal that studies have shown to emit anti-bacterial properties such as reducing an overgrowth of staphylococcus which can be present in skin infections.

Honey can be beneficial to antibiotic resistance bacteria as bacteria don’t develop a resistance to honey. How cool is that!?

A study was conducted on patients with seborrheic dermatitis (which is an overgrowth of the Malassezia yeast on the scalp) by applying a honey hair mask nightly.

The results? Itching and scaling disappeared after one week and skin lesions were healed completely by the second week. Once a week honey mask was recommended thereafter for ongoing results.

4) Skin Barrier Support

Honey acts as a natural humectant – a substance that draws and retains moisture in the skin. This increases hydration in the skin so is great for dry and irritated skin.

I recommend a weekly at home honey mask to soothe, calm and hydrate the skin.

5) Gut loving

Ingesting medicinal honey also has shown to increase beneficial bacteria in the gut and helps to target pathogenic bacteria without interfering with good bacteria.

It also contains prebiotics, probiotics and zinc to enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria. A happy gut = happy skin.

*Special note – Not all honey is considered medicinal. Pasteurised honey has been heated to high temperatures that denatures the healing benefits. 

Use high quality, medicinal grade honey for best results.

by Hayley Fogarty - Naturopathic Skin Therapist

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or...Visit Hayley's Business SOLSTICE SKIN - BONDI website for more tips: www.solsticeskin.com.au