Age Naturally With Manuka Honey for Face Wrinkles

Published: October 15, 2025

Updated: October 15, 2025

EDUCATION

12 minutes

Essential Takeaways

Honey may be the world’s oldest natural skincare ingredient, used for millennia throughout the world to retain and restore that youthful glow¹. Today, we have the science to back up that honey’s humectant, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties are what make it effective for cleaning and clearing skin, and locking in moisture¹.

There are some studies directly linking honey with a reduction in face wrinkles, but more research needs to be done to define exactly what the mechanisms are. However, there are many more studies looking at honey for skin repair, wound healing, and other skin issues, which give us a strong indication of its exciting potential for wrinkles and anti-ageing.

With its extra potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and the most rigorous independent testing system in the world, using UMF™ Manuka honey for face wrinkles could just be the natural remedy you’ve been searching for.

“There were significant improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and overall skin health beginning at Week 2, with sustained enhancements observed until Week 8.”

Investigating the effects of a Manuka honey, royal jelly, and bee venom-derived face serum on skin health and signs of aging, a 2025 study².

Growing old gracefully: it’s what we all want for ourselves.

And since our face is usually the first thing that other people see, it tends to be a priority when it comes to skincare. But do we need to spend a fortune to turn back the clock?

Do we have any scientific evidence now that shows whether natural remedies, such as Manuka honey for face wrinkles, are effective?

That’s what this guide is all about.

In this guide to Manuka honey for face wrinkles:

What causes wrinkles and premature ageing?
Why honey is good for skincare
Is honey good for wrinkles?
Manuka honey for face wrinkles
How to use Manuka honey for face wrinkles
Soften those laughter lines with New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka honey

Research Highlights

2025 Study

This study investigated the effects of Manuka honey, royal jelly, and bee venom-derived face serum on skin health and found that: “there were significant improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and overall skin health beginning at Week 2, with sustained enhancements observed until Week 8.²”

2024 Study

This study looked at honey-based creams and confirmed that “honey is widely recognized for its potential benefits in skincare.” It found that “after 4 weeks, honey-infused creams showed notable improvements in skin moisturization (up to 29.7%), smoothness (up to 21.3%), wrinkle area reduction (up to 21.4%), and mean wrinkle depth reduction (up to 11.7%).³”

2022 Study

This study looked at the effects of using black cumin honey on wrinkles, pores, moisture and sebum, and found that “after two weeks of topical application involving 40 volunteers, we found significant effects on increasing the skin moisture (5.22%) and also reducing the skin wrinkles (8.23%), pores (6.07%), and sebum (19.81%).⁴”

2013 Review

This older review discussed the use of honey for wounds, burns, and skin conditions. It also stated that honey “exerts emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair conditioning effects, keeps the skin juvenile and retards wrinkle formation, regulates pH and prevents pathogen infections.¹”

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What Causes Wrinkles and Premature Skin Ageing?

As we all know, ageing is a natural process that changes our bodies and appearance over time. For many of us, that includes face wrinkles, and sometimes they emerge a little earlier than we might like.

So what causes these, exactly? And can we minimise or slow the process?

Typically, the factors that influence our skin health and appearance are categorised in two ways: intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Here’s what that means.

Intrinsic ageing

This refers to the internal elements that affect our skin, mainly related to genetics.

As we age, our collagen and elastin production steadily declines each year, resulting in a reduction in the elasticity of our skin and its ability to repair and renew itself. This starts at around age 20 - so by around 50, we have lost roughly 30% of our collagen⁵.

This leads to the dips and ridges in our skin known as wrinkles.

Extrinsic ageing

Extrinsic ageing refers to the external elements that affect our skin, like exposure to UV light, diet and hydration, smoking, and air pollution.

These factors can accelerate the loss of collagen and elastin, and cause oxidative stress, which damages the skin at the cellular level⁵.

Naturally, we have more control over these factors, and we can take action to help boost our skin health.

Can you slow or stop intrinsic and extrinsic ageing?

We have significantly less influence over intrinsic factors than over extrinsic ones. Whilst it’s not possible to stop the ageing process, there are things we can do to slow down (or at the very least, not accelerate) nature taking its course.

By protecting our skin from the sun’s UV rays, quitting smoking, drinking lots of water and generally taking care of our skin, we can ensure it has everything it needs to restore and renew naturally.

Even if your skin needs a little extra help, you may not need to spend a fortune on the latest skincare products to achieve optimal results.

You might even have the answer in your cupboards already.

Why Honey Is Good for Skincare

“Honey is widely recognized for its potential benefits in skincare.”

Innovative honey-based product and its beneficial effects measured by modern biophysical and imaging skin techniques, a 2024 study³.

Scientists have been studying honey in skincare for a few decades now.

The results have shown real potential in a wide range of uses, from dry and irritated skin conditions to severely infected wounds requiring deep repair and tissue regeneration⁶.

“Honey is particularly suitable as a dressing for wounds and burns and has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure.

