Manuka Honey for Skin Health: Natural Support for Redness, Acne & More
- Ellen Winnett
- Jun 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Discover the therapeutic benefits of Manuka honey, a functional food for skin health, from antimicrobial action to natural anti-inflammatories.
Manuka honey 🍯
It’s more than a natural sweetener - it’s one of nature’s most remarkable functional foods.
Prized for its antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activity, Manuka honey is a uniquely medicinal pot of deeply coloured and flavoured honey that stands apart from ordinary honeys. With a long history in traditional medicine and growing scientific interest, this golden-coloured syrup offers natural support for immune health, skin healing, and microbiome balance.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so special.
Where does Manuka honey come from? 🌿
This special honey is made by bees who pollinate flowers of the ✨Leptospermum scoparium ✨ plant - commonly known as the Manuka tree. These flowers are native to New Zealand and south-east Australia.
These unique botanical origins are the key to Manuka’s medicinal activity, particularly its signature compound: Methylglyoxal (MGO).
Maybe you've seen "MGO" on the label? 🔬
MGO is short-hand for "Methylglyoxal". It's the active compound in Manuka honey responsible for most of Manuka honey's antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. The higher the MGO rating, the stronger the honey's antimicrobial properties. A high MGO content is what makes Manuka honey truly remarkable!
Clinical Pearl: While regular honey relies of hydrogen peroxide for antimicrobial action, Manuka’s potent activity remains stable even when exposed to heat and light, making it more resilient for real, everyday uses (like adding to warm water to sip on).
Manuka honey also contains natural enzymes, a low moisture content, and acidity, which together creates an environment where bacteria, viruses, and fungi can’t thrive.
You may have also seen "UMF" on the label... this is the Unique Manuka Factor. It measures MGO and other compounds to contribute to this honey's overall therapeutic potential.
UMF 10+ is considered therapeutic
UMF 15+ to 20+ is typically used clinically (for wound healing and anti-bacterial activity)
Sweet Medicine: History of Honey 📜
Honey has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Incredibly, honey never spoils! Archaeologists have discovered perfectly edible pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs.
Manuka honey for skin health 🧖
As a Clinical Nutritionist, I'm especially interested in the skin-gut-immune system connections, and Manuka honey supports all three.
Topically, Manuka honey can help with:
Acne and breakouts, due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Red, irritated or reactive skin, by calming inflammation and supporting barrier repair
Would healing, one of the most cherished and ancient uses of Manuka honey - including blemishes and chronic skin conditions like eczema.
Manuka honey is rich is so many compounds beyond MGO ~ including quercetin and other flavonoids. By applying Manuka honey to the skin, these antioxidants are delivered to target areas, along with trace minerals like magnesium and potassium to support immune function, wound care, and to nourish the skin from the outside in.
My favourite honey-infused products ✨
If the idea of slathering raw Manuka honey on your face feels a little too sticky, don’t worry—skincare formulators around the world have harnessed the benefits of potent local honey in beautifully crafted products. If you're after topical products that incorporate thoughtfully sourced honey, two of my all time favourites are:
🌿 May Lindstrom The Honey Mud – a silky, enzymatic cleanser and mask hybrid
Combining raw honey with silver, exfoliating acids, white halloysite clay, and aromatic plant oils, The Honey Mud is a true skin food. It has always helped me speed up skin recovery, getting me past the breakout cycle of acne and into healing mode much faster, and leaves my skin so soft. Not to mention it physically transforms the texture of my skin, leaving my face feeling soft for days afterwards.
🌿 Lepaar Golden Age Honey Mask – a deeply nourishing and gently resurfacing mask.
Raw and wild-crafted 'post brood' honey from the Blue Mountains combines with sun-infused whole plant extracts (infused into biodynamic olive oil), including saffron, vanilla and myrrh, along with 24 karat gold.
This is my go-to acne spot-treatment for taming red, inflamed spots overnight. After applying the night before, I would wake with a flatter and far less-inflamed spot.
Immune System Ally 🛡️
Manuka honey has been famously used to help soothe a sore throat.
With its antibacterial and antioxidant actions, Manuka honey can support the immune system, and provide a little boost of enzymes, polyphenols and trace nutrients.
For therapeutic benefit, look for a Manuka honey with a certified MGO rating.
I take a small spoonful at a time if I feel inflammation and soreness in my throat.
How I use honey:
Make it accessible: I get a jar of Manuka honey from my local honey producers or health food store at the beginning of wintertime to help with seasonal immune support
Make it delicious: I mix it into a warm mug of tea, or pour it over porridge
Make it easy: I slowly consume a teaspoon on its own
Make it skin-care: I use honey in The Honey Mud or Golden Age mask, or spot treat with Manuka honey itself
On a recent trip to the Mornington Peninsula, I picked up a fresh little jar, and was reminded just how extraordinary this deep golden honey is.
Considerations 💛
Monitor blood sugar response.
High UMF or MGO honey is expensive - I use a Manuka honey with an MGO rating of 210+ mg/kg very sparingly when my body calls for it.
Honey is a masterpiece from nature 🐝
To make just one 500 gram jar, bees can visit millions of flowers!
Whether you're supporting skin healing, calming inflammation, or soothing a sore throat, I see Manuka honey as a beautifully versatile "kitchen remedy", backed by both ancient wisdom and modern science.
It's one of nature's most generous gifts, and a little goes a long way. 🐝
References:
Disclaimer
The information in this article is designed for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner for specific advice tailored to your situation and do not rely on any information in this article or on this website, or any external websites this article or website links to. This article is not sponsored, all links to external products are for sharing purposes only and Health Connection is not affiliated with these businesses.
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