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Honey in Your Skincare: Nature’s Secret to Clearer, Healthier Skin
Beauty

Honey in Your Skincare: Nature’s Secret to Clearer, Healthier Skin

12 April 2025


Honey in Skin Care




Honey, commonly found alongside a cup of tea, is made by bees and has multiple functions in skin care stemming from its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity.



Because of these properties, honey is great to use in treatments of acne, eczema, and other inflammation or bacterial concerns.




Though it makes your skin photosensitive, honey contains free radical binding antioxidants that help prevent genetic damage from UV radiation. For that reason, honey can be used to treat sun damage, but not to prevent it.



To find out if this ingredient is a good addition to your custom skin care regimen, read below and take our quiz to find your Baumann skin type and get a dermatologist recommended skin care routine. If you’re just looking for my recommendations on the best products with honey, here are some great choices:




Take the Quiz



Table of contents




Honey in Skin Care



What is honey made of?




Different compositions of bee products



What is Propolis?




What is Royal Jelly?



Benefits




Side-effects



Is it safe?




Acne



Dry skin




Sun damage



Wrinkles and aging




Masks



Products




References



What is honey made of?




Honey is made almost entirely of sugars like glucose and fructose (80-85%).



About 10-15% of honey is water.




It is acidic.



Besides sugars and water, it also contains small amounts of various proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and phenolic compounds with a range of properties. (7-11)




Based on which plant the bees use, the active compounds can vary significantly between honey varieties. (7,12)



Other than just the flowers involved, weather, climate, storage, and many other factors exist that can change the chemical composition of honey.




Glycerin (glycerol) is present in this ingredient, a major contributor to its humectant properties.



Some flowers whose nectar commonly ends up in honey can include:

Borage

Lavender

Manuka

Peppermint

Rose

What is honey made from

Different compositions of bee products

Since honey is made through the process of bees collecting nectar from various plants local to their environments, it can have a variety of chemical compositions.

In one study comparing the composition of 18 kinds of honey, different phenolic breakdowns were present in each of the specimens reviewed (with many re-occurring compounds.) (1)

The flower type used by bees to produce a particular batch of honey determines the type of chemical compounds in the resulting honey. Some compounds in honey are fairly unique to certain plants, like Linalool from lavender plants.

What is Propolis?

Propolis has been used in skin care for hundreds of years for the purposes of wound care. (4)

The word propolis is of Greek origin, it means pro-(before) -polis(city) which might reflect on the thought that bees constructed buildings and communities before humans did.

Propolis is one of the three primary products of bee agriculture next to honey and beeswax and is a thick, adhesive substance that bees make from tree sap; it is used to seal and attach the various compartments of bee hives.

This substance is much thicker and stickier than honey is, and expresses many of the same benefits such as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits.

Some studies have found that propolis might be an effective preventative and reactive treatment to certain kinds of tumors. (5) But more research on cancer treatments is necessary.

Propolis has a lower sugar content than honey, so it is less likely to cause glycation than honey is.

Hundreds of active compounds from phenols to flavonoids have been discovered in multiple specimens of propolis that vary based on the origin of the propolis. Different bees with different plants produce propolis with different compounds.

Some commonly occurring compounds in studied specimens of propolis were: (6)

Bisabolol

Caffeic acid

Ferulic acid

If you are interested in using honey products but are prone to skin aging, propolis might be a better option for your custom skin care regimen.

Keep your eyes open for our blog all about propolis, coming soon!

What is Royal Jelly?

Royal jelly is also produced by bees, but it is significantly different from honey in both composition and production. (14)

Royal jelly is a secretion from the jaws (mandibles) of bees that is rich in nutrients. It is only for the queen bee.

Unlike honey which can cause glycation on the skin, potentially leading to skin aging, royal jelly has a low sugar content that does not cause significant glycation.

In addition, royal jelly is known to stimulate collagen production in the skin, which means it might actually be a good choice for anti-aging regimens depending on your skin type.(15,16)

Interestingly, royal jelly expresses photoprotective activity that typical bee honey does not express. For this reason, royal jelly might be beneficial as an additive in various sunscreens or high SPF products.

Royal jelly has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and humectant properties.

Overall, royal jelly is a useful ingredient in skin care because is offers all (if not more) of the same benefits with a lower risk of collagen/elastin glycation. However, it is a very expensive ingredient.

A blog dedicated to royal jelly in skin care is on the way!

Honey in skin care

Benefits

Honey has been used for medical and cosmetic purposes for hundreds of years because it has notable antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. (2)

When honey is used on the skin, it starts to release hydrogen peroxide, a potent antimicrobial compounds that eliminates bacteria and lowers skin pH. (6)

It is soluble in water and works as a humectant, meaning honey can be good in certain products designed for hydrating the skin.

Because of the various positive properties of honey, it can be found in treatments for acne, burns, eczema, cracked lips, sun damage, and more.

