We all want to have clear skin, but how many of us know the best way to get there?
Is it possible that honey is a cure for acne scars? Some people say yes and some say no.
This blog post will explore both sides of the argument and give you the information you need to decide what’s best for your skin!
Can Honey Cure Acne Scars?
It’s possible! Honey is a natural antibacterial agent.
It can help to heal any open wounds and even soothes inflammation, which could be causing your acne scars in the first place – including skin that has been burned or damaged by other treatments like laser treatment for example…
Honey has a long history of being used as a natural remedy for various skin conditions.
In Egyptian times, honey was even found in the tombs of Pharaohs to preserve their mummies.
But if you want to know whether it can help with acne scars, you’re not alone!
The answer is yes and no. Honey itself cannot get rid of acne scars, but using honey as part of your routine will make them less noticeable because it exfoliates and hydrates the skin.
Plus, most people like using honey since it’s all-natural!
What Type Of Honey Is Best?
Raw honey is a good choice if you’re dealing with acne scars because it’s the most natural and can help to heal your skin.
It has antibacterial properties that also make this type of best for topical application, but be careful!
Raw Honey should not come into contact or directly touch broken capillaries on sensitive areas like around the eyes since it might aggravate the condition.
You can also consider manuka honey if you have scars that are more deep and difficult to get rid of, but it’s not as good for other parts like your face or body because its healing properties only go so far!
How Does It Work?
Honey can heal acne scars by both drawing out impurities and nourishing your skin.
The first way honey heals you, it draws the toxins from within pores on its own so that they do not continue producing bacteria or clogging up more of them when applied topically!
The healing process can also be accelerated with vitamin E oil, which is a natural antioxidant that helps your skin to heal and regenerate.
Another way honey heals you outside of the pores (aside from fighting bacteria) is by supplying moisture in an environment where there isn’t enough!
And if all this wasn’t amazing already- Honey also possesses antimicrobial properties so acne scars can be treated naturally.
Has There Been Any Research To Support This?
Yes, there have been studies where people who were given honey for acne scars saw their condition improve drastically.
One study, in particular, found that participants’ skin improved by about 50% after using the product and continuing with a maintenance regimen of one application every other day!
Research has shown us time and again how powerful this natural remedy is when it comes to healing and repairing the skin [1].
Most of the research that has been done on honey and acne scars has been small case studies that have found it to be beneficial.
There are a few larger trials, but they haven’t had enough patients or follow-up time for the results of those experiments can show an improvement like smaller ones does!
What Type Of Blemishes Can You Use It On?
You can use honey on all types of acne blemishes!
It is most effective, however when it comes to the deeper cystic type.
These are usually caused by bacteria from overgrowth in your sebaceous glands and can be painful if left untreated or improperly treated with a harsh product like benzoyl peroxide which dries out the skin.
If used as a spot treatment, honey can be applied to these deep cysts and left on overnight.
It is also said that the antibacterial properties of beeswax in raw natural unfiltered unprocessed local unpasteurized pure organic wildflower honey are what make them so effective at healing acne scars! (therefore, it’s more appropriate to use raw organic honey over bleached and processed versions)
Honey is also often used on pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads.
These types of acne are caused by a buildup in sebum that clogs pores with dead skin cells from the oil glands!
Honey’s antibacterial properties help fight this bacteria and it also dries out the skin cells which can help unclog pores!
If you have relatively few pimples, or if your acne mainly consists of whiteheads/blackheads that are not too painful to touch (and do NOT leave deep red marks), honey is a great treatment for these types.
Simply apply some raw organic honey onto the affected area and leave it for about 15 minutes, then rinse.
If you have more severe acne that is causing deep red marks such as cysts or pustules (acne vulgaris), honey alone will not be enough treatment!
In these cases try using raw organic Honey with Tea Tree Oil which also has antibacterial properties.
You should use honey as a spot treatment only, to avoid spreading anything around your face or body that you don’t want!
“Spot Treatment” means using the Honey on just one pimple at any given time and not applying it onto other areas of skin until after 24 hours has passed since application last occurred (I know that’s a lot but it’s worth the wait).
For those with oily skin, honey will be too sticky and cause more breakouts.
To avoid this just use an oil-free moisturizer after applying your Honey treatment!
Here are a few brands that have worked best for me: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion (Oil-Free), Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash (Oil-Free), Nivea Oil in Cream, and Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer.
For those with dry skin, just use a moisturizing lotion or oil before applying the Honey to prevent flaky patches!
Some of my favorite face creams are CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion (Oil-Free), Olay Complete All Day Face Cream, and Kiehls Ultra Light Daily Defense SPF 30.
Different Ways To Use Honey As An Acne Treatment
1. As A DIY Treatment
Honey has been known to help reduce acne, so it’s no surprise that many people use honey as a DIY facial.
