Acne can rear its ugly head at any point in your lifetime, but it’s more commonly seen in women in their late twenties and thirties. The skin is the largest part of the body and is a great indicator of what’s happening internally.

There are many chemically enhanced products, both topical and oral, that can clear acne, but these products often include many harmful ingredients that you can find on the dirty dozen list. With patience and a clean diet, acne can be reduced with natural products.

One powerful tool to rid blemishes and acne scarring is manuka honey! This golden treasure is produced by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush that is found in New Zealand. While most honeys have antibacterial methylglyoxal (MG) properties, it is in smaller quantities than what you find in the manuka honey, which contains up to 100 times more MG than normal honey. In addition to the high dose of MG, it also contains hydrogen peroxide, and anti-inflammatory properties, which provide a soothing element for your skin and helps eliminate acne scarring. It also holds in moisture to hydrate your skin and provide anti-aging properties.

At Community Natural Foods, you can find two brands of manuka honey, Wedderspoon and Manuka Health. There are several different types of Manuka honey, all of which contain the magical properties to assist with acne. The grade of the honey is determined by the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) - the higher the number, the more active the honey which means the more benefits in the jar. Anything higher than 10 is consider active and great for your skin. While you may be scared by the price tag, you can be rest assured that one jar goes a long way and has an unlimited shelf life. It can also be noted that high-end conventional skin products often cost just as much and often have the added chemicals.

There are a few different ways to use the manuka honey, but all it takes is a pea sized amount. When you wake up in the morning, dampen your face with lukewarm water and lightly pat to remove dripping water. Brush the surface of the honey in the jar with a finger to get just a pea-size amount. Rub your fingers together to heat the honey slightly and apply to your damp skin. Lightly massage your skin with the manuka honey and then wash off. You can also add a few drops of jobaba or rose hip oil for added moisture. In the evenings, apply a manuka honey mask to clean skin (take off your makeup first) by using the exact same technique, but rather than washing it off right away, let it sit for 30 minutes or more (if you have time – let it sit for a couple hours!)

By using manuka honey on your skin every day, at least once a day, you should start to see results in as little as 3 weeks. While we can’t guarantee it will cure your acne, there have been many success stories and studies that show it has worked wonders on many people.

Combined with a whole foods and a healthy diet, manuka honey will help you on the path to beautiful healthy skin in time for a natural summer glow!

All information and tools presented and written within this article are for educational and Informational purposes only. Any nutrition, lifestyle and product recommendations are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before starting any new supplements, diet and exercise program please check with your doctor or practitioner.