Manuka honey, produced by New Zealand bees that cross-fertilize the manuka shrub, is a highly sought-after superfood. This particular honey contains unique benefits not found in other varieties. It has many applications beyond food purposes, though that’s also delicious. But many companies banter claims concerning manuka honey’s efficacy and potency. So, what are manuka honey’s real benefits and what cautions should you watch? OH! And “bee” sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post! Two winners score a jar of Melora UMF 10+ Manuka honey.
What are manuka honey ratings?
Manuka honey receives a UMF rating from an independent rating organization. UMF – Unique Manuka Factor verifies the purity and quality of manuka honey, testing for Leptosperin, DHA, and Methylglyoxal – 3 critical compounds found in genuine manuka honey.
What are manuka honey antibacterial health benefits?
- Antibacterial
While all honey has antibacterial properties, a study by the chemistry department at the University of Waikato discovered the compound methylglyoxal found in manuka honey imparts a non-peroxide anti-bacterial activity. Unlike traditional antibiotics, though, manuka hasn’t been shown to encourage resistant bacteria. The antibacterial properties are potent on the skin. But, it also displays inhibitory effects on C Diff bacteria in the gut. - Anti-inflammatory
Manuka honey’s anti-inflammatory properties show promise in IBS and Colitis treatment, two auto-immune diseases linked to severe inflammation. - Naturally high in antioxidants
Free radicals cause aging and contribute to a variety of human diseases. Antioxidants bond with free radicals and lessens the impact they have on the body. In a study comparing manuka with other kinds of honey, Manuka had the highest phenolic content. Phenol is one of the primary antioxidants found in honey.
Look out for the Gotchas!
Look for honey ratings of UMF 10+. Lower grades are no more effective than regular honey. Make sure the 10+ rating is a UMF rating and not a K-factor (or other) rating. Other scores are either unregulated or misleading. Be sure to read this independent study from Fera Science that discusses some of these ploys and what brands to avoid. Some of the names tested so low that they may not be pure manuka at all!
Make sure it’s Non-GMO if you care about that. I believe in reading labels and knowing what those labels mean.
I recommend Melora honey. Currently, Melora is the only Non-GMO and UMF certified honey on the market. And Melora also exceeded the promoted antibacterial ratings living up to their UMF 10+ promise. The study touts PRI, but PRI funded the research and is not non-GMO certified, so in my opinion, Melora is the better option here.
DIY Face Mask
Since manuka honey is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and high in antioxidants, it’s perfect for a face mask. You could buy one, but manuka honey face masks are expensive. So, I am sharing this top secret DIY manuka honey facial mask recipe with you! It’s easy to make, will leave your skin moisturized, glowing, and softened. Studies show this honey fights skin wounds, so some experts believe it’s useful on acne, as well. I love the antioxidant anti-aging properties. I’m not getting any younger, and my skin deserves a little pampering. Doesn’t yours? Tip: I recommend a mask brush to make application easier, but it’s not required. It just keeps the mask off your hands.
Pssst…. Omit the rosewater (or get food grade rosewater), and the cinnamon and manuka honey taste delightful in a cup of hot tea! Just don’t bring the water to boiling because it kills the active ingredients in the honey. I also like to add a fresh vanilla bean for a little bit of warmth.
Be sure to enter the giveaway below the recipe!
My impressions of this mask? The first time I used it, it left my skin dewy and bright. I'm eager to see the results over time. I could feel the mask working because it had a tingling sensation. It didn't burn, but I could feel it. It wasn't unpleasant, though. It smells undeniably fantastic, too! The DIY face mask washed off quickly with water and was not nearly as sticky as I expected. I'm looking forward to adding this to my beauty routine!
*Omit cinnamon if you have sensitive skin. *
Mix all ingredients
Dampen skin and apply a thin mixture over face and neck.
Let sit for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Ingredients
Directions
Mix all ingredients
Dampen skin and apply a thin mixture over face and neck.
Let sit for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Melora UMF 10+ Manuka Honey Giveaway
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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147 Comments
Darya
June 8, 2018 - 3:26 amFirst time I tried honey mask it was really sticky. I like your recipe. Doesn’t look sticky. Will gives it a go.