Low pH ingredients like honey are common in cleansers for regulating the pH environment of the skin.

Based on the botanical components present, honey can express benefits from the flowers they were made from.

Side-effects

Carbohydrates such as the sugars that make up honey are known to cause glycation on the skin. (13)

Glycation on the skin is not dissimilar from the way sugar becomes caramel in a cooking pot. It is the Maillard reaction happening on skin.

When sugar molecules are exposed to proteins in the skin, a chain reaction begins that harms the structures of those proteins, which can lead to skin aging concerns.

Glycation has an effect on collagen and elastin, both of which are crucial compounds for helping the skin maintain youth.

When elastin and collagen suffer glycation, the skin becomes more brittle, thin, and sensitive to photodamage.

For those reasons, it is important to avoid using honey in your skin care routine if you have wrinkle-prone or mature skin.

All that said, there has been some research that suggests the antioxidant properties and certain fatty acids present in this ingredient might offer protective anti-aging benefits, (3) so more research is definitely needed to be sure on honey’s effect on aging.

Is it safe?

Honey poses no significant health risks as a skin care ingredients unless you suffer from a specific allergy to it.

If you are allergic to a flower, you might want to avoid honey of that same flower as some of the plant’s original phenols are present in the final product.

it is a clean, non-toxic ingredient.

Overall, it is safe in skin care and does not pose a significant risk of allergy or causing acne, but it is not the best choice for anti-aging regimens.

To find out if honey is a good choice for your skin care, make sure to shop by your skin type which you can find by taking our quiz!

Take the Quiz

Honey for acne

Acne

Honey is a potent natural antibiotic, easily capable of eliminating acne-causing and other bacteria on the skin. (1,2,6)

In addition to killing bacteria, it is also an anti-inflammatory that reduces redness associated with clogged pores and acne.

Because honey is acidic, it changes the pH environment of the skin making it more difficult for bacteria to grow and thrive on the skin.

When applied to the skin, honey begins releasing hydrogen peroxide, an antimicrobial chemical known for its ability to treat acne.

For all these reasons, honey might be a good addition to your personal acne routine.

Dry skin

Honey is primarily composed of sugars which are soluble in water, this means they act as humectants which draws moisture together on the skin.

If you have dry skin, products containing this ingredient could help with quick alleviation of dry or inflamed skin.

Many dry skin concerns like eczema, itching, and flaking can all be treated by products containing honey.

There are many different kinds of moisturizers, so make sure to take our skin type quiz to find the best moisturizers for your specific skin type!

Sun damage

Ingredients that cause glycation on the skin have been shown in studies to increase photosensitivity because of harmful AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products) which result from sugars interacting with proteins and fats in the skin.(18)

Honey is known to increase photosensitivity on the skin when used in direct sunlight, so it can lead to sun damage in some cases. It does not prevent sun damage.

It can, however, treat pre-existing sun damage because it is rich in free radical scavenging antioxidants. Free radicals can damage the skin on a genetic level, so binding and eliminating those radicals is crucial for skin health.

What is glycation

Wrinkles and aging

As an ingredient composed primarily of sugars, use of honey on the skin can result in the glycation of collagen and elastin. This is bad for skin aging related concerns. (17)

Collagen and elastin are essential for giving the skin its springiness, resilience, and youthful appearance.

When sugars are exposed to skin proteins, a cascade effect begins that results in brittle collagen and elastin compounds.

On the contrary, some studies suggest that the arginine and glutamic acid content of honey stimulate collagen synthesis. (3)

In addition, this ingredient is known for its antioxidant capabilities, which is often a good sign for the efficacy of an anti-aging ingredient.

If not for the high sugar content of honey, it would be a far better candidate for anti-aging treatments than it is.

If you plan to use this ingredient in your skin care routine, using an anti-aging focused ingredient just after removing the honey is recommended to counteract the glycation caused by the sugars.

If you are wrinkle-prone, some common anti-aging ingredients to consider for your custom skin care regimen might be:

Peptides

Resveratrol

Retinoids

Ubiquinone

Vitamin C

Masks

A honey mask can be an effective part of a hygienic cleansing routine if you have acne prone skin.

As a potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory ingredient, honey masks can soothe redness associated with acne while also eliminating bacteria that would lead to further acne.

Low pH ingredients help normalize desquamation of the skin, or natural exfoliation.

For this reason, there are many masks and cleansers formulated with low pH which include acids like glycolic or salicylic acid.

Honey masks should be removed before applying other skin care products, or before going to bed or going outside.

Since honey is water soluble, a simple rinse will quickly make it less sticky. Rinse until no honey is left on your face.

Products

Many products on the market contain honey, propolis, and/or royal jelly. Here are my favorites!

Thanks for reading this blog all about honey in skin care! Be sure to find out your Baumann Skin Type using the quiz below so you can be sure the products you buy will really work for your skin.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
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