Manuka honey is my new alternative to pimple gel. I usually use aloe vera gel to soothe the spot, but I've found that manuka honey is more effective and heals the spot at a faster rate. I'd just dab it on the targeted area and leave it as a mask. I was surprised to see a significant reduction in the redness and size of the spot in 2-3 days. It also helped the healing process my spots without leaving scars.

When I recommended its benefits to my friends, I was asked if ordinary honey works the same as well. The fact is that all honey have some levels of healing properties. The differences between manuka honey and ordinary honey are:

1. Bees produce manuka honey uisng the nectar of Manuka flower which has more healing properties than other honey.

2. Manuka honey is raw and unprocessed. Most ordinary ones are heated and pasteurised to make it flow more easily through tubes during the packaging process. The heat will destroy most of the healing properties of the honey.

3. Manuka honey also contains more vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.

The benefits:

Manuka honey has antibacterial and  anti-inflammatory properties which makes it effective for healing infected wounds, burns, eczema, psoriasis, ringworm (and other fungal infections), acne, MRSA Staph infections.

It also works as a humectant, which draws moisture from the atmosphere to the skin. In terms of anti aging, it is found to increase collagen fibres production and elasticity of the skin. It also protects the skin from free radicals which is a cause of skin aging.

How to choose the best Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey has its own Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating and this value ranges from between 0-30. The higher the rating, the higher the antibacterial potency. However, a UMF above 16 may cause skin sentisivity. Thus, the best UMF rating 0-16 is more preferred for medicinal use. The best manuka honey should also be 100% raw and unprocessed with a creamy taste.

DIY application:

If you are using Manuka Honey to fight acne, it will be best to apply on the targeted area before sleeping. Leave it overnight and rinse off with lukewarm water the next morning.

To make your own moisturising facial, you can mix manuka honey, milk and oatmeal, and leave on the skin for 15-20 mins. Then rinse off with lukewarm water.


Enjoy the sweet indulgence! =)