When it comes to DIY and homemade face masks, the internet is saturated (guilty!) with recipes, and at times, it may be hard to choose which homemade masks you should try and which you should avoid. Enter two simple, yet undoubtedly skin-changing ingredients: manuka honey and turmeric. A combination so powerful that it may just fix all of your skin problems from acne, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, scars, dark spots, oily skin, and even dry skin.
So why is manuka honey and turmeric such an incredible combo for a face mask and why should you use it? Below, we'll explain exactly what each ingredient does, and how, when combined together, they can get your skin from blah to wow in just 20 minutes!
Manuka Honey
But what exactly is manuka honey and how does it differ from regular, generic honey? Native to Australia, manuka honey is made by bees that pollinate the manuka bush, and is touted as one of the most beneficial honeys in the world. Research has shown that manuka honey has some seriously miraculous properties and can cure a sore throat, acne, help prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, inflammation, treat diabetes, and the list goes on and on. As you can see, manuka honey is NO regular honey, and as such, is quite expensive. You can expect to pay at least $60 for a jar, but it is SO worth it.
But what makes manuka honey so special, other than the fact that it is made exclusively by bees that pollinate a certain native Australian bush? All honeys have antibacterial properties, but some types, like manuka, have a lot more. The antibacterial compound in manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MG). While this compound is indeed found in all honeys, only manuka honey contains a high concentration of MG. The higher this concentration, the stronger the antibiotic effect.
Turmeric
Turmeric, like honey, has long been used to treat a slew of conditions due to its medicinal properties. It contains a compound called curcumin (the main active ingredient), which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. If you were to consume turmeric though, for its health benefits, just sprinkling some into your food would not be enough. To get the full health benefits of turmeric, you would have to consume it in a supplement form. But even then, the body does not absorb it well, and it needs to be taken with black pepper, which contains piperine. The piperine compound can enhance the absorption of curcumin. Look for supplements that contain piperine.
On the skin, turmeric can help fight acne causing bacteria and also help reduce inflammation. This means that it's a great ingredient to treat a number of skin conditions including acne, oily skin, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Combine turmeric and manuka honey and you get a match made in skin heaven!
Manuka Honey and Turmeric Face Mask Recipe
This manuka honey and turmeric face mask recipe is quick and easy to prepare, and will leave your skin feels soft, clean, and glowing after the first use. We recommend you use this mask once or twice a week for at least a couple of months. Within the first week or two, you'll notice softer and smoother skin. With continued use, the ingredients will work to prevent excess sebum and acne, get rid of dead skin cells, and fade dark spots and acne scars.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder (try to find a high quality turmeric powder)
- 1 tbsp manuka honey (the initial cost of the manuka honey is pretty high, but the benefits are absolutely worth it)
Directions:
- In a small bowl, mix the manuka honey and turmeric until a smooth paste forms. If you find that the mixture is not wet enough, add more honey. If the mixture seems too dry, add more turmeric. Mix well until both ingredients are incorporated.
- Apply the mask to a clean face and neck massaging slowly in circles.
- Let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes. You may want to lay down as the honey can drip down onto your face and make a serious mess!
- Rinse off gently with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
- Apply once or twice a week for best results.
Manuka Honey and Turmeric Face Mask Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp manuka honey
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the manuka honey and turmeric until a smooth paste forms. If you find that the mixture is not wet enough, add more honey. If the mixture seems too dry, add more turmeric. Mix well until both ingredients are incorporated.
- Apply the mask to a clean face and neck massaging slowly in circles.
- Let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes. You may want to lay down as the honey can drip down onto your face and make a serious mess!
- Rinse off gently with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
- Apply once or twice a week for best results.