The Scientific Benefits Of Mānuka Honey As A Cleanser
It is apparent when comparing the two, that mānuka honey is different to regular honey. Mānuka honey with its dark colour and thick texture can only be produced by bees pollinating the Leptospermum scoparium plant, commonly known as mānuka trees which are native to Aotearoa. The distinctiveness of Mānuka honey however goes beyond its strong taste, thick texture and appearance. Mānuka honey in particular is renowned for its ability to combat bacteria due to a special compound called methylglyoxal, commonly abbreviated as MGO. Methylglyoxal is the active ingredient in Mānuka honey that has shown potent antibacterial activity.
Mānuka has shown to have many benefits for the skin, including combating skin conditions, hydrating the skin and decelerating ageing. Its ability to heal various skin conditions, as well as wounds, is achieved by preventing bacterial infection. The methylglyoxal can kill typical bacteria that infect damaged skin, such as staphylococcus and streptococcus side note: this also makes it suitable as an oral treatment for the throat condition called ‘strep’. Mānuka honey is also hygroscopic, meaning it takes in and holds moisture, thanks to the concentration of its thick sugars. If you apply it to your face, you will find that it hydrates your skin and keeps it hydrated for longer. Mānuka honey also has phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant properties that can combat free radicals and decelerates the ageing process.
Mānuka honey is a natural good, produced by bees, from phenolic (plant) compounds, so it is suitable for skin that is sensitive. Other skin types that benefit from mānuka are acne prone skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, ageing skin, and irritated skin. Acne prone skin is susceptible to bacterial infection, while dry skin benefits from mānuka honey’s hygroscopic property. The antioxidant power of phenolic compounds works in favour of youthful skin. Mānuka honey can also reduce skin irritation, which usually proceeds from dehydrated skin or bacteria-infected skin.
To incorporate Manuka into skincare, use a mānuka honey cleanser every night and a mānuka honey mask 1-2 x a week. Cleansers should be applied for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Apply it to your face, rub it around and gently rinse it off. You can do this once a day. Masks should be applied for approximately 20 minutes before you rinse them off. Our range of sustainable mānuka honey skincare products are all handmade on Aotea, Great Barrier Island with mānuka honey sourced from our own bee hives. Find out more about our range of manuka honey skin care products here
Our range of therapeutic skincare is inspired by indigenous thinkers and rongoa Māori. Click here to browse our range.
