Once you start using honey on your skin, you’ll never go back. Yes, it’s gooey and burns like heck if you get it in your eyes, but it does fabulous things for your skin when used safely and properly. You can use honey in homemade body wash, in face masks, and even as a gentle, probiotic-rich face wash.
What Makes Honey so Great for Skin
This sticky golden goodness has been used to promote healing and fight infection for thousands of years. And modern science is beginning to confirm what we have always known—that honey is nature’s powerhouse. It’s loaded with good-for-you vitamins and minerals, plus it has a host of antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is interesting to note that honey is acidic, which keeps bacteria from growing, and it releases hydrogen peroxide that kills bacteria on the skin—so those little guys don’t stand a chance [source].
Raw, unpasteurized honey has been shown to [source]:
1. Encourage wound healing
2. Draw moisture to the skin (they call that a humectant)
3. Help zap zits—thanks to its antibacterial properties
4. Tame redness and inflammation
5. Decrease the damaging effects of free radicals—thanks to a plethora of antioxidants
One of my favorite natural living books recommended recycling honey bears to create a simple face wash—genius!
Honey can be a very effective and gentle cleanser for pretty much every skin type. If you have sensitive, normal, combination, dry, or oily skin (which is pretty much every type of skin!), a raw honey face wash just might be your perfect facial cleanser.
Can I wash my face with honey?
The simple answer: yes.
When creating your own honey face wash, make sure only to use raw honey. If it’s not raw and unfiltered, then the honey has been pasteurized. And because of the heat involved in this process, some of its antibacterial and probiotic properties will have been lost.
We don’t want that! We want to make sure we have all of the natural enzymes and bacteria-fighting benefits of honey.
If you would like to try an even simpler honey cleanser, you’ll need just one ingredient. You guessed it—raw honey! Fair warning, this method is a little stickier and can take a bit longer to remove, but you’ll still enjoy all of the benefits of a real honey cleanser.
Homemade Honey Face Wash
This honey face wash combines the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and natural humectant power of honey with the gentle cleansing action of castile soap. It’s a great follow-up to an oil cleansing balm as part of a 2-step cleansing regimen to reach even deeper into your pores and make sure all of the oil is removed—without chemicals.
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1/4 cup distilled water, rose water, or coconut water
- 2 tbsp liquid castile soap
- 12 drops essential oil of your choice
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 8-ounce glass jar or bottle
Combine all ingredients and pour into a recycled honey bear (or 8-ounce pump bottle). Don’t shake the bottle, or you’ll start to foam the soap.
To use, pour a small amount of the honey mixture into the palm of your hand, and massage into your face and neck. (Avoid the eyes, trust me.) Add a pinch of baking soda a couple of times a week to gently exfoliate. Rinse with warm water.
Store honey face wash in the refrigerator.
Honey Face Wash FAQ
Does it matter what kind of castile soap you use?
Nope! Any kind will do. If you have sensitive skin, I would look for something on the gentler side, such as Dr. Bronner’s lavender or baby unscented castile soap, because something like peppermint may be too strong for some people. Otherwise, use whatever’s easiest to get your hands on.
How long will the face wash last?
If you use distilled water or hydrosol, the recipe should last indefinitely. Coconut water (or any other type of water) will only last about 1–2 weeks before starting to grow mold.
Be watchful when you are preparing the mixture so that you don’t accidentally inoculate it with bacteria from your hands, the bottle, or utensils because that can cause it to spoil.
Can I use manuka honey instead of local honey?
Go right ahead! Just make sure it’s raw and unpasteurized.
Can I put honey on my face every day?
Yes, honey is gentle enough to use every day. But like most beauty products, keep a close eye on things to make sure you don’t start to see any redness or irritation. If you do, first stop for a week, then cut back to using it 1–2 times a week.
Can honey help remove scars?
While honey has been shown to help speed up wound healing [source], there’s no scientific evidence that it fades or removes scars. You’re free to give it a try, though, and see what happens.
Also, take a look at this article on home remedies for acne scars. There are lots of things you can try, and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Will honey clog my pores?
No, applying honey to skin should not clog your pores. In fact, honey is known to reduce bacteria on the skin, which may help clear pores and decrease breakouts. [source]
So tell us, how do you use honey in your beauty routine?
Photos by Ana-Maria Stanciu
Raw Honey Facial Wash
Equipment
- 8-ounce glass jar or bottle
Materials
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1/4 cup distilled water or rose water or coconut water
- 2 tbsp liquid castile soap
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 12 drops essential oil of your choice
Instructions
- In a container add water, soap, honey, then avocado oil, and gently stir to combine.
- If you’d like to treat a particular skin issue like abnormal pigmentation or oil control, then add 3–6 drops of the best essential oil to treat that issue. Stir again.
Notes
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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Thank you for sharing.
I’m just curious. Does it matter what kind of Castile soap you use? My mom has either citrus or lavender, I can’t remember, but her bottle of Dr. Bronner’s is scented instead of just plain.
I’m wondering if you use coconut water instead of coconut milk, would it extend the shelf life and eliminate the need to refrigerate.
I was wondering if I can use Manuka honey instead of local honey
Hi yhere! I am a professional makeup artist & natural skincare expert and wanted to help answer your question. (Not affiliated with hellowglow, I wish, ha!) Absoutely!! Anytime you can use Manuka honey DO! It is even better than regular raw honey in every way!
what clay is being referred to in this guide,Is it the normal clay soil
i was just wondering, can I substitute water for rosewater?
Is there something I can use to substitute the coconut? – I don’t really like the way anything coconut feels on my face.
I have either egzyma or some other dry skin issue around my nose and sometimes my mouth. And I unfortunately used baking soda and water to exfoliate the dry skin only to burn my face. I tired your face wash recipe and it instantly relieved the itch, moisturized my skin, and I’m not as red. I really like it and I will start using this as a morning routine. ..I personally only make enough for one use and keep the coconut milk in fridge while the honey is on shelf. Hope this helps !!!
Please post what size jar is needed for the recipe, shelf life and proper storage of DIY facial care products. Thank you
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I thought I’d answer this because I was wondering the same thing. After searching all over the most common answer I found is a 2 week shelf life if it’s a warm climate (like your shower) and about a month refrigerated. And that goes for homemade or store bought coconut milk, but not the stuff you buy cold.
I love this facial cleanser/wash and because I use coconut milk I put it in the fridge…but is it OK to leave it out if you are travelling and don’t have a fridge?
Should this be stored in the fridge or made in very small portions weekly? With the addition of water/coconut water wouldn’t it need a preservative? Thank you!
I wish you put the shelf life. looks good though
I live in Italy, and here in Florence I haven’t been able to find Castile soap, is there an alternative I can use? What is Castile soap made of? Thanks!
Olive oil and other oils. You can get it through Amazon. Or check local soap maker.
Hi, I only have liquid castile soap with peppermint at home – can I use it for this wash?
Honey is among the most popular natural ingredients included in supplements that are used to fight bacteria. The Manuka honey is proven to be useful in maintaining a beautiful and moisturized skin, without the presence of harmful bacteria. Many women preferred to use the Manuka honey products to heal skin infection, including acne, ringworm, foot fungus, ringworm, eczema and scabies.
Have you tried subbing aloe vera juice for the coconut water, coconut milk, or water? I might try that :-)