Alicia Taylor
June 8, 2018 - 2:59 pmI think the Rosewater helps keep it from being sticky. Be sure to let me know how you like it!
Oyinkan Ogunleye
March 20, 2018 - 10:47 pmI’ve never heard of manuka honey but I do know that honey is great for the skin!
Alicia Taylor
March 21, 2018 - 2:01 pmManuka honey has even more of those great benefits!
Kiwi
February 28, 2018 - 3:26 pmI pinned this! I love diy beauty recipes and using manuka honey sounds refreshing.
hannah
February 26, 2018 - 12:31 amI always use this honey over any other honey! So so good for you!
Cynthia Nicoletti
February 22, 2018 - 10:53 amThis looks and sounds like a great face mask. I am in need of a good hydrating mask.
BRIAN E.
February 19, 2018 - 10:44 pmI add honey to hot tea, which I drink daily during the winter months !
laura
February 19, 2018 - 9:04 pmI have honey everyday in my tea and on my bagel.
Laurie Emerson
Emeryl
February 19, 2018 - 8:47 pmI recently learned abotu Manuka honey and it’s medical uses! I’d love to have some around.
John H.
February 19, 2018 - 7:51 pmI like honey in tea.
Jennifer H.
February 19, 2018 - 6:37 pmI like honey on toast.
Lynne Meyer
February 19, 2018 - 5:33 pmI use honey mostly in my tea – it’s amazing in hibiscus tea! – but I’d love to try it in a face mask!
Melissa L
February 19, 2018 - 3:34 pmI use honey daily in the green smoothies I make for myself and my husband. I also use it in my tea at night.
Helene
February 19, 2018 - 3:27 pmI actually like eating plain honey or use it in a tea.
Molli Taylor
February 19, 2018 - 3:13 pm… you mean it’s not normal to just eat it with a spoon?
Alicia Taylor
February 19, 2018 - 4:13 pmOh! I do that, too! For health reasons…. that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! LOL
Michelle H.
February 19, 2018 - 2:24 pmI love biscuits with butter and honey.
Tammy iler
February 19, 2018 - 1:58 pmI would love to try the face mask
Chris
February 19, 2018 - 1:42 pmI use it in my tea!
Julia Baxter
February 19, 2018 - 1:26 pmI like honey to sweeten my tea.
JessicaMarie Miller
February 19, 2018 - 1:21 pmI love to put it in my yogurt
Antoinette M
February 19, 2018 - 12:06 pmI like honey on a toasted bagel.
Candie L
February 19, 2018 - 8:05 amI love honey on my biscuits. Thank you
Janine
February 19, 2018 - 12:46 amI’d use it to make a facial mask
Valerie Young
February 19, 2018 - 12:37 amWould luv to try this mask. I cannot afford stuff like this so fingers are crossed thanks for thd chance
adriiss
February 19, 2018 - 12:25 amI like to use it on tea.
AEKZ2
February 18, 2018 - 11:38 pmI like using honey in hot tea and on biscuits
tridingermckee
February 18, 2018 - 11:10 pmMy favorite use for honey is in my tea.
Peggy Damon
February 18, 2018 - 11:06 pmMy favorite use for honey is in my tea and my oatmeal
slehan
February 18, 2018 - 10:50 pmI use honey in my tea.
Allicia
February 18, 2018 - 10:14 pmI like to add it to tea
misscrue
February 18, 2018 - 10:08 pmI love it in my tea but also make a honey cucumber mask which works wonders on my skin
Alicia Taylor
February 19, 2018 - 4:15 pmCucumber is very good for the skin! It spurs on natural collagen generation.
Julie Tardi
February 18, 2018 - 9:52 pmI love to use honey in hot tea
shawna
February 18, 2018 - 9:17 pmI like to eat it.
Alexandra Y
February 18, 2018 - 8:48 pmI eat it with peanut butter.
