Everything You Need to Know About Manuka Honey Skincare
As someone with sensitive skin, I try to be mindful of the ingredients I apply to my skin, so when I find something that works, I rarely stray. Throughout my trials, mandelic acid and PDRN, have made the cut; and now mānuka honey skincare joins their ranks.
Having come up during the golden age of wellness podcasts (did anyone else subscribe to Thrive Market?) I’ve long been familiar with mānuka honey as an immunity-boosting ingredient. To be fair, I also grew up making DIY face masks from whatever was in the fridge—yogurt, lemon, turmeric, even eggs. While I mostly rely on store-bought topicals now, I still love edible ingredients in skincare, provided they’re actually backed by science. It seemed only inevitable that I’d hop on the manuka honey train, too.
Vogue’s Favorite Manuka Honey Skincare Products
On what sets it apart from traditional honey, mānuka honey is derived from the nectar of Mānuka flowers native to New Zealand and parts of Australia. According to board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, it’s rich in antioxidants, offers antibacterial benefits for acne-prone or irritated skin, and acts as both a humectant and an emollient to help hydrate while preventing moisture loss.
Because it’s both costly and difficult to source authentically, relatively few skin-care brands use Mānuka honey as a hero ingredient. The ones that do, however, can be remarkably effective: Since incorporating it into my routine, I’ve noticed fewer breakouts and significantly more hydration.
A spoonful of this magical golden elixir may not keep the dermatologist away for good, but it can certainly help. Below, the best mānuka honey-infused products—from bar soaps and masks to moisturizers—worth trying right now.
Best Face Mask: Activist Manuka Honey Mask
- Why We Love It: Theoretically safe enough to eat, Dr. Green assures us that this mask contains 100% raw mānuka honey to hydrate and soothe skin gently. “Since there are no additional ingredients, this mask can be used in many different ways to rejuvenate the skin—as a mask to repair cellular damage, as a cleanser to promote hydration, and as a spot treatment for acne lesions to reduce bacterial growth,” she explains. If using it as a mask, leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing. As a cleanser, apply a small amount to damp skin, massage gently, and rinse.
- Editor’s Experience: “There are few things as indulgent as a full face of pure mānuka honey. So on days when I want to feel better than everyone else, or when my skin needs a bit of spot treating, I reach for this mask (and always make sure to post the tube on Instagram). Naturally, it’s very sticky, so I wouldn’t recommend it on days when you’re running around the house. When I apply it, I make sure to wear a very secure headband and lie still for half an hour so it doesn’t ruin my hair.” —Iman Balagam, contributor
- Key Ingredients: Mānuka honey
- Best For: Sensitive, acne-prone skin
- Size: 80 mL
