EDUCATION

How to Find the Best Manuka Honey for Your Skin

EDUCATION

13 minutes

Essential Takeaways

Manuka honey’s skincare benefits come from its high antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and ability to deeply hydrate the skin. Higher UMF™ grades (15+ and above) are especially effective for managing acne, eczema, and other skin conditions, while lower grades are ideal for daily hydration and maintenance.

Choosing authentic, UMF™-certified Manuka honey ensures you’re getting pure, potent honey with verified MGO levels that you can trust. Always perform a patch test before use, and apply as part of a consistent skincare routine to maximise its healing, soothing, and protective effects.

At New Zealand Honey Co., we are committed to referencing credible scientific research so that you can trust the information we provide. Sources are hyperlinked for easy access.

Honey has been a part of human history since around 7000BC.

This liquid gold was used as currency by the Egyptians, associated with royalty and riches, and offered to their gods. It was even used in the embalming process, part of many marriage dowries, and bees were thought to have special powers.

Not only that, but Cleopatra even used honey as part of her beauty routine.

The Ancient Greeks also favoured honey for spiritual uses, as well as in beauty, food and medicine. Honey remained a sought-after ingredient right up until the explosion of sugar as a commodity, just a few centuries ago.

These early civilisations were clearly onto something: honey is versatile and excellent for many things, including skincare and beauty.

Of all the honeys in the world, Manuka honey from New Zealand is the most prized for skincare. Its high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), dense texture, and strict quality regulations make it stand out as a natural option for supporting everything from dry skin to blemishes and surface healing.

But high demand has brought challenges. Manuka honey is now among the most faked foods globally, with many products on the market being overly processed, diluted, and adulterated in other ways. That’s why it’s essential to know how to identify genuine, UMF™-certified Manuka honey that actually delivers on its promises.

If you’re looking for the best Manuka honey for skin, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn the key things you need to know before buying, then when you're ready, head over to our store to get top-quality UMF™ certified Manuka honey.

In this best Manuka honey for skincare guide, we’ll delve into:

What’s The Hype About Manuka Honey For Face & Skin?

Manuka honey has become one of the most talked-about natural ingredients in skincare for good reason.

People today want simple, effective routines without unnecessary chemicals, and Manuka honey offers exactly that - a single, powerful ingredient with centuries of traditional use and strong modern demand.

What makes it even more special is its scarcity. The highest, most potent grades of Manuka honey can only be produced when the perfect synergy of climate, soil, plant, and bee health align - and New Zealand beekeepers have just a short 2–8 week flowering season each year to harvest it.

This limited window, combined with strict quality standards, is why authentic, high-grade Manuka honey is rare and highly prized worldwide.

Why is Manuka honey good for skin?

When it comes to skincare, we have a few bases that we generally want to cover. From moisture retention to antibacterial defences and healing, studies have shown that Manuka honey has the potential to do all these things for us because:

  • Hydration and softness: Manuka honey acts as a humectant (drawing water into the skin) and an emollient (softening and smoothing). That makes it ideal for tackling dryness and restoring comfort.

  • Surface protection: Naturally occurring compounds, including methylglyoxal (MGO), help keep the skin’s surface balanced and clear.

  • Skin-friendly pH: Honey can help to regulate pH levels, supporting the skin barrier to stay healthy.

  • Rich, dense texture: Unlike runny supermarket honey, genuine Manuka honey sits exactly where you apply it (assuming you're not in an extremely hot climate), forming a soothing layer whether you’re masking or spot treating.

  • Preventing infection: Manuka honey has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, helping to prevent the skin's surface from infection and supporting healthy healing.

  • Versatility: From daily dryness and acne-prone skin to supporting scarred areas and calming reactive patches, people use Manuka honey in many different ways.

Together, these qualities explain why you’ll see Manuka honey in everything from luxury beauty products to DIY masks at home.

Tip: Always choose UMF™-certified Manuka honey when using it for skincare. This guarantees authenticity and potency, and gives the best chances of getting the results you expect.

Further reading:

But is Manuka honey for skincare safe for everyone? Let's take a look...

Safety tips for topical use

Manuka honey is gentle on skin and perfectly fine for most people, but everyone’s skin is different. Here are a few quick tips if you're worried that it might cause irritation:

  • Do a patch test first: Apply a small amount to your inner arm and check over the next 24 hours for any irritation.