Azeem Isaahaque
February 18, 2018 - 7:41 pmI use honey in my tea
Debra Oehlberg
February 18, 2018 - 6:34 pmMy favorite use for honey is in my oatmeal. I am a diabetic and try to avoid sugar, so I substitute small amounts of honey, which is liquid GOLD to me!!
Alicia Taylor
February 19, 2018 - 4:16 pmMy hubby is diabetic, too! It’s delicious in oatmeal.
Aaron
February 18, 2018 - 6:10 pmI enjoy honey on biscuits.
Chase D
February 18, 2018 - 5:57 pmMy favorite use is probably on buttered toast enjoyed with a cup of tea (which also has honey in it).
Alicia Taylor
February 19, 2018 - 4:17 pmNice combination! I also like it on peanut butter toast.
Alyson Broxton
February 18, 2018 - 12:56 pmI use raw honey (straight from the farm) in immune support drinks for my children.
Brenda Elsner
February 18, 2018 - 12:34 pmI like to use honey in my tea and on cornbread
Stephanie Liske
February 18, 2018 - 12:03 pmI like honey in my tea.
Hesper Fry
February 18, 2018 - 10:37 amI like to put honey in my tea! I also use honey in recipes.
Cindy Peterson
February 18, 2018 - 10:01 amI still love honey best on Mamas cornbread.
Jessica M
February 18, 2018 - 1:32 amI use it in my skincare and lipcare and in baking, teas, and cough drops
Elizabeth Tom
February 17, 2018 - 3:12 pmI’ve heard of Manuka honey before but never tried it. it sounds like good stuff
Nora T
February 17, 2018 - 1:01 pmI love Manuka honey on a piece of toast or a waffle. My husband has had multiple bouts of C Diff, so we are trying a daily dose for him…most delicious medicine ever.
Alicia Taylor
February 19, 2018 - 4:17 pmHow is that working for him?
Adaleta Avdic (@adaatude)
February 16, 2018 - 8:14 pmOh this sounds amazing! I’d love to try this at home.
Silvia Martinez
February 16, 2018 - 6:42 pmI have never heard of it. But I bet is great for the skin. I used to use a honey mask when I was younger and I loved it!
Nikki
February 16, 2018 - 3:26 pmI’ve never heard of this but it sounds like it had a whole lot of health benefits. I will give the face mask a try for sure!
Erin Kay
February 16, 2018 - 11:46 amWow this sounds like an amazing face mask! Cant wait to try it!
Marian Mitchell
February 16, 2018 - 9:31 amManuka honey is amazing. I love rose water as well. I will be trying this face mask.
Dee Dee
February 16, 2018 - 5:59 amI love face masks and DIY masks are best for me. This looks like something I’d like to try
Sarah Bailey
February 15, 2018 - 5:20 pmI have heard so many different things about Manuka Honey it is meant to be so good for you. I bet a face mask with it is wonderful for the skin.
Tasheena Nicole Johnson
February 15, 2018 - 3:59 pmI love Manuka honey. It has so many great benefits.
Jen
February 15, 2018 - 2:25 pmI have never heard of this, but definitely intrigued and love the DIY Facse Mask! Definitely have to give it a try! Thanks for the information!
Lisa Rios
February 15, 2018 - 1:39 pmI had never heard of Manuka honey before. I remember my grandma mixed 2 tblsp. of honey and the juice of 1 lime as a cold reliever when I was little. SO good.
Alicia Taylor
February 15, 2018 - 1:56 pmThat does sound good. I like honey and lime, too!
Savannah Pham
February 15, 2018 - 2:09 amThis face mask sounds like a treat! Something you would get at a nice spa. I’ll have to look for the Manuka Honey the next time I’m at Whole Foods, Sprouts, or Trader Joes. I’m obsessed with rose water so that’d be interesting to add honey and cinnamon for a thicker consistency.
Alicia Taylor
February 15, 2018 - 1:59 pmThis is the only non-GMO brand in the US. They are trying to get in at Costco, currently. Otherwise, I think it’s only available online through their site.
