Is Honey Good For Your Skin?

Why this ancient remedy is still a skincare staple—and what science says about it today.

If you’ve ever googled “Is honey good for your skin?” you’re not alone. It’s one of those age-old beauty questions that keeps coming up—especially as more people turn to natural skincare.

Spoiler alert: Yes, honey is good for your skin. But not just because your grandma said so (though she was right). The science behind it is surprisingly strong.

Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, dry patches, or even wounds, honey offers real benefits—backed by real research. Let’s break it down.

What Makes Honey So Special for Skin?

Honey is more than a sweet treat—it's a natural humectant, antibacterial agent, antioxidant powerhouse, and anti-inflammatory balm all rolled into one. That makes it uniquely suited for topical use.

According to a 2021 review on wound healing, honey is “a safe natural substance, effective in the inhibition of bacterial growth and the treatment of a broad range of wound types.” (PMC8496555)

• Antibacterial – Honey helps fight acne-causing and infection-prone bacteria.
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory – It calms redness, irritation, and swelling.
  
  
• Antioxidant – It helps combat skin aging caused by environmental damage.
  
  
• Humectant – It draws moisture into the skin and keeps it there.
  
  
• Wound-healing – It supports tissue repair and reduces infection.

But that’s just the start. Let’s explore honey’s benefits in more detail—especially for acne, collagen production, and skin repair.

Does Honey Help Heal Wounds?

One of honey’s most well-documented skincare benefits is its ability to help wounds heal—fast and clean.

In fact, honey’s wound-healing power is so respected, it’s used in hospital-grade dressings. One review explains:

“The healing property of honey is due to the fact that it offers antibacterial activity, maintains a moist wound condition, and its high viscosity helps to provide a protective barrier to prevent infection.”
(PMC3609166)

Honey can also aid in tissue regeneration. A study on bee-derived products confirmed that honey helps “in the re-epithelization process and against most common bacterial infections.” (PMC9030501)

Bottom line? If you’ve got a scrape, burn, or irritated patch, dabbing a little raw honey might be the gentlest—and most effective—thing you can do.

Why? Because honey:

• Keeps wounds moist (which speeds up healing)
  
  
• Creates a barrier against bacteria
  
  
• Lowers inflammation
  
  
• Encourages tissue regeneration

Another standout benefit? Burn care.

A 2011 paper in Wounds stated, “Honey has been used as an adjuvant for accelerating wound healing in ulcers, infected wounds, and burns. It has also been used for storing skin grafts” (PMC3188068).

This makes honey especially useful for damaged or post-acne skin. It won’t just soothe the surface—it’ll help rebuild it.

Honey for Acne: Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory

Is honey good for your acne?

Let’s talk pimples. Can honey really help with acne? If you’ve ever dealt with acne, you’ve probably tried harsh treatments like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. They can work—but they can also strip your skin raw.

Acne is often caused by clogged pores and overgrowth of P. acnes bacteria. Honey helps by reducing bacteria on the skin without drying it out like harsh chemical treatments do. One study tested organic honeys and found that they “possess remarkable antimicrobial activity against several important human bacterial pathogens” (Springer, 2022). That includes Staphylococcus aureus—a common culprit in inflamed acne breakouts.

And it’s not just the bacteria. Inflammation plays a huge role in breakouts too—something honey tackles beautifully. The moisture-retaining, redness-calming effect makes honey a perfect spot treatment or mask for inflamed, irritated skin.

Because it’s a humectant, honey hydrates without clogging pores. If your skin gets angry at most products, raw honey might be the one exception. It's like a dual-action remedy that fights and heals at the same time.

Honey as an Everyday Skin Treatment

Can I Use Honey on My Face Every Day?

You might be wondering—can you actually use honey on your face every day?

Yes—especially if it’s raw and pure. You can:

• Use it as a daily cleanser (just massage a thin layer on damp skin, then rinse).
  
  
• Apply it as a spot treatment for blemishes or irritated areas.
  
  
• Try it as a weekly mask to hydrate and soothe.

Totally. In fact, regular use can support your skin barrier, reduce sensitivity, and keep your complexion plump and hydrated. 

A 2014 dermatology review confirmed that honey has been used in treatments for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and even diaper rash (Wiley, 2014).

The same review noted honey’s cosmetic benefits as a humectant—meaning it draws moisture into the skin and keeps it there. For dry, dull, or mature skin, this is a game-changer.

Does Honey Clog Pores or Cause Breakouts?

A common concern is whether honey might clog pores because it’s sticky and sweet.

The good news? It’s actually the opposite. Honey is non-comedogenic—meaning it doesn’t clog pores—and is safe for most skin types when used properly.

Here are a few quick tips:

• Stick with raw, unfiltered honey (ideally organic or medical-grade).
  
  
• Always apply to clean skin.
  
  
• Rinse thoroughly if you’re not leaving it on overnight.
  
  
• Don’t mix with sugary or citrusy ingredients unless you know your skin can handle it.
  

Bonus: Honey’s humectant properties actually help regulate oil production over time, which may reduce breakouts for those with combination or oily skin.

Final Thoughts: Sweet Skin, Backed by Science

So—is honey good for your skin? 100% yes.

Whether you’re dealing with acne, burns, or just want that dewy, nourished glow, honey is a safe and science-backed addition to your skincare toolkit. It’s been studied for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-repairing properties—and continues to stand out in both natural and clinical settings.

A thin layer of raw honey could be your new go-to mask, spot treatment, or first-aid fix. And it smells a lot better than most stuff in a tube. We include not only raw honey but beeswax in all of our Tallow Balms that provide everything honey has to offer combined with the moisturizing properties of tallow and olive oil, grab a jar and see the direct topical benefits yourself.

References

• Lin YL, Lu PL, Huang YH, et al. (2021). Honey in wound healing: An updated review. Pharmaceuticals, 14(12), 1242. PMCID: PMC8496555
• Mandal MD, Mandal S. (2011). Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 1(2), 154–160. PMCID: PMC3609166
• Al-Waili N, Salom K, Al-Ghamdi A, Ansari MJ. (2014). Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 13(3), 210–217. DOI
• Farrag MA, Al-Shaebi EM, Attia ZA, et al. (2022). Bee-derived products: Chemical composition and applications in skin tissue engineering. Pharmaceuticals, 15(5), 588. PMCID: PMC9030501
• Jull AB, Walker N, Deshpande S, et al. (2011). Topical application of honey for burn wound treatment – an overview. Wounds, 23(6), 202–210. PMCID: PMC3188068
• Bertrand F, Chassagne D, Gaiani C, et al. (2022). Antimicrobial activity of commercial organic honeys against clinical isolates of human pathogenic bacteria. Phytochemistry Reviews, 21, 1225–1235. DOI