Ambrosia, the nectar of the gods, is widely believed to have been a form of honey.
It was served at heavenly feasts on Olympus and was believed to grant immortality. In the Homeric poems, it appears as an ointment or cosmetic used to clean and care for the bodies of gods and mortals alike. This is all to say, that the sumptuous and healing power of honey is no new concept.
What’s the difference between Manuka honey and regular honey?
Manuka honey is made with the nectar of the Manuka tree, which is native to New Zealand in the North, South and Stewart Islands, as well as Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.
Meanwhile, regular honey comes from many different types of flowers. The two types of honey are similar nutritionally but have unique flavours – Manuka is earthier with a velvety texture while regular honey is fruitier and more floral.
Some types of Manuka honey have higher antibacterial properties than regular honey due to a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO). Since it’s raw and unpasteurised, Manuka honey also tends to contain more nutrients – such as antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. While other kinds of raw honey contain more nutrients than processed options too, it’s real Manuka honey that has that all-important high MGO content.
What are the benefits of honey in haircare and skincare?
Does it matter whether it’s Manuka or regular honey?
While all honey is effective for moisturising and nourishing the skin, Manuka honey is a special kind of raw, unpasteurised honey which has a high concentration of antibacterial compounds. This makes it anti-inflammatory and healing as well as hydrating.
While this all sounds rather wonderful, it’s important to note that though powerful – Manuka honey isn’t a magic wand that can be waved over any skin or hair-related issue to promote healing. As always, consult a dermatologist before making any radical changes to your skincare routine.
Without further ado, it’s time to transform your bathroom cupboard, one honey-infused product at a time. Let’s get busy, fellow bees.
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Farmacy Honey Potion Plus Facial Mask
Formulated to nourish your skin and support its renewal, this face mask by the clean and cruelty-free, farm-to-table brand Farmacy is formulated with antioxidant-rich buckwheat honey, cica and upcycled apple extract to support hydration.
It’s also infused with essential ceramides, niacinamide, propolis and amino acid-rich royal jelly to help bring new life to dry skin. But wait, there’s more: B vitamins smooth the skin, while glycerine attracts further moisture. Plus, the skin barrier-protecting mask comes with a handy metal, magnetic spatula which attaches to the inside of the lid for fuss-free application.
The thick texture is slightly jarring at first application and the idea is to spread it over the face in a circular motion where the yellow gel-like consistency becomes white and almost milky. It’s potent and so may leave the skin tingly but acts as instant nourishment. You may find it takes a while to remove, it’s just that thick.
Buy now £37.00, Amazon
Manuka Doctor Ceramide Smoothing Cleanser
We’ve come across many manuka honey-infused skincare products which nourish the skin, but no cleansers – until now. Thanks to Manuka Doctor, you can infuse honey into every step of your skincare routine without breaking the bank. The gentle, foaming formula is enriched with three essential ceramides, salicylic and hyaluronic acids, as well as the all-important key ingredient; manuka honey.
Made in New Zealand from certifiably Kiwi Manuka, this cleanser purifies and exfoliates while simultaneously promoting skin regeneration, stimulating tissue growth and delivering an all-over glow.
Buy now £20.00, Manuka Doctor
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate & Repair Shampoo
For hair extensions that are really in need of a dose of hydration and moisture, reach for a bottle of Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate & Repair Shampoo. This sulphate-free hair cleanser effectively removes impurities, oil and product build-up whilst infusing hair with intensive moisture, reconstructive proteins and shine-enhancing nutrients.
It envelopes tresses in a fortifying, ultra-hydrating blend of certified organic shea butter, manuka honey and yoghurt, the reparative formula transforms coarse, brittle hair with improved smoothness, texture and manageability.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter, 250ml
This Creme de Corps whipped body butter has an indulgent, hydrating feel yet a wonderfully lightweight texture. Suitable for all skin types, it’s made from a blend of shea and jojoba butter before being infused with soy milk and honey for luxurious, 24-hour hydration. Kiehl’s recommends applying to lightly towel-dried skin for the ultimate moisturisation.
Buy now £46.00, John Lewis
Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Face Mask 75ml
Housed in a chic bottle, the New Zealand-made Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is as nourishing as it gets. The key ingredient is - you guessed it - Manuka honey which helps to balance the skin’s natural pH to support a fresh and clean complexion. It’s also powered by Pohutukawa Bloom, which is a bioactive extract that replenishes lost moisture, as well as Vinanza Grape – a firming antioxidant.
