You may have heard of Manuka honey, seen it in supermarkets, and balked at the expense. Or read about it being an excellent ingredient for homemade face or hair masks. So, what’s the scoop on this expensive honey that seems to have everyone in the beauty business buzzing?
Manuka honey has unique botanical properties that help feed the skin the nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy. This honey is a fantastic choice if you want to care for your skin and hair with natural ingredients!
What is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is a rich, dark, and luscious monofloral honey from the flowering Manuka tree, Leptospermum scoparium.
Manuka honey is expensive because the flowers of the Manuka tree bloom for only 2-6 weeks a year in the pristine forests of New Zealand and Australia. Bees collecting nectar turn it into honey, revered for its unique antibacterial and anti-microbial properties.
These unique properties and resulting benefits have made Manuka honey a sought-after product for health and wellness and a cult beauty favorite. Many beauty creams, lotions, and hair products from New Zealand and Australia contain this ‘liquid gold.’
What Are The Benefits Of Manuka Honey For Beauty?
The health benefits of plants are due to their fantastic plant properties; these often have topical benefits, too, and Manuka Honey is no exception. Delicious to eat, this honey is healing, soothing, and medicinal to the body inside and out. Manuka Honey is;
- Highly emollient
- Anti-inflammatory
- Humectant
- Antioxidant–rich
These properties make Manuka honey a fantastic ingredient for putting on the skin and hair and using in homemade DIY treatments and remedies. The properties that make it beneficial for healing wounds and boosting immunity are also known to give your skin and hair a lustrous glow.
Manuka honey is undoubtedly more expensive than other kinds that you typically buy. Still, its unique properties in healing make it comparable to buying a jar of face cream. It is also multi-purpose in that you can eat it for added health benefits!
When you choose a jar of Manuka honey, you will notice it contains a UMF number. Understanding this number will help you choose the right honey, depending on your use.
What Does The UMF Number On Manuka Honey Mean?
Mauka honey has a particular unique manuka factor. This UMF number, a globally recognized standard, will be displayed on the label and let you understand its recommended uses due to its potency and purity.
Manuka Flowers and their nectar contain dihydroxyacetone DHA. Bees convert this to MGO, Methylglyoxal. Along with Leptosperin, these comprise the three signature compounds that give Manuka honey its UMF number.
You will see the UMF number on jars of genuine Manuka Honey, which makes Manuka honey so highly prized.
- UMF 5+, [ MGO 80+] think eating or drinking it, or a simple face wash.
New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey MGO 83+ | UMF 5+, UMF Certified / 17.6oz
This UMF 5+ honey is delicious and boosts energy, health, and wellness. Use this one for a simple face wash.
- UMF 10+, [MGO 263+] for more targeted use, a sore throat, or irritated, aggravated skin.
Comvita Certified UMF 10+ (MGO 263+) Raw Manuka Honey, Non-GMO Superfood, 17.6 oz.
This honey is excellent as a morning wellness ritual, pre-workout natural energy source, or DIY skin-brightening facemask, especially if you have irritated skin.
- UMF 15+, [MGO 514+] Targeted skin conditions.
New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey UMF 15+ | MGO 514+, UMF Certified / 8.8oz
This UMF 15+ is perfect for adding to many foods, wellness shakes, and drinks. It is also great for natural skincare!
- UMF 20+ [MGO 829+] is Helpful for more severe skin conditions, burns, or wounds.
New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey UMF 20+ | MGO 829+, UMF Certified / 8.8oz
Use this honey for its unique healing properties and apply it directly to the skin to assist recovery.
Please always get a medical consultation for advice on using honey for medical conditions.
The Benefits Of Manuka Honey For Troubled Skin.
Manuka honey is easy to use for skin care; it is versatile, has many healing benefits, and is as simple as applying it to your face.
Manuka honey’s potent benefits include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-microbial properties that balance bacteria on the skin, making it an excellent face wash or an ingredient in DIY face mask recipes.
Manuka Honey DIY Face Wash.
Make a simple fash wash, use a teaspoon of honey, and dilute enough water to make it pliable. Apply to the face as you would a cleanser. You can wash it off straight away or leave it for 5-10 minutes to work its magic.
Manuka Honey DIY Face Masks.
Make simple face masks using Manuka honey. It is very soothing to the skin and helpful in clearing and calming acne, pimples, or other aggravated skin conditions.
Apply a thin layer of Mauka honey and leave for up to ten minutes before rinsing off. Focus on the problem areas of the skin. You can do this treatment daily.
Use these recipes using raw honey and substitute with Manuka honey!
Studies on honey show that its antibacterial properties inhibit the growth of p.acnes and s.acnes that cause acne.
We love this for troubled skin;
ANTIPODES Aura Manuka Honey Mask – Hydrating face mask targeting blemishes and breakouts with Manuka honey, a superfood.
The ant-oxidants in Manuka honey also help soothe eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. The regenerative and exfoliating properties of Manuka honey help sore, troubled skin heal. It is also excellent for the complexion to regain a smoother tone, texture, and glow.
The Benefits And Uses Of Manuka Honey For Hair.
If you want smooth, glossy hair with incredible shine, now is the time to add honey to your homemade hair masks.
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are excellent for scalp health, while the humectant qualities will draw moisture to your hair and relieve dryness.
Manuka honey is the perfect natural ingredient to give your hair some shine and gloss if you struggle with dry, frizzy, or unmanageable hair. Here are some tips on how to use it;
DIY Hair Remedies Using Manuka Honey!
- Make simple homemade hair mask recipes with honey. Try mashing half a banana or avocado with a teaspoon of Manuka honey. Mix with Coconut milk or cream to the perfect consistency, and apply to hair.
- Add Manuka and honey to commercial hair masks and shampoos. Or conditioners for an extra boost.
- Dissolve Manuka honey in hot water before using it as a hair rinse and before you condition or wash the hair.
- Mix Manuka and honey into hot oil treatments for an overnight hair mask.
Try this;
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque, with African Rock Fig and Baobab Oil.
Manuka Honey is unique, and the cost is worth the fantastic health, well-being, and beauty benefits. Look for beauty products with this ingredient, or make your own!
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, not affecting your sales.
Glowitgreen.com is a member of the Amazon affiliate program.
