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Honey isn’t just a pantry staple — it may also deserve a spot in your skin care routine. The natural ingredient has found its way into everything from cleansers to face masks, and for good reason. “More than a tea topper or dessert drizzle, this sweet treat has a range of dermal benefits,” says Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Ava MD. “It is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal, amongst other positive benefits.”
But is it actually worth swapping out something in your current skin care routine for a honey product, or is it just a buzzy trend?
I spoke with Shamban and another board-certified dermatologist about the benefits of honey as a skin care ingredient, whether there are people who should avoid it and more. I also rounded up the best skin care products with honey, so you can enjoy the popular ingredient as part of your regimen.
What is the benefit of honey on skin?
One of honey’s biggest selling points is that it is very hydrating. “Honey acts as a humectant, meaning it helps attract and retain water in the skin — this can improve hydration and leave the skin feeling softer and smoother,” says Dr. Anetta Reszko, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. That hydrating effect is only part of the appeal, though. “Certain types of honey may also have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties,” Reszko says. “Because of this, honey-based skin care products may be helpful for dry, dehydrated or mildly irritated skin. They can also support the skin barrier.”
For anyone dealing with a compromised or easily irritated barrier, that combination of moisture-locking and calming properties can make honey a gentler alternative to harsher actives.
Beyond hydration, honey can also help smooth out texture and refine the look of your pores.
“Honey is also a great natural clarifier and exfoliator,” says Shamban. “It can help to gently slough away dead skin cells, keeping pores clean and clear.” Unlike some physical exfoliants that can feel abrasive, honey’s exfoliating action tends to be mild, making it a more approachable option for people who want the benefits of cell turnover without the risk of over-scrubbing or aggravating sensitive skin.
Can you apply honey directly to your face?
While it might be tempting to swipe some honey from your pantry straight onto your face, experts suggest avoiding that. “Raw honey may provide temporary hydration and soothing benefits, but I generally prefer a properly formulated skin care product rather than recommending food-grade honey directly on the skin,” says Reszko. “Because it is not standardized for dermatologic use, its composition can differ depending on the botanical source and processing. It can also be sticky and challenging to use consistently.”
In other words, the honey in your kitchen cabinet hasn’t been tested or formulated for your face the way a skin care product has, so results can be unpredictable — and cleanup is a lot messier, too.
The best skin care products with honey
The below honey-based products align with guidance experts shared about shopping for this type of skin care, and each has a four-star or more average rating from hundreds of customers.
This is my go-to moisturizer when my skin is at its driest — think the dead of winter or after too many hours in the sun. The formula combines honey with ceramides to deliver a serious dose of hydration without feeling heavy, leaving my skin soft, calm and noticeably less tight by the next morning.
This toner is a shopper-favorite for good reason. Packed with propolis (a natural substance bees create) and honey extract, this lightweight toner hydrates, soothes irritation and helps calm redness, making it great for sensitive or reactive skin. It layers easily under serums and moisturizer, adding a boost of dewy hydration without leaving sticky residue.
The Tonymoly I’m Honey Face Mask is an easy option for a quick hit of hydration. The sheet mask is soaked in honey extract and delivers a burst of moisture and nourishment in just 10 to 20 minutes, leaving skin looking plump, dewy and refreshed after.
Shamban mentioned that certain types of honey are known to be antibacterial — and manuka is one such type. This lightweight serum, which contains manuka honey, hydrates while helping calm inflammation. It’s made without parabens or sulfates for people with sensitive skin and shoppers say it absorbs easily and doesn’t feel oily.
If you’re open to splurge, May Lindstrom The Honey Mud is a real treat for your skin. I’ve used it both as a cleansing balm and as a mask, and it always leaves my skin feeling remarkably soft and bouncy. Rich with honey and nourishing botanicals, it’s a luxurious addition to any routine. Also, a little goes a long way, so while this is a splurge, it will last you.
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How I picked the best skin care products with honey
To come up with a list of the best skin care products containing honey, I asked experts for their top picks and for what to prioritize when shopping. Here is what the suggest:
- Product type: Not every product benefits equally from honey’s properties, so it helps to know where the ingredient shines. “Honey works best in products designed to hydrate, soothe and support the skin barrier, such as moisturizers, hydrating masks, balms and serums,” says Reszko. These formats allow the ingredient to actually sit on the skin long enough for its humectant and calming properties to make a difference, rather than being rinsed away too quickly to do much good (like it would in a cleanser).
- Complementary ingredients: Checking the rest of the ingredient list can help you get more out of a honey-based product. “Honey’s humectant properties can complement ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and other barrier-supporting ingredients,” says Reszko. Pairing honey with these hydrators and barrier repairers can amplify its moisture-retaining benefits, making for a more effective (and often more soothing) formula overall.
- Price: Honey-based skin care spans a wide range of price points, so I made sure to include options for every budget.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t use honey skin care?
While honey is generally well tolerated, it isn’t necessarily right for everyone. “Most people can tolerate honey-based skin care products,” says Reszko. “That said, anyone with a known allergy or sensitivity to honey, bee-derived products, pollen or plant allergens should be cautious.”
If you fall into that category, it’s worth patch-testing any new honey-based product on a small area of skin — like your inner arm — before applying it to your face, and checking in with a dermatologist or allergist if you’re unsure about your sensitivities.
Frequently asked questions
Good news if you’re layering honey with other actives in your routine: You likely don’t have much to worry about. “Anything really goes with honey and there’s nothing off limits when it comes to pairing it with other ingredients,” says dermatologist Shamban. That means you can feel comfortable combining honey-based products with the rest of your skin care lineup without worrying about counteracting its benefits or having a bad reaction.
Meet our skin care experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Anetta Reszko is a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
- Dr. Ava Shamban is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Ava MD.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers beauty and wellness,among other topics. I have written about the best roll-on deodorants, whether beef tallow is a good moisturizer and whether or not makeup wipes are good for your skin. For this story, I spoke with two board-certified dermatologists about honey as a skin care ingredient.
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