  • Skip if you’re allergic to bee products: Even natural ingredients can cause reactions if you have sensitivities.

  • Get professional advice for serious skin issues: For persistent eczema, severe acne, or infected wounds, it’s best to see a dermatologist.

  • Not for infants under 12 months: Avoid using Manuka honey with babies. Not only is their skin more delicate, but an infant's digestive system doesn't develop enough to process honey until 1 year of age and can cause serious illness if eaten. More information here.

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Best Manuka Honey For Specific Skincare Issues

Manuka honey can support a wide range of skin needs, but different concerns may benefit from different approaches. Below, we’ve highlighted the most common uses people ask about - from dry or sensitive skin through to acne, eczema, and even minor cuts or burns.

For each, we’ll share why Manuka honey is often chosen, which UMF™ grade we recommend, and where you can learn more from our in-depth guides.

Best Manuka honey for dry skin

The natural sugars in Manuka honey make it both a humectant (drawing moisture into the skin) and an emollient (softening and smoothing).

This means that when used on dry skin, Manuka honey can help lock in moisture, keep skin hydrated, and help soften fine lines and wrinkles - making it perfect for drier skin and potentially for conditions that cause dryness.

“My mom has very dry skin due to a thyroid condition, and I have some eczema as well. I was looking for something to help, and when I started using New Zealand Honey Co.'s UMF™ 24+ Manuka honey, I was amazed. It worked right away for abrasions and dry, rough skin.”

- New Zealand Honey Co. customer | Read the full story here.

Product to try: We recommend any of our Manuka honeys UMF™ 15+ or higher (the higher the better!) for best results when hydrating dry skin.

Recommended recipe: Hydrating Whipped Beef Tallow Honey Balm Recipe

Best Manuka honey for eczema and psoriasis

Eczema can be itchy, sore, and difficult to manage, but Manuka honey may offer some relief. Research highlights how it could help:

“Manuka honey has been demonstrated to significantly decrease the growth and reduce the spread of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that is associated with eczema. This is particularly important in light of antibiotic-resistant infections.”

- Derm Collective (referencing this study)

The compound most closely linked to this activity is methylglyoxal (MGO). While many regular honeys contain MGO, Manuka has been found to contain up to 100 times more.

This gives it stronger antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects that may help skin recover more comfortably.

“Application of Manuka honey to the skin is thought to help in killing harmful bacteria, reducing or removing the incidence of eczema outbreaks.

By treating the eczema-affected area it’s thought to help keep the zone moist which helps to reduce flare-ups and aids the skin’s recovery.

The high viscosity of honey is also thought to form a barrier for the skin which is helpful in preventing infection in the first place.”

- Article from Scratch Sleeves

Product(s) to try: For eczema or psoriasis-prone skin, we recommend UMF™ 20+ or UMF™ 24+. For more stubborn or reactive patches, UMF™ 26+ or higher may be the most effective.

Read more: Is Manuka honey good for eczema?

Research paper: Specific non-peroxide antibacterial effect of manuka honey on the Staphylococcus aureus proteome

Best Manuka honey for acne-prone skin

Acne is often triggered by bacteria on the skin, clogged pores, and surface inflammation. Manuka honey may help by addressing several of these factors.

“[Manuka Honey] can balance your skin’s pH level and help slough away dead cell debris to keep your skin clean. Its anti-inflammatory effect can decrease local inflammation caused by acne. As an antibacterial, Manuka Honey leaves fewer bacteria to infect pores and cause acne. This honey can heal existing pimples, as well.”

Thanks to its high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), Manuka honey has strong antibacterial activity. Combined with its natural anti-inflammatory and hydrating effects, it offers a gentle way to calm the look of redness and support clearer, more balanced skin.

Product to try: We recommend our UMF™ 24+ Manuka honey or higher.

Read more: What is the best Manuka honey for acne?

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Best Manuka honey for burns and wounds

Manuka Honey has made a medical comeback in recent years, being used topically as a wound treatment, including for medical purposes in hospitals and clinical settings where 'tissue engineering' is required for healing.

“In vitro and in vivo evidence shows that honey, particularly Manuka Honey, eliminates bacteria, resolves chronic inflammation, and promotes faster wound healing. Its potency against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA, makes it a particularly invaluable tool in an age where more strains of resistant bacteria are developing.

