The benefits of mānuka honey for skin
Not just a sweet addition to your toast or tea, honey is also a very effective topical skincare ingredient. Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits of manuka honey for skin.
The history of mānuka honey in skincare
Mānuka honey is a winner in topical skincare. Found only in New Zealand, this superfood is renowned for its health-giving benefits and skin-enhancing properties. The antioxidant-rich ingredient works to nourish, rejuvenate and revitalise skin.
What are the benefits of mānuka honey for skin?
1. EXFOLIATING
One of the key benefits of mānuka honey is that when it’s applied to the skin, it helps to exfoliate the surface, scrubbing away dead skin cells and unclogging pores, revealing a smooth, clear complexion.
2. HYDRATING
Mānuka honey is a natural skincare saviour for dehydrated skin, working to hydrate and nourish for a radiant, glowing complexion.
Gentle on sensitive skin, this special honey is a natural humectant, which means it naturally moisturises, drawing moisture to the skin’s surface and helping with moisturise retention for soft, supple skin.
Discover the moisturising benefits of manuka honey with our Harmony Hyaluronic Manuka Honey Night Cream 60ml . Boasting naturally-sourced hyaluronic acid and mānuka honey. A luscious yet light moisturiser enriched with a double dose of natural hydration for your softest-ever skin.
3. HEALING
For those with acne-prone or inflamed skin, using manuka honey, which has anti-inflammatory properties, can help to soothe and calm irritation, as well as relieve redness.
Try the Aura Manuka Honey Mask. Particularly effective on blemish-prone skin, it is formulated with anti-bacterial manuka honey from New Zealand and Pohutukawa bloom extract to powerfully detox skin, keeping it fresh and blemish-free.
4. EVENING OUT SKIN TONE
Mānuka honey has restorative properties that promote skin cell regeneration and repair cellular damage. Not only can this natural ingredient help to reduce blemishes, it can also minimize the appearance of scars.
5. ANTI-AGEING
Packed full of vitamins, live enzymes and antioxidants, manuka honey works to neutralise free radicals that are responsible for skin cell damage. It’s also been shown to promote the structural growth of collagen skin cells for firm, youthful-looking skin. That's why it's a hero ingredient in our Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream, which has been scientifically shown in-vitro to stimulate collagen by up to 92%.
Recommended products
Replenish lost moisture and foster a fresh complexion with this luxuriously creamy face mask.
under-nourished skin
Quench dehydrated skin and foster a fresh, dewy appearance with this silky-light hyaluronic serum.
dehydration
Infuse thirsty skin with hydration and promote a dewy complexion with this hyaluronic gel moisturiser.
dehydration
Immerse skin in hydration as you sleep with this luscious-yet-light hyaluronic moisturiser.
dehydration
Replenish lost moisture and foster a fresh complexion with this luxuriously creamy face mask.
under-nourished skin
Quench dehydrated skin and foster a fresh, dewy appearance with this silky-light hyaluronic serum.
dehydration
Infuse thirsty skin with hydration and promote a dewy complexion with this hyaluronic gel moisturiser.
dehydration
Immerse skin in hydration as you sleep with this luscious-yet-light hyaluronic moisturiser.
dehydration
MĀNUKA HONEY SKINCARE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Antipodes mānuka honey sustainably sourced?
Antipodes sources mānuka honey from ethical New Zealand beekeepers such as Grafters Honey, the next-door neighbours of Antipodes founder Elizabeth Barbalich. These beekeepers practise responsible beekeeping and work in harmony with the local ecosystem.
You can read more here: Why Is Sustainable Beekeeping So Important?
What is mānuka honey and why is it good for skin?
Mānuka honey is a rare honey made by bees that pollinate the mānuka tree, which grows in New Zealand. In skincare, it’s loved for its ability to hydrate, soothe and support healthy-looking skin.
You can learn more here: The Skincare Benefits of Mānuka Honey
What does MGO mean in mānuka honey skincare?
MGO stands for methylglyoxal, a naturally occurring compound found in mānuka honey. It’s responsible for the honey’s antibacterial activity. The higher the MGO level, the stronger these properties are, which is why high-quality mānuka honey is often used in premium skincare products.
What makes New Zealand mānuka honey different from regular honey?
While all honey helps moisturise the skin, mānuka honey also has natural antibacterial and soothing properties. This is why it’s widely used in skincare designed to help support clear, calm and balanced skin.
Can mānuka honey help with acne-prone skin?
Mānuka honey is often included in skincare designed for blemish-prone skin because of its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help support a balanced skin environment.
Is mānuka honey skincare suitable for sensitive skin?
Mānuka honey is widely used in skincare formulations for sensitive skin because of its naturally soothing properties. Its anti-inflammatory activity can help calm the appearance of redness and irritation while delivering gentle hydration, making it a comforting ingredient for skin that feels stressed or reactive.
Where can I buy mānuka honey skincare?
Antipodes mānuka honey skincare products are available through the Antipodes website as well as selected pharmacies, beauty retailers, health retailers, and department stores.