Evelyn Lo Foreman
February 14, 2018 - 4:09 pmThis is intriguing. Honey and rosewater sound delightful. I am going to give it a try
Rachel
February 14, 2018 - 3:02 pmI never thought of using honey in a face mask. It looks lovely and sounds like it would be so refreshing and good for your skin.
Preet
February 14, 2018 - 3:01 pmI have heard so many benefits of Manuka Honey, it is so amazing in all ways. I would love to try this face mask, my skin really needs some TLC.
Leila
February 14, 2018 - 12:47 pmLove to have a spoon a day. I take it religiously like my father who swear by the various benefits of honey. Occasionally I have a face mask with natural honey.
Via Bella
February 14, 2018 - 11:17 amI had never heard of Manuka honey until a friend commented on another friends post on Facebook. What’s the difference between that and regular honey?
Alicia Taylor
February 14, 2018 - 12:19 pmThe blog post explains the whole thing – but REAL manuka honey has more antibiotic factor than regular honey.
Ana De-Jesus
February 14, 2018 - 8:23 amI knew that honey was good for you but I had no idea that manuka honey had so many anti-inflammatory properties. I would agree with you, I imagine Manuka Honey would be very expensive to buy as a mask so it is a great idea to make your own!
Alicia Taylor
February 14, 2018 - 12:21 pmI love making my own!
Kelly
February 14, 2018 - 7:40 amI am going to try that honey rosewater face mask. It sounds so divine!
Nicola
February 14, 2018 - 7:34 amI purchased a tube of manuka honey face mask ages ago and I loved it. I was so sad when it ran out. Can’t believe I never thought of making my own!
Doreen
February 14, 2018 - 2:11 amI have yet to try Manuka honey, as it is a bit expensive than normal honey I do not gravitate towards it. I can try this mask with normal honey
Alicia Taylor
February 14, 2018 - 12:23 pmIt’s more expensive – but it has more benefits.
Drake Conan
February 14, 2018 - 1:15 amThis is my first time hearing about Manuka Honey and this looks so gret. Must try this DIY face mask recipe to see the result.
Megan B
February 13, 2018 - 4:54 pmOhhhh I love honey and I love a good face mask –– so why not both?! Perfect combo.
Dana
February 13, 2018 - 4:39 pmReally nice! This honey seems like it’s a must have for all ladies. Thanks for the DIY facial mask recipe. I LOVE facial masks!
susan smoaks
February 13, 2018 - 2:34 pmi love to use honey as a sweetener on toast and in tea.
Kristy B
February 13, 2018 - 12:48 pmI love Manuka Honey! I’ve always used it as a sweetener for my green tea. I’ve never thought of using it as a face mask. I’m going to have to try this. My skin needs all the help it can get!
deana
February 13, 2018 - 7:07 amMy favorite use for honey is on top of my grape nuts cereal!
Alicia Taylor
February 13, 2018 - 11:27 amMe too! OMG! I love it on grape-nuts. Have you ever tried it hot? Just heat your cereal and milk in the microwave. Then pour over the honey.
Heather D
February 12, 2018 - 10:50 amWe like to use honey in tea. I also like a touch in oatmeal.
cindy mahoney
February 10, 2018 - 5:45 pmI use it mainly for cooking.
Jagriti Roy
February 9, 2018 - 11:12 amI love honey and I take it during winter. But Manuka honey is something about which I was not informed much before. Thanks for letting us know. It is amazing to know about such good outcomes of using/taking Manuka honey…
Nati
February 9, 2018 - 10:03 amWow! I knew Manuka honey was good but I ignored all these benefits, thank you for the information and the Mask recipe, I’m not much into DIY cosmetics, but this one looks easy enough for me to try!
Kimmy Ripley
February 9, 2018 - 8:13 amI use it in paleo baking.
Wendy R.
February 9, 2018 - 12:27 amI like honey butter, it’s so good on muffins and bread.
Joan
February 8, 2018 - 10:50 pmI love to put honey in my tea and on my toast.
Anna
February 8, 2018 - 4:49 pmI like to enjoy honey in my tea! Adding it to my beauty routine sounds interesting!