As such, honey is a valuable addition to many tissue engineering templates in eliminating bacterial infection, aiding in inflammation resolution, and improving tissue integration with the template.”

Its strong antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and thick, protective texture make it especially well-suited for supporting the skin as it recovers from burns, scrapes, or other surface wounds.

Product(s) to try: When it comes to wound healing, you want the greatest concentration of antibacterial properties available. This comes from the higher grades of our products, such as UMF™ 26+, UMF™ 28+, and UMF™ 30+ Manuka honey.

Read more:

How to Ensure You Buy the Best Quality Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is one of the most counterfeited foods in the world, so knowing what to look for is essential.

The most reliable marker is the UMF™ (Unique Manuka Factor) quality certification, which confirms:

  • The honey is authentic monofloral (originates from one flower) Manuka honey from New Zealand, tested for its key compounds (MGO, leptosperin, DHA, HMF).

  • The grade reflects its potency - higher UMF™ numbers mean a more milligrams per kilogram of methylglyoxal (MGO), the key active antibacterial compound.

  • The honey is fresh, pure, safe, and hasn't been tampered with to increase its MGO levels.

  • The product is tested by a reputable independent laboratory and sold by a regulated UMFHA-licensed company.

Tip: Think of UMF™ like SPF in sunscreen - the higher the number, the stronger the product.

When shopping for genuine Manuka honey, check the label for:

  • A UMF™ trademark and grade

  • A UMF™ rating of 10+ or more

  • The licence number and brand name

  • Packed in New Zealand

  • Bonus: ability to trace the honey back to the batch number and source (we provide this information for every jar sold, which you can find here)

For a breakdown of UMF™ vs. MGO levels, check out our handy calculator here.

The highest grades of Manuka honey we produce are UMF™ 28+ I MGO 1450+ and UMF™ 30+ I MGO 1620+, which are among the highest ever made worldwide.

More info: check our accreditations and certifications here (including glyphosate-free, independent testing, halal, kosher, and more).

Reading UMF™ labels and what to look for

When you shop for your Manuka honey, check its label. If its MGO (or MG) level is shown but not a UMF™ rating, bear in mind that MGO is not regulated in the same way that UMF™ is.

So ideally, you want a brand that is transparent and displays at least the UMF™, if not both:

Our Top Manuka Honey Product Picks For Skincare

In order to get the best results from adding Manuka Honey to your skincare, we recommend opting for the highest grade options. Here are our top 3:

1: New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey UMF™ 26+ | MGO 1282+

Manuka honey UMF™ 26+ | MGO 1282+ is scarce in quantity and powerful in performance. Only a very small proportion of honey ever makes it to this grade.

Renowned for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this grade of Manuka honey can be used for wound care and helping burns to recover, among many other things.

2: New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+

Our UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+ offers a wealth of potential benefits when added to your daily skincare routine, with potent levels of MGO.

3: New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+

Our UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+ Manuka honey boasts a similar level of essential vitality and natural power as its siblings, just at a slightly lower concentration (and price point).

As with our entire range, it is raw honey, non-GMO, contains no additives and adheres to the same strict independent testing as all of our products.

Lower grades (such as UMF™ 15+) can still be useful for everyday skincare usage, while UMF™ 28+ and UMF™ 30+ are our most premium, potent, rare and exclusive grades.

Easy Recipes to Kickstart Your Manuka Honey Skincare Regimen

Natural skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are some simple ways to use Manuka honey at home:

Tip: Even with natural ingredients, always do a quick patch test before trying new recipes on your skin.

Give Your Skin Nothing Less Than The Best With Manuka Honey

Your skin deserves pure, powerful care - not imitations.

At New Zealand Honey Co., our Manuka honey is UMF™-certified, independently tested, and glyphosate-free, so you know you’re getting the real deal with proven activity.

We passionately believe in producing authentic Manuka honey and helping more people to enjoy its wide range of health benefits.

This means transparency, so that you can be confident that you are giving your skin the very best in natural goodness that Manuka honey has to offer.

Shop our range here.

Unsure which grade is right for you? Take our quiz here.

Suggested further reading:

Your wellness journey starts with a spoonful a day.

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