Why is Manuka Honey So Good for Relieving Eczema?
MANUKA HONEY
TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Antibacterial/antiviral/anti-fungal, as well as an anti-inflammatory and humectant
MAIN BENEFITS: Aids in wound healing due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties; draws in moisture to the skin, and can soothe irritated skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
WHO SHOULD USE IT: Anyone looking for hydrating and soothing benefits; manuka honey may also be beneficial for those with eczema and acne.
HOW OFTEN CAN YOU USE IT: It can be used once or twice daily.
WORKS WELL WITH: Manuka honey works synergistically with other antibiotic ingredients, as well other wound-healing ingredients. It also works well when combined with other hydrating ingredients—such as shea butter and glycerin—to moisturize the skin.
DON’T USE WITH: There are no specific ingredients known to have a negative interaction with manuka honey at the moment, though, to be safe, it's best to not pair it with potent active ingredients (think retinoids or acids).
What Is Manuka Honey?
Breaking news, not all types of honey are created equal (it's why if you go to the grocery store, you'll find a variety of different colored jars of honey on the shelf, all with a slightly different flavor). Manuka honey is produced by honey bees that feed on the manuka tree in New Zealand. (They're also found in certain parts of Australia). This is important because it's what gives manuka honey its most defining characteristic, namely strong antibacterial properties.
Most honey derives its antibacterial nature from hydrogen peroxide, but the manuka variety is unique in that it contains both hydrogen peroxide and another component called methylglyoxal: The nectar of manuka flowers contains a large quantity of a substance called dihydroxyacetone, which is then converted into methylglyoxal.
The higher the concentration of methylglyoxal, the more antibacterial the manuka honey is.
There's even a rating scale known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), which measures the potency of the methylglyoxal and how antibacterial the honey is. Fraudulent manuka honey can be found on the market (Trader Joes was slapped with a class-action lawsuit for labeling their honey as 100 percent pure despite it only testing between 57.3 and 62.6 percent manuka honey), so it's important to check for the UMF labeling, which denotes that the company must have a license and follow the set rules and regulations to guarantee authenticity to the customer.
Given its antimicrobial content, it should come as no surprise that manuka honey is noteworthy for treating wounds, burns, and lesions, both in ancient times and today. There are even manuka honey dressings pre-made for wounds. It should be used as a medical treatment. But the benefits don't stop there: It's also a great anti-inflammatory ingredient, and anecdotally reported to be beneficial for other issues such as acne and eczema. It also acts as a humectant, and as such is great for moisturization purposes as well.
Benefits of Manuka Honey for Skin
This particular type of honey delivers a variety of benefits for skin, addressing everything from medical to cosmetic issues.
Has strong antibacterial properties: Because manuka honey contains both hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal, it's potent against a variety of bacteria. In fact, it's even been shown to have antibacterial effects on E.coli and as well as MRSA, though she adds that more research must be done to conclusively confirm which bacteria it can effectively combat.
Promotes wound healing: Manuka honey recruits the correct type of cells, known as fibroblasts, needed to help wounds heal. Aside from that, it also creates a moist environment and a protective barrier to speed up healing.
Fades scars: As it contains trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide, honey is thought to have mild lightening properties, so it could help lighten hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
Soothes eczema: Raw honey has been shown to help aid several conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis.
Could help decrease pain: Its healing properties mean manuka honey is often used to treat wounds, burns, and ulcers. There were even a few studies that showed manuka honey decreased pain.
Is an effective anti-inflammatory: The anti-inflammatory properties of manuka honey have not been matched in honey derived from other species of bees. This is beneficial not only for the aforementioned medical issues but also for other conditions such as acne and eczema.
Offers antioxidant protection: Manuka honey may down-regulate skin-damaging reactive oxygen species (caused by exposure to free radicals), making it beneficial for anti-aging purposes.
Draws moisture to the skin: Manuka honey is a natural humectant due to its sugar component, meaning it helps draw in and retain moisture in the skin. This makes it a useful ingredient in moisturizers and emollients.
How to Use It
Medical purposes aside, utilize manuka honey for its hydrating, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Look for it in a cleanser, cream, or mask, all of which can be used daily! Shop Wild Naturals for an entire line of skin care and hair products featuring manuka honey!
