In today’s post, I’ll introduce you to one of the superheroes I use as part of my skincare protocol in my anti-acne programs. This is Manuka honey – an essential and mandatory step in the cosmetic protocol.
I’m Ivayla Yankova, a Holistic Acne Therapist. I help women, young girls, and men heal their skin from acne in a sustainable way.
1. It is a proven antibacterial agent with a broad spectrum of action.
Manuka honey contains methylglyoxal (MGO) in concentrations 100 times higher than other types of honey, making it truly unique and significantly different. Manuka honey has the ability to destroy even antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA.
The benefits of this healing honey have been known since ancient times and are widely researched to this day – it helps to destroy over 60 types of bacteria. This means that Manuka honey can help eliminate the bacteria that cause acne. Although a specific study on the bacteria (P. acnes) has not been conducted, we witness daily in our anti-acne program the wonders that Manuka honey works for my clients with acne.
2. Manuka honey helps heal wounds
Acne-prone skin is damaged skin, with tissue tears, and we need to strengthen its regenerative abilities daily. This is important both due to the compromised epidermal barrier and the presence of pustules and cysts, which can later form scars and pigmentation spots. If we want the skin to have minimal scarring and pigmentation after acne, it’s best to consider this in advance.
Manuka honey was approved in 2007 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a recommended natural alternative for wound treatment.
Three years ago, one of my clients had a terrible accident with a blender containing hot liquid that exploded onto her face. As a result, she sustained a severe burn on her facial skin. She shared with me that Manuka honey, combined with aloe vera gel, rapidly helped restore her skin.
3. Manuka honey has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It helps prevent new infections and soothes inflamed and red areas.
Manuka honey is one of the best remedies in the fight against acne – it has a truly broad spectrum of action and, unlike topical antibiotics, has no side effects. It is highly effective yet gentle and non-aggressive on the skin.
I’ve heard some objections regarding its price, but if you consider the amount spent on cosmetic products, from budget to premium, you may start to view a product like this from a different perspective. It’s not just an ingredient in your cream or serum; it is an active ingredient in itself.
To see results, use it correctly.
How exactly should you use it?
Manuka honey is not a cleansing product, but it can be applied in the morning as the first step in your skincare routine.
How do I use it?
In the morning, I splash my face with cold water or wipe it with a cotton pad soaked in floral water (rose water, lavender, chamomile, etc.).
Then, I apply a thin layer of Manuka honey on my skin and leave it on for 4-5 minutes. I rinse it off with water.
If I have more time, I leave it on longer – the longer, the better (20 minutes, 30 minutes, or even an hour).
Then, I proceed with the next products in my routine.
In the beginning, while the acne is active, use it both morning and night! The longer the honey stays on your face, the better.
In the evening, I cleanse my skin thoroughly, first with micellar water, and then with another product that !!does not contain sulfates!! (such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). As you know, sulfates are the ingredients in cleansing products that make your skin feel squeaky clean, but they damage the skin barrier.
I apply a thin layer of Manuka honey on my skin and leave it on for 20+ minutes. I rinse it off with water.
Then, I proceed with the next products in my routine.
Which Manuka honey should you choose?
When you start looking, it might be confusing because there are different brands and price ranges. So, let me clarify:
MGO on the product packaging refers to methylglyoxal – the compound that makes Manuka honey so special. The MGO number indicates the concentration of this compound in the honey. The honey can vary in effectiveness depending on the amount of methylglyoxal (MGO) it contains.
To keep things simple, I’ll include an additional chart below to guide you. The higher the MGO content, the MORE EFFECTIVE the honey is.
If your acne mainly consists of blackheads, papules, pustules (meaning more surface-level pimples and not many cysts), you can use honey with high antibacterial activity (link to the product in Amazon, refer to the chart for extra guidance if needed).
However, if you have more cysts and deeper inflammation, or if you have a staphylococcal infection, I recommend using honey with very high antibacterial activity (link to the product in Amazon, refer to the chart for extra guidance if needed).
A question you’re probably asking yourself: Will this completely solve my acne problem?
Chronic acne is a complex and multifactorial condition, and to fully overcome it, a holistic approach is needed. This approach must first help diagnose the specific internal causes and then work toward targeted treatment. To achieve true healing of your skin from acne, you need to improve your internal environment and heal your body.
Manuka honey plays a CRUCIAL role in my work with acne clients and is part of a comprehensive protocol aimed at restoring the skin’s hydro-lipid barrier and fighting acne.
If you’re looking for an approach to heal your skin from acne in a sustainable way and are ready for change, take a look at the 6-week Basics for Clear Skin program.
Sources:
- Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
- Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6613335/
