Manuka Honey Face Mask Benefits

Manuka honey is a type of monofloral honey---a honey made wholly or primarily from the nectar of one type of flower. Manuka honey is made from the nectar of the white, five-petaled flowers of the leptospermum scoparium shrub. Native to New Zealand, this shrub is a cousin to the melaleuca tree of Australia, and tea tree oil is made from both.

Anti-bacterial Properties

Manuka honey offers antibacterial benefits superior to other honeys, according to Dr. Molan, Senior Lecturer of the Biochemistry Department at the Waikato University in New Zealand, who has spent decades studying the honey's properties. The antibacterial compounds in manuka honey, called "inhibines," continue working even after removal of the honey, according to an in-depth study, "Identification and quantification of methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial constituent of Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honeys from New Zealand."
One benefit of honey is that it continuously produces hydrogen peroxide when in contact with a wound. "Regular" hydrogen peroxide loses its potency over time and, at full strength and in large amounts, can damage skin cells. Honey, on the other hand, produces just enough hydrogen peroxide to keep wounds clean without damaging skin cells.
Manuka honey also offers non-hydrogen peroxide anti-bacterial benefits. Dr. Molan calls this the "Unique Manuka Factor" (UMF).
Acne skin, especially, benefits from the antiseptic properties inherent in manuka honey masks. This honey can relieve the infection in pustules (pimples). It also offers antiseptic properties to blackheads. Janice Cox, author of "Natural Beauty from the Garden," recommends soaking a cotton ball in warm salt water and holding it to the blackhead for several minutes. After that, apply a dab of honey to the spot for 10 to 15 minutes.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

In an article reported by the BBC, Dr. Nick Glevin of Christie Hospital in Didsbury, Manchester (Great Britain), states that "Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory and anti-infection properties."
Dr. Molan found that manuka honey offers anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce scarring. Infection in blackheads and whiteheads often results from tearing in the wall of the follicle where the infection occurs. This tearing, as well as picking at the sore, can cause scarring. By lessening the associated inflammation of the infection, manuka honey masks may help eruptions heal without scarring.

Antioxidant Properties

Free radicals are at the root of the visible signs of aging. These highly unstable molecules can damage cells, according to the National Institute on Aging. Manuka honey has been shown to offer antioxidant properties that bind up and neutralize free radicals.

Humectant Properties

Janice Cox, in her book "Natural Beauty at Home," promotes the humectant benefits of honey. By binding water to the skin, honey masks can moisturize skin. Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetic Dictionary adds that honey creates a watertight film that permits skin to rehydrate itself.