Mānuka honey has a long history of use in skin treatment and repair. Its natural antibacterial properties make it both cleansing and restorative, making it an essential ingredient in effective skincare.

Produced by bees from phenolic plant compounds, mānuka honey has been shown to be beneficial for a wide range of skin types, including acne-prone, dry, sensitive, ageing, and irritated skin.

• Antimicrobial properties: Mānuka honey is rich in methylglyoxal (MGO), the compound primarily responsible for its antibacterial strength. When applied to the skin, it helps eliminate bacteria that can clog pores and contribute to acne and other skin conditions. Additional antibacterial activity comes from hydrogen peroxide, produced naturally by the enzyme glucose oxidase. Mānuka honey is also effective due to its osmotic action — its high natural sugar content draws water out of bacterial cells, inhibiting growth. Its slight acidity further supports the breakdown of bacteria.
• Nourishing properties: The vitamins, amino acids, and minerals in mānuka honey help enhance the skin’s natural protective barrier without stripping moisture. Vitamin B supports cell renewal and lipid production, vitamin C helps synthesise collagen and elastin, vitamin E aids skin repair, and vitamin A supports protection and regeneration. Natural sugars gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while amino acids support cell function and renewal.
• Skin-balancing acidity: Mānuka honey’s mild acidity closely matches the skin’s natural pH. This acidity comes from gluconic acid, produced during the oxidation of glucose in honey, helping maintain a healthy skin barrier.
• Natural hydration: As a natural humectant, mānuka honey draws moisture to the skin and helps retain it, supporting long-lasting hydration.

Mānuka honey provides a wide range of skin benefits without many of the downsides associated with synthetic skincare ingredients. It is effective for specific concerns such as acne, while also being suitable for all skin types due to its unique combination of bioactive compounds. The same properties long recognised for supporting general health are now widely appreciated for their skin-nourishing benefits.

How to Incorporate Mānuka Honey into Your Skincare Regime

To incorporate mānuka honey into your daily skincare routine, use a Mānuka honey cleanser each evening, followed by a Mānuka Honey Day Cream applied throughout the day. Use a Mānuka honey mask once or twice a week.

Cleansers should be applied for 30 seconds to two minutes, gently massaged over the face, and rinsed thoroughly. Masks should be left on for approximately 20 minutes before rinsing.

Our sustainable mānuka honey skincare range is handmade on Aotea, Great Barrier Island, using mānuka honey sourced from our own beehives.

Shop our Mānuka range →