Buy now £30.00, lookfantastic
Dr Organic Manuka Honey Body Lotion 200ml
Powered by a complex blend of bioactive Manuka honey, this value-for-money body lotion by Dr Organic features aloe vera, apple extract, shea butter, cocoa butter and sunflower seed oil doe high-octane hydration. Incredibly rich, it may take a minute or two to rub in and absorb into the skin, but the results are certainly worth it.
Buy now £8.99, Holland & Barrett
Honey Bee Beautiful Nurse Bee Balm for Dry & Eczema Prone Skin
A cult-favourite product among those who suffer from eczema, dermatitis and topical steroid withdrawal, this Welsh beeswax barrier balm is eco-friendly, antibacterial and antimicrobial.
It’s formulated using raw honey, pure beeswax and propolis (a sticky, resinous substance that bees use to build and repair their hives) and offers a steroid-free, natural solution for skin challenges of all kinds. Should you finish a pot, you can return your sustainable jar to Honey Bee Beautiful for reuse.
Buy now £7.49, Amazon
Burt's Bees Lip Scrub and Exfoliator
A powerhouse product from a classic, beloved beeswax brand, Burt’s Bees Lip Scrub gently exfoliates and conditions dry lips with the help of castor seed oil, cocoa butter, beeswax and sweet honey crystals. To use, simply buff into your lips gently before rinsing or wiping off the excess for a natural glow.
Use it as a base for the Passion Fruit & Chamomile overnight lip mask for truly luscious lèvres.
Buy now £7.49, Amazon
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Negin Mirsalehi, the founder of Gisou, comes from six generations of beekeepers. The brand’s entire range of honey-infused products is not only born out of generational expertise, but contains honey from Mirsalehi’s family bee garden.
Officially a cult-favourite product, Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Oil can be used pre or post-styling to help rebuild and repair hair at the cuticle level. Never greasy and a powerful hydrator which is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids, your mane will never be shinier or more sumptuous.
Buy now £19.00, Cult Beauty
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask
Relatively new to the Gisou family, this deliciously scented hair mask has been formulated to maintain and improve hair health while boosting suppleness, shine and bounce.
It’s infused with the brand’s signature Mirsalehi Honey as well as ceramides which deeply nourish and strengthen every strand. It also features hyaluronic acid for an ultra-glossy finish. Use after shampooing and leave on for five to seven minutes.
Buy now £39.00, Cult Beauty
Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil Golden Shimmer Glow
If you’re already a fan of Gisou’s viral Honey Infused Lip Oil, we have some good news.
The beloved formula has been treated to a glitzy makeover. It still retains that mirror-like shine that has earned the product its cult status and the hydrating heroes hyaluronic acid, buriti fruit oil, blueberry seed oil and of course, honey - as is the brand’s signature ingredient - providing the moisturising benefits.
Buy now £24.00, Gisou
Comvita Medihoney Antibacterial Wound Gel with Manuka Honey
Harnessing the healing properties of manuka honey, Comvita’s cream creates the optimal environment to encourage the healing process - and uses only natural ingredients to do so. Layered on burns, cuts, grazers and ulcers, it acts as an antibacterial, removes dead tissue and protects the skin.
Buy now £12.72, Amazon
L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Manuka Honey Night Cream 50ml
Boosted by Calcium B5 and Manuka honey, L’Oreal’s Age Perfect night cream helps the skin to repair and replenish itself while you sleep. The rich, restorative formula also helps to restore the skin’s density for a plump, lively complexion while helping to improve and repair the skin carrier.
Buy now £19.99, Boots
Lush Fairly Traded Honey Shampoo
Looking to transform your entire haircare routine from scalp to ends? Aside from a nourishing honey-infused conditioner and hair mask, you’ll also need a shampoo. We know, we didn’t think it existed either. Lush’s Fairly Traded Honey shampoo imbues hair with shine and lustre. It’s also formulated with linseed mucilage for further smoothing power, as well as geranium oil to perfume the hair and balance the scalp.
As the name suggests, the honey used is fairly traded and therefore contains no nasty preservatives – and just like all Lush products, it’s cruelty-free. We recommend pairing it with their best-selling Veganese conditioner, which is a glossy lemon, rosemary and lavender-infused delight.
Buy now £11.50, Lush
