What’s the Hype with Manuka Honey Skin Care?
It’s a pretty common denominator that the stress you experience in life shows up on your face. Stress acne, premature wrinkles, and fine lines, dry skin, inflammation…you name it, and all of us will undoubtedly deduce that it was caused by some form of stress. Add in major life changes, lack of sleep and a less-than-perfect diet and that will take a toll on anyone’s emotional and mental wellbeing! Physically, the stresses typically manifest in a lackluster complexion, facial dryness and breakouts the caliber of which we haven’t seen since our early teens.
Is that ringing any bells? (We thought so.)
Why Manuka Honey is Great for Your Skin
While there are many ways to destress and find a good balance with your schedule and responsibilities, how can you tackle handling your skin? Rather than slathering on chemical-laden products to treat stressed skin, there’s a natural route and it begins and ends with manuka honey TLC for my skin! If you’re looking for your skin to calm down then anyone experiencing skin issues should incorporate manuka honey into your skin care regimen.
Here’s a breakdown of manuka honey for skin care that everyone should know about:
- What is it?
Manuka honey is produced by bees that feed on the manuka shrub of New Zealand’s remote North Island. Though all raw, unheated kinds of honey have health benefits, manuka has been found to have higher therapeutic properties than other varieties. It’s been known to protect skin with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties!
- Why raw?
The difference between raw and regular honey is that raw honey hasn't been processed. When honey is "processed," it's heated, or pasteurized, in order to achieve the golden, syrupy look we’re accustomed to. But, like other pasteurized foods, honey loses a lot of its beneficial nutrients when exposed to heat high enough to kill potentially harmful bacteria. Alternatively, raw honey is packed with vitamins B, C, and live enzymes – an added bonus for manuka honey is its antioxidant and amino acid content.
- What does it do?
Heals acne: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, manuka honey reduces redness and heals congested or inflamed skin and eczema. Additionally, Manuka oxygenates pores to draw out bacteria, drastically improving acne-prone areas.
- Repairs skin: Manuka promotes skin regeneration, repairs cellular damage and lessens scarring.
- Hydrates: When applied to your skin, manuka will hold in moisture and absorb moisture from the air for a dewy, glowing complexion.
- Anti-aging: Because of its moisturizing properties, manuka retains moisture without making skin oily, the first step in wrinkle-free skin. It also inhibits MMP, a group of enzymes that destroy collagen.
This honey can literally do it all.
- How should I use it?
Mask: My favorite way to use manuka is to mix it with cinnamon and apply it as a mask. Steam your skin, pay dry and apply a thin layer of manuka blended with a pinch of cinnamon. Leave on for 20 minutes and gently wipe off. Close pores after by rinsing with cold water. Use the same mixture as a spot treatment and leave on overnight to see blemishes disappear.
Cleanser: Add a few drops of hot water to a quarter-sized dollop of manuka and cleanse massage around your entire face for three minutes (make sure you're not wearing any makeup). Gently wipe off with a washcloth or sponge for extra exfoliation. (Or find a less messy alternative with a manuka honey face wash.)
Dark spot treatment: To fade acne scars, brighten and resurface the skin, mix a quarter-sized dollop of manuka, fresh-squeezed lemon and a teaspoon of organic cane sugar. Massage mask into steamed skin and allow the mixture to work its magic for 20 minutes. Rinse and close pores with cool water. (There’s also serums with manuka honey that you can include into your skin care regimen.)
- What should I look for?
Manuka honey is often graded as "12+ or "16+," which indicates its concentration of beneficial compounds and antioxidants, so the higher the number, the stronger the antibiotic effect.
Manuka Honey Skin Care
Now, while using raw manuka honey for DIY skin care is a major bonus, it’s certainly not very practical. So how can you utilize the incredible and plethora of benefits without the sticky jar sitting on your bathroom counter? Easy! Wild Naturals created a full line of manuka honey face, body, and hair care products rich in the golden nectar!
With a handful of other remarkable natural ingredients to back it up, including shea butter, coconut oil, and hemp seed oil, Wild Naturals Manuka Honey Face Cream is everything your stressed skin needs and more. For any skin problems, this is the brand to buy. Shop the online store today and discover it for yourself!