Cheryl VanBrunt
February 8, 2018 - 12:35 pmI like honey in smoothies
Jeffrey
February 8, 2018 - 11:30 amMy favorite way to use honey is to sweeten my morning oatmeal!
Flora the Sweaterist
February 7, 2018 - 11:05 pmI’ve never heard of Manuka honey before! I shamefully ignore skincare (lazy here) but a few weeks ago I got this instictual feeling that I should try honey on my skin, and I did a research then to see whether it was only my imagination or it’s really beneficial to your skin. I was astonished to find out about all the different uses of honey!
Chris L
February 7, 2018 - 11:05 pmI love to add honey to my green tea. The kids love raw Manuka honey on toast.
Kesha
February 7, 2018 - 10:45 pmI have never heard of Manuka Honey but I did know you could use honey in facial mask. I heard it was also good for blackheads. I love pure honey.
Geoff
February 7, 2018 - 9:47 pmI enjoy putting honey on oatmeal.
Michelle Coles
February 7, 2018 - 9:46 pmI love to put honey in my tea!
Melissa
February 7, 2018 - 9:28 pmI love honey on my yogurt!
liberty
February 7, 2018 - 9:25 pmI like to enjoy honey in my tea! Adding it to my beauty routine sounds interesting!
Elizabeth W
February 7, 2018 - 9:18 pmI like it on toast!
Melanie Bolin
February 7, 2018 - 6:17 pmI like to use it for sore throats. 🙂
Nicole Martin
February 7, 2018 - 6:04 pmI like to use it to soothe sore throats.
Lisa Voyce
February 7, 2018 - 4:06 pmMy favorite use is tea.
Kayte CookWatts
February 7, 2018 - 2:13 pmI eat a couple of spoonfuls if I am feeling run down, it really helps your immune system!
Denise S
February 7, 2018 - 12:44 pmMy favorite use for honey is in chamomile tea.
Carrie G
February 7, 2018 - 12:41 pmI use it on wounds
Alicia Taylor
February 7, 2018 - 12:47 pmYes! And Manuka is great for that! Honey is a fabulous natural healer
meghan
February 7, 2018 - 12:00 pmThis looks like a great idea!
bethelderton
February 7, 2018 - 11:32 amMy favorite use for honey is in foods! I love a drizzle over biscuits or yogurt.
Mary Beth Elderton
Alicia Taylor
February 7, 2018 - 12:19 pmOk – now, you are making me hungry!
Elizabeth O
February 7, 2018 - 11:15 amOh I love this, I never knew that Manuka honey had anti-inflammatory benefits, that’s really piqued my interest!
Alicia Taylor
February 7, 2018 - 12:18 pmAll honey does – but Manuka is more potent.
Kelly D
February 7, 2018 - 10:37 amI haven’t used honey on my skin yet, but I do like to take a spoonful of manuka honey if I have a cold.
al
February 7, 2018 - 7:39 amMy favorite use is in tea.
Cynthia Schmied
February 7, 2018 - 7:39 amHoney is my favorite sweetener. Especially in herbal tea.
kimberly harrison
February 7, 2018 - 6:49 amI love putting honey in my tea.
Kim O
February 7, 2018 - 6:48 amI’ve heard of this brand but never tried it. i love honey. it’s a staple in the household.
Ayana Christine Nell
February 6, 2018 - 8:24 pmI’ve never heard of Manuka honey!! It sounds wonderful…wonder if I could find any of it where I live!
Shubhada Bhide
February 6, 2018 - 8:09 pmThis DIY face mask looks interesting to try. It looks like a good facial mask. Will give this a try!!!
Breanne
February 6, 2018 - 5:02 pmI like to put it in my tea.
Ashley C
February 6, 2018 - 4:09 pmI love to use honey in face masks and in cooking
Deborah Wellenstein
February 6, 2018 - 1:35 pmMy favorite use for honey is to eat it! I like it when paired with peanut butter for sandwiches.
Alicia Taylor
February 6, 2018 - 6:56 pmYes! I love that too! Now, I know what I’m having for lunch tomorrow.
