tiktok tuesday: we tackle the sticky #honeymask trend (watch)

among the many food-mask options, honey is one of the most promising. but there isn't much clinical proof of its skin benefits.

by emma jones

published apr 26, 2022

last updated feb 17, 2023

4 minute read

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4 minute read

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two groups that rarely overlap — babies learning to feed themselves and beauty aficionados — have found a common ground in putting food on their faces. while mileage, and jabs at your expense, may vary based on the food group chosen, one trend — the #honeymask — may have some real benefits to it. however, research still isn’t clear if it is actually more beneficial than your standard, non-sticky, skin care products. there are known benefits to topical application of the liquid gold. research suggests that unpasteurized honey promotes healing in first- and second-degree burns. there is also evidence that applying honey to post-operative wounds may help them heal more quickly than the standard application of gauze and topical antiseptics. because of these benefits and the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria, specific types of honey (for example, manuka and revamil honey wound gel) are commonly used in clinical settings to manage wound healing.

while known for its sugar content, honey also contains proteins, enzymes, minerals and vitamins that might be used by skin cells.

honey for anti-aging

the chemical properties of honey indicate that it may be a powerful moisturizing and anti-aging product, however, there isn’t much independent clinical research on its use. this makes it difficult to understand just how beneficial honey is to our skin and how it stacks up against other common products.

honey is classified as emollient/humectant/moisturizing product under the international nomenclature of cosmetic ingredients (inci). humectants are great moisturizing tools when combined with water, as they bind to h₂o molecules and hold them onto the skin’s surface, helping give skin a plumper, more hydrated look. emollients are also moisturizing ingredients that absorb into the skin, keeping it soft and supple.

one of the anti-aging claims of honey is that the enzymes present in the substance can act as a keratolytic agent, a compound which breaks down dead skin cells and the outer layer of the skin. (popular keratolytic agents used in skin care include salicylic acid and lactic acid.) a patent filed in 1999 by l’oreal describes a “composition that contains honey as the keratolytic agent.” according to this filing, a mixture of honey, an acidic active agent and a buffer can be well tolerated by the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and increasing “radiance of the complexion.”

honey is also rich in compounds that have strong antioxidant properties, although more research is needed to determine if skin cells can absorb and then use these effectively.

honey for acne

while some types of honey have been shown to be effective against propionibacterium acne, a major type of acne-causing bacteria, there isn’t a lot of research specifically if honey applied directly to the skin is an effective treatment for acne. the limited research that is out there, however, indicates that it might not be any better than other topical acne treatments.

although honey has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, a 2016 review on its use for treating skin disorders noted that the majority of studies focus on wound healing rather than other ailments like acne or eczema.

one study, published in bmj open, did not find that adding medical-grade manuka honey to a skin routine made significant improvements in participant’s acne. for this research 136 participants between 16 and 40 years old washed their face with an antibacterial soap two times per day for 12 weeks. half of these participants were also told to apply the manuka honey to their faces 30 to 60 minutes after washing their face. at the end of the study, 7.6 per cent of the remaining participants in the honey trial had a significant reduction in the amount of lesions on their face compared to 1.9 per cent in the soap only trial. although interesting, these results were not significant enough to come to the conclusion that the honey was an effective treatment for acne.

a mixture of cinnamon bark extract and honey was shown to also be effective against propionibacterium acne and staphylococcus epidermidis, another major type of acne-causing bacteria. however, these studies were conducted in a sterilized lab environment — more research is needed on this mixture on human skin and in the “real world.”

is it worth it?

outside of wound care with medical grade, gamma-irradiated products, there isn’t much proof that honey is more effective at treating common skin concerns than other proven skin-care products.

that being said, as many consumers try to cut back on various additives and fragrances in their daily routines, honey may provide attractive skin care option. it is also likely to be somewhat cheaper than top-shelf products, which may be an another selling point.

keep in mind that your mileage will vary based on the type and quality of honey you use, as well as your own personal skin and health history. beware of any skin irritations or reactions and keep honey away from babies and anyone with a compromised immune system.

emma jones is a multimedia editor with healthing. you can reach her at emjones@postmedia.com or on twitter @jonesyjourn.

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tiktok tuesday: we tackle the sticky #honeymask trend (watch)