Honey for Acne

Acne which is also commonly known as zits or pimples is a skin problem that tends to affect both sexes on account of the hormonal changes that take place especially during puberty. Acne is caused when the sebum that is excreted by the glands present in the skin on the face, chest, neck, and back is unable to flow out on account of a blockage in the hair follicles. The blocked sebum then tends to collect just beneath the skin in the form of a lump resulting in a pimple.

Honey for skin care is considered to be an effective natural remedy especially for acne. Honey for acne is effective because of its anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties. Additionally honey tends to also sooth the affected skin and can be applied directly on the skin and can be consumed as well. While commercial skin treatment products tend to irritate and dry the skin, natural cleansers made with honey will actually help to soothe your skin. Honey can be used externally as a main ingredient in a face mask to treat acne. One easy to prepare face mask using honey includes mixing equal quantities of lemon juice and honey and applying this mixture on the affected skin. This mask needs to then be washed off after allowing it to remain on the skin for at least 20 minutes.  

Another natural face mask for acne involves mixing two teaspoons of raw, unfiltered honey with one tablespoon of almond oil. This mixture should then be applied to the skin in gentle circular massaging motions and should be allowed to remain on the skin for at least half an hour before washing it off with plenty of warm water. Incase the person suffering from acne also has oily skin; some lemon juice may also be added to this mixture. Some people have also found that using honey directly on skin that has first been wiped with a warm cloth to open up the pores has also helped in clearing acne and giving the skin a wonderful glow. However, care should be taken while using honey on the skin as it may not suit all skin types. If a person has oily or highly sensitive skin then honey may actually further aggravate the acne. Additionally in cases where the acne is very severe resulting in cysts and nodules, the use of honey will not really yield any results. The use of honey for general skin care is also known to reduce oil, clear pores and even aids in preventing wrinkles.