Ithfifi Williams
February 6, 2018 - 11:58 amWhat an awesome idea to add manuka honey to a face mask. I love high grade manuka honey and all its health benefits, I will have to try this for sure, my skin really needs some TLC!
tanvii
February 6, 2018 - 10:57 amI LOVE DIY skin care and I am definitely going to try this mask. Thanks 😀
Indu
February 6, 2018 - 10:38 amI use honey in different forms but never heard about Manuka honey before. This is useful info for me. And the way you have described I am sure all the products made of such honey would be superior indeed.
Christina Sparks
February 6, 2018 - 9:56 amI like to add it to different recipes. I also like to dip my pork chops in honey.
Cynthia C
February 6, 2018 - 6:06 amI like to use honey for baking.
Emily Leary
February 6, 2018 - 5:44 amI’ve cooked with Manuka honey but I would never have thought of making a face mask from it! Sounds like a great idea.
acraftymix
February 6, 2018 - 12:20 amI would love to try some Alicia but I’m not sure if we would find it in the stores here in South Africa. I wonder if one of the online stores would ship here? They often get sticky (no pun intended 😀 ) about sending fresh produce over
Gluten-Free Spirited (@GFSpirit)
February 6, 2018 - 12:12 amThis is so helpful! I’ve heard of manuka honey, but didn’t know much about it before reading this. As soon as I read “anti-inflammatory”, I wondered if it would help with acne. I bet it makes a really good mask. It’s good to know at least one brand has the 10+ UMF rating and no GMOs.
Abigail Gibson (@luvlife4ever24)
February 5, 2018 - 11:35 pmI did not know there were different ratings for honey.
Alecia @ CSNY
February 5, 2018 - 10:17 pmI have a mental block against putting honey on my face, it’s just so sticky! But my skin always looks great afterwards so I’m not sure why. I have heard about manuka honey but I’ve never tried it myself.
Alicia Taylor
February 6, 2018 - 12:06 amI’ll be honest. I thought it was going to be sticky, too – but it wasn’t at all. I think it’s because you dampen your face first – and it’s not just honey. It also has rose water.
Milena Barrett
February 5, 2018 - 6:21 pmThis certainly sounds like something I could use! I have never heard of Manuka Honey!
Emily, Our house now a home
February 5, 2018 - 5:26 pmI have never done a face mask like this, I will have to give it a try! I love the benefits of it and am really pushing to take better care of myself this year, so this is perfect.
loisaltermark
February 5, 2018 - 5:23 pmWow, I had no idea! I’m going to look for this. The mask sounds like it would feel so yummy on your skin – and wouldn’t be so bad if it dripped on to your lips a bit!
irishred13
February 5, 2018 - 3:34 pmI have heard of Manuka Honey and use it often, especially during this time of year. I need to try this face mask it sounds refreshing!
Amity J
February 5, 2018 - 1:31 pmI learned everything about it, have never heard of it before, the face mask sounds great..
The Friendly Numismatist
February 5, 2018 - 12:37 pmDid you know all honey is actually antibacterial? Also regardless of the required expiration date on that jar of honey you have at home, honey doesn’t ever go bad! The only exception is hone made by bees that pollinated I think it was azaleas. I think that was the honey Romans used to drive their enemy crazy.
Alicia Taylor
February 5, 2018 - 2:34 pmI did actually – but Manuka honey has more antibacterial agents than traditional honey because it contains methylglyoxal. I also knew that it lasts forever. They’ve found it in Egyptian tombs still edible.
Marie
February 5, 2018 - 11:12 amOh, I would love to try this with my chai! Also, that face mask sounds heavenly!
Alicia Taylor
February 5, 2018 - 11:17 amIt’s delicious in Chai! It blends nicely with cinnamon
Angela
February 5, 2018 - 10:50 amI never knew there was a grade. I will be looking for that from now on. I normally try to honey from what ever local beekeeper is close to to house. It is suppose to help with allergies- so this year I will be looking for some from close to the peanut farms
Alicia Taylor
February 5, 2018 - 11:18 amUMF is specific to Manuka honey from New Zealand, so it’s unlikely your local beekeeper will have a grade.