I love using honey on my face for so many reasons. One of my favorite ways to use honey is by mixing it with a little turmeric. I don’t follow a strict recipe—I just put some honey in a small bowl, sprinkle turmeric over it, mix it up, and apply it with my fingers. When washing it off, I use oil to help remove the turmeric stains. Without oil, the stains can be tough to get off, but a moisturizer or makeup remover works too. I usually wipe off the honey and turmeric mix with a wet washcloth, then follow with my normal oil cleansing method (OCM), doing a short massage before wiping off again with another wet cloth. It’s amazing how much yellow comes off the second time with the oil.
I don’t use this mask every day—mostly when I feel a breakout coming. I cover my whole chin and mouth area when I notice something starting to form. Honey has also been great for my allergies. Eating a tablespoon of local honey about three times a week has kept my allergies at bay for the past two years.
A couple of years ago, I got a terrible sunburn from being outside without sunscreen. My face wasn’t in good shape either. I tried a honey mask, and it felt so soothing on my sunburned skin. It’s definitely anti-inflammatory. However, I’ve learned to be careful when washing it off with a washcloth, as the fibers can get stuck to my face, making it feel like I’ve grown a beard in 20 minutes!
My cousin had terrible acne and found relief by using olive oil mixed with honey as a cleanser. Her skin looks amazing now. Inspired by her, I started leaving honey masks on my face not just for acne, but because I love how soft my skin feels afterward.
I’ve also tried adding a teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon of nutmeg to a tablespoon of honey. I gently scrub it in circles and leave it on for about 15 minutes. It can be a bit drippy, but it’s worth it for the lovely feel it gives my face.
For daily use, I wash my face with raw honey from Trader Joe’s. I wet my face with warm water, rub in the honey, and rinse it off with a washcloth. It doesn’t leave my face sticky, just smooth and clean.
Another favorite mask is honey mixed with green tea leaves and oatmeal. I use this a few times a week, especially before going out. Green tea and oatmeal help with inflammation and make my face feel wonderful. After washing it off, I moisturize it with shea butter, which is great for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Here’s my nightly routine: I start with an oil blend of 80% grapeseed and 20% jojoba to remove makeup and sunscreen. Then I apply raw honey for 20 minutes, followed by a gentle foaming cleanser. I tone with Thayers Rose and Witch Hazel Toner and use St. Ives lactic acid wipes. If necessary, I apply Neutrogena On-the-Spot 2.5% benzoyl and finish with CeraVe moisturizer plus a few drops of meadowfoam.
Even though I don’t see consistent results from honey masks due to my irregular use, they make me feel pampered. I also enjoy making a lip scrub with honey and sugar—it’s delicious!
When I first used raw honey on my face twice a week, I noticed my skin looked temporarily better. The stickiness of the honey removed dirt sitting on top of my skin, but it didn’t clean out my pores. So, while honey is great, for full benefits, I recommend using products formulated in labs, like Skinfood Propolis essence.
Honey, combined with aspirin, helped cure my acne. I dissolve 3-4 aspirin with a few drops of warm water and mix it with honey, applying it for 15 minutes before rinsing and moisturizing. This routine, done 1-2 times per week, has been beneficial.
For my type 2 rosacea, using local raw honey daily with a drop or two of distilled water has been soothing and calming. I also oil cleanse a couple of times a week to help with sebaceous filaments, leaving the oil on my dry skin for about 15 minutes, massaging it in for three minutes, and rinsing off.
Using honey on my face has become an essential part of my skincare routine. It’s natural, and soothing, and makes my skin feel soft and healthy.
