Manuka Honey Organic

Mānuka Honey and Acne: What the Research Actually Shows

By Bart Magera
How To Use Manuka Honey For Acne

The research on topical honey for acne is smaller than its reputation suggests. The mechanism is plausible, Mānuka honey is well-documented to act against the bacteria implicated in inflammatory acne, but the human-trial base is thin.

What the research has shown

Mānuka honey's antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes (the bacterium previously known as Propionibacterium acnes) has been demonstrated in laboratory studies (Eteraf-Oskouei & Najafi, 2013, Iran J Basic Med Sci, summarizing the evidence on traditional and modern uses of honey).

The closest randomized trial in the topical-honey-for-skin-infection space (Semprini et al., 2019, BMJ Open) compared kānuka honey (a related Leptospermum species) with aciclovir for cold sores and found broadly comparable healing times. The authors noted the result might extrapolate to other skin-bacterial conditions but cautioned against overgeneralization.

For acne specifically, no large-scale human RCT has tested Mānuka honey monotherapy or compared it with established acne treatments (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, topical retinoids).

What this means in practice

The evidence base supports the claim that Mānuka honey has antibacterial activity in the laboratory against bacteria associated with acne. The evidence base does not yet support claiming Mānuka honey is an effective acne treatment in humans at any specific dose, frequency, or grade.

What buyers should think about

If you are considering Mānuka honey for skin-care reasons, a few things matter:

  • Antibacterial activity correlates with MGO grade. A UMF 5+ or unrated jar will not have the laboratory activity of a UMF 15+ or 20+ jar. See our MGO explainer for the grading equivalents.
  • Topical application is different from systemic. Drinking honey for acne has no research support.
  • Established acne treatments exist. If acne is meaningfully affecting your life, established topical and oral treatments have far stronger evidence than honey.
  • Patch-test first. Even natural-source ingredients can trigger contact reactions. Apply a small amount to forearm skin first.

If you are testing a Mānuka product on skin, our tested-and-ranked roundup lists current options at the higher potency tiers.

Common questions

Should I leave the honey on overnight?

Published research has not established an optimal application time. Topical honey for skin is typically left on for 10-30 minutes in study protocols, then rinsed.

Can Mānuka honey replace my prescription acne treatment?

The published research does not support that. Mānuka honey has not been tested head-to-head against prescription acne treatments in humans.

Sources

  • Eteraf-Oskouei T, Najafi M. Traditional and modern uses of natural honey in human diseases: a review. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2013;16(6):731-742.
  • Semprini A, Singer J, Braithwaite I, et al. Kānuka honey versus aciclovir for the topical treatment of herpes simplex labialis: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2019;9(5):e026201.
  • Carter DA, Blair SE, Cokcetin NN, et al. Therapeutic Mānuka Honey: No Longer So Alternative. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2016;7:569.