Holistically Katie

Manuka honey is an all-natural honey that comes from New Zealand. It is not like any other raw honey, because it is antibacterial, antifungal and very healing. You can apply manuka honey on cuts or scrapes as an alternative to hydrogen peroxide because it is much more gentle, and works even better. You can also take manuka honey internally to help boost your immune system. My favorite way to use manuka honey is as a face mask:

The brand I am using is GoodOnYa because it is a very high quality brand that uses medical grade Manuka Honey. It is important to make sure you use a high quality manuka honey and check the UMF, which stands for Unique Manuka Factor. It should be at least above 10 for optimal healing properties. I use Manuka Honey as a a facemask every night because it is great for rosacea and dermatitis, which are two conditions my skin is prone to. You can also use manuka honey as an all-natural face wash, as opposed to a drying cleanser.

Here are some awesome recipes for manuka honey masks:

Turmeric Manuka Honey Mask

• 1 tablespoon of pure Manuka Honey
• 1 tablespoon of turmeric* powder
• 1 tablespoon pure jojoba oil

Mix the ingredients together to form a paste and apply it all over your skin. Leave for at least twenty minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. Turmeric is incredibly anti-inflammatory, and can help many skin conditions. *Note: Turmeric tends to stain the skin yellow, but don’t worry! You can use some rosewater or any toner to get the yellow pigment off.

Avocado Manuka Honey Mask

• 1 tablespoon of pure Manuka Honey
• 1 tablespoon of mashed avocado
• 1 tablespoon of pure avocado oil

Mix the ingredients together to form a paste and apply it all over your skin. Leave for at least twenty minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. Avocado is full of Vitamin E, which can soften your skin and leave it looking supple and glowing.

Charcoal Manuka Honey Mask

• 1 tablespoon of pure Manuka Honey
• 1 capsule of charcoal powder
• 1 tablespoon of pure jojoba oil

Empty the charcoal capsule into a bowl, and mix with the honey and jojoba oil. Apply onto your skin and leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly. Charcoal is great for pulling impurities out of your skin, and leaving your pores smaller.

Incorporating manuka honey into my life has helped my skin tremendously. I am less prone to breaking out, and my skin looks healthier after doing any one of these masks. Try incorporating this mask when you want to relax and treat yourself, maybe as you are taking a warm bath or reading a great book.