Published on February 4th, 2010 | by Jennifer Lance

Natural Beauty: Homemade Honey Mask for Problem Skin

If you suffer from skin problems, you have probably spent a lot of money trying different products, both natural and chemical, that promise relief. Whether you complexion problems are mild and occasional or more severe acne, there’s a simple solution in your kitchen pantry. Honey!

Photo by austinevan

Honey's properties make it an ideal natural treatment for problem skin

Honey has amazing properties that make it perfect for the sensitive skin of the face. Benefits-of-honey.com describes the “three key valuable honey properties” as a source of antioxidants, antibacterial, and hygroscopic. Hygroscopic means “when exposed to air, it naturally absorbs moisture in from the air.”

There are many different recipes for honey masks for all skin types, some using avocados or cinnamon in combination with the golden liquid. All you really need is raw, organic honey for the best results. Simply apply to dry or lightly dampened skin and leave on for 15 to 60 minutes, rinse with warm water, and be amazed by the results. I noticed a difference in clarity and even skin tone the first time I tried a honey mask. Subsequent daily masks healed an ugly blemish faster than any other product or nature alone could do.

What makes honey such a great facial product? According to Skinacea:

Honey is a natural antiseptic and many people use it as mask to help soothe and heal their skin. However, if you are allergic to bees, it’s probably not a good idea to use this mask!

Honey is superb for healing burns and small cuts. It’s also a humectant, which means it helps keep your skin moisturized. Because of all of these amazing qualities, honey is thought of to treat acne. I mean, it’s antibacterial, it helps with wound healing, and it even keeps your skin hydrated!

Both natural and chemical face products designed for problem skin leave the face feeling taught and dried out. A honey mask leaves the skin feeling soft and luxurious, and it is a little addicting. Honey can also be used as a spot treatment for pimples.

Although any type of honey will work, and I advocate buying locally produced nectar, experts suggest Manuka honey is the best for facial masks. Manuka Honey USA explains:

Manuka Honey is pure, raw, natural, un-pasteurized, organic honey collected from the flower to the wild, un-cultivated Tea Tree Bush (leptospermum scoparium) in New Zealand. Manuka Honey has been cold slung (cold slung = extracted from the comb without heating) is creamy and tastes deliciously unique.

Whether you have problem skin or not, honey masks have also been touted for their anti-aging properties. It’s a fun mask to wear, and you just might find your loved one kissing your sweet face while you wear this natural beauty remedy.