To do this you’ll want about two tablespoons of raw organic unfiltered or unpasteurized pure 100% natural orange blossom wildflower bee-keeper grade (preferably local) and add it to a quarter-sized amount of water.
Then, mix it up until the honey dissolves and create your mask by applying liberally with fingers or using an old makeup brush for application – you can also use some cotton pads instead if desired!
Some people like just leaving this on their skin as is while others put plastic wrap over top to keep it moist for about 20 minutes.
Cleanse afterward with your favorite cleanser to remove the honey and leftover dirt from pores!
You can also mix this mask up ahead of time (just don’t add water) in a jar or glass container, making sure that you store any leftovers so they do not go bad – just cover with a tight-fitting lid and place in the fridge.
We recommend using this mask once or twice per week for the best results!
If you want your honey mask even more effective then try adding some other ingredients like rosewater (a good anti-inflammatory agent), lemon juice (a great source of vitamin C and an antioxidant), or turmeric powder(anti-inflammatory, antiseptic).
These ingredients work in different ways for the skin: Rosewater is a good anti-inflammatory agent that soothes irritated acne-prone areas.
Lemons are high in Vitamin c which helps with healing and brightening the skin.
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and also helps to lighten scars.
The mask can be left on for 15 minutes or up until you feel that it has dried off whichever comes first.
When rinsing your face, pat dry with some paper towels so not all of the honey gets washed off.
When you are done patting your face dry, use a mild gentle cleanser and rinse with cool water.
If the honey mask is too complicated to make at home then put some raw organic unrefined local Honey on top of acne scars after cleansing or just before bedtime as an overnight treatment!
You can also just use honey as a spot treatment which is perfect for people who have sensitive skin.
When you are done with the mask, take some time to massage your face and neck again so that all of those nutrients can sink in!
You should see results within one week if not sooner!!
2. As An OTC (Over The Counter Treatment)
Are you not sure if going the DIY route is for you?
There are various honey-based skincare treatments on the market.
The Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Mask (shop here) uses a proprietary blend of natural ingredients to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin while repairing collagen production, absorbing excess oil that clogs pores, fighting free radicals caused by pollution or stressors in our environment from work/school, etc., as well as delivering antioxidants deep into your skin’s cells.
If inflamed blemishes have been bugging you lately then Victoria’s Secret Pink Honey Clay Mask with Pure Honey and Mint might be just what the doctor ordered!
This mask utilizes Australian Manuka Honey which helps soothe inflammation and turmeric which encourages glowing skin.
Side Effects
Before you go out and buy honey at the store, know that there are some side effects from using honey on your face: Honey can lead to increased sensitivity in your skin which may mean more sunburns or breakouts if you’re not careful with how much time you spend outside.
The sugars in honey also have the potential to increase bacteria growth on your face which could lead to an infection or irritation.
Lastly, raw unpasteurized honey carries a risk of foodborne illness.
How Long Will It Take To See The Results?
So, you’ve been reading all about honey as a treatment for acne scars and wondering how long it will take to see any results.
Well, there’s no definite answer because everyone is different and their skin may react differently too.
It depends on the severity of your scarring but most people who use this natural remedy find that they are seeing some improvement after 3-6 months of consistent use.
When Should You Consider A Different Approach?
Many people are interested in using honey for acne scars and wonder if they should see a doctor when they don’t seem to be getting any results.
The answer is, it depends!
If you have been consistently applying the honey every day as instructed by your dermatologist then there is no need to worry.
It can take up to 3 months or longer before you start seeing any hint of improvement so just keep at it!
If however, you have not been following the instructions from your doctor or have not seen any improvements after 2-3 months then go ahead and make an appointment with a dermatologist near you.
They will be able to provide further instruction on how best to use the honey and also give advice on what other treatments may work better for you.
Alternatives
Do you have acne scars that just won’t seem to disappear?
If so, there are natural alternatives to honey for acne scars.
One of the most common ingredients in these types of products is Vitamin E.
This ingredient can be found in a variety of different forms like capsules, oil, and lotion.
The beauty of Vitamin E is that it promotes healthy skin cells while reducing scar tissue formation and size.
Another popular product people use as an alternative to honey for acne scars is cocoa butter which contains oleic acid – this component helps with collagen production which will make your skin stronger and healthier looking over time!
Check out this post for more such remedies.
Takeaway
HONEY WORKS FOR ACNE SCARS!
It’s not all about acne either- honey heals just as well for eczema, psoriasis, or any other type of dry/sensitive condition you might have on your face that is begging (and crying) out for relief.
Pick up a jar today and give it a chance to work its magic on your skin!
Dosage: Apply honey with fingers or cotton ball, leave for 15 minutes then rinse off completely.
Warning: Honey is not recommended if you are allergic/sensitive to bee stings.
Also, avoid applying around the mouth area as this could lead to an allergic reaction.
Honey is a perfect solution for acne scars as it has been shown in research not only heals but also fades away the imperfection of skin left behind after years and numerous rounds with various types of treatments.