What is honey in skincare?
Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution made by bees from floral nectar, containing glucose, fructose, organic acids, enzymes, amino acids and polyphenols. Its low water activity and its glucose oxidase enzyme – which slowly releases hydrogen peroxide – give it genuine antibacterial activity.
Manuka honey is distinguished by methylglyoxal, a non-peroxide antibacterial compound. Medical-grade honey is sterilised and standardised, which matters if the purpose is treatment rather than comfort.
What skin concerns does honey treat?
It is a humectant, so it hydrates; an anti-inflammatory, so it calms redness; and an antibacterial, which is why it helps mild acne. Its enzymes provide very gentle exfoliation.
Its strongest evidence is in wound healing, where medical-grade honey is used clinically on burns, ulcers and slow-healing wounds. For everyday skincare it suits dry, sensitive, irritated and mildly breakout-prone skin.
What ingredients are best paired with honey?
In masks it is traditionally combined with oatmeal, yogurt or turmeric, all of which reinforce its soothing effect. In formulated products it sits well with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and niacinamide.
Rinse it off rather than leaving it on, since raw honey is sticky and its sugars attract dust. Avoid raw honey on broken skin – use a medical-grade product if you are treating a wound. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is melasma?
Melasma is a common form of acquired hyperpigmentation that appears as symmetrical brown or greyish-brown patches, most often across the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and jawline. It develops when melanocytes – the pigment-producing cells in the skin – become overactive and deposit excess melanin into the epidermis, the dermis, or both.
It is far more common in women and in medium to deeper skin tones, and it behaves as a chronic, relapsing condition rather than a one-off mark – which is why management matters as much as treatment.
What causes melasma?
Three triggers dominate: ultraviolet and visible light exposure, hormonal change (pregnancy, oral contraceptives and hormone therapy – hence its nickname, the mask of pregnancy), and genetic predisposition.
Heat, visible light from sunlight and screens, inflammation from harsh products or aggressive procedures, and certain medications all make existing patches worse. Because the triggers are ongoing, melasma typically fades and returns rather than clearing permanently.
What ingredients are best for melasma?
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable, and a tinted mineral SPF containing iron oxides is best because it also screens the visible light that drives pigment production.
On top of that, the most evidence-backed actives are tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, liquorice root extract, retinoids and gentle alpha-hydroxy acids. Avoid harsh scrubs and strong heat, both of which can rebound the pigment. Take our Skin Quiz to build a routine around your skin tone and triggers.