In cosmetic formulations, it exerts emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair conditioning effects, keeps the skin juvenile and retards wrinkle formation, regulates pH and prevents pathogen infections.

Mechanisms of action on skin cells are deeply conditioned by the botanical sources and include antioxidant activity, the induction of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase expression, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition in wounded epidermis.”

Honey in dermatology and skincare: a 2013 review¹.

Working at the cellular level, honey can clean and clear skin, protect it from bacteria, lock in moisture, and boost repair³.

Here are the key skin-loving properties found in honey:

Humectant properties: Honey helps the skin to retain its moisture, softening the appearance and making it look and feel more plump³.
Antimicrobial properties: Honey has been found to exert antimicrobial effects, killing nasties on the surface of the skin and helping it repair itself⁷.
Emollient properties: Honey creates a protective barrier over the skin, locking in hydration and keeping out bacteria and unwanted microbes.
Antioxidant properties: Honey helps the skin protect itself from oxidative stress, supporting natural regeneration and renewal¹.

We have explored honey for skincare in a number of dedicated guides, some of which you can find below, or in our educational articles hub under “skincare”:

And later, you’ll find links to some recipes for making your own Manuka honey skincare products at home.

So what about wrinkles, specifically?

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Is Honey Good for Wrinkles?

Does honey on your face help to reduce wrinkles?

Whilst there is a plethora of research looking into the potential for using honey in skincare, wound healing, scars, and specific skin conditions like acne and eczema, there are fewer studies looking specifically at wrinkles (at the time of writing).

Here’s what we know so far based on recent human clinical trials:

“After 4 weeks, honey-infused creams showed notable improvements in skin moisturization (up to 29.7%), smoothness (up to 21.3%), wrinkle area reduction (up to 21.4%), and mean wrinkle depth reduction (up to 11.7%).

Among these, the increases in moisturization and reductions in wrinkle depth were statistically significant compared to the placebo.”

Innovative honey-based product and its beneficial effects measured by modern biophysical and imaging skin techniques, a 2024 study³.

“After two weeks of topical application involving 40 volunteers, we found significant effects on increasing the skin moisture (5.22%) and also reducing the skin wrinkles (8.23%), pores (6.07%), and sebum (19.81%).”

Potential effect of black cumin honey on skin wrinkles, pores, moisture, and sebum, a 2022 study⁴.

These studies have observed a reduction in wrinkles following the use of honey-based creams and serums, with participants reporting positive feedback about the ease of use.

The studies didn’t confirm exactly what is in honey that could be responsible for reducing the wrinkles, but they did flag polyphenol content as a possible key influencer of results.

Manuka honey is particularly high in polyphenols, along with other compounds that could be extra beneficial for our skin. Let’s take a look.

Manuka Honey for Face Wrinkles

Celebrated globally for its impressive health and wellness benefits⁸, Manuka honey may be a great option if you’re looking to use it for face wrinkles.

Here’s why:

High in polyphenols that are linked to overall skin health: Polyphenols are important for our bodies, protecting us from oxidative stress. They offer strong anti-inflammatory properties and have been used to treat skin diseases like Vitiligo⁹. Manuka honey is characterised as having a high polyphenol content compared with other honey types⁹.
High levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), which is antimicrobial and linked to collagen production: A number of different honey types contain MGO, but Manuka honey can contain up to 100 times more per kilogram. This is associated with its uniquely high antibacterial qualities, but it may also play a role in strengthening collagen.

A 2025 study examining a Manuka honey-based face serum that included royal jelly and bee venom was found to help reduce face wrinkles as well as other skin marks and conditions:

“There were significant improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and overall skin health beginning at Week 2, with sustained enhancements observed until Week 8.

Optic Elite analysis [a form of skin assessment technology] showed improvements in several skin health scores, providing further evidence for the serum’s effects on skin health. Participants self-reported high satisfaction with the effectiveness of the serum.”

Investigating the effects of a Manuka honey, royal jelly, and bee venom-derived face serum on skin health and signs of aging, a 2025 study².

Like other honeys, Manuka honey has a high sugar content, which gives it humectant and emollient properties - drawing out moisture from the air and locking it into the skin¹¹.

However, unlike other honeys, it also offers those extra potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Can you put Manuka honey straight on your face?

Yes, and it’s a great idea! We have a number of recipes you can make at home for your very own Manuka honey wrinkles reduction skincare routine:

Here’s what some of our customers have said about putting Manuka honey on their face:

“I absolutely love this honey. Tastes rich and it does wonders for my face as well. I will be ordering it again.”

Austin G., verified buyer | UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+

“Ordered the 20+ honey to use as a facial cleanser and have been thrilled by the results. So it's not sticky to apply, I first spray my face with low-pH water. Then I rub about a teaspoon of honey on it, let sit for a few minutes, and rinse well with low-pH water.

My sensitive skin is smoother and eczema hasn't returned. Very happy! Grateful for your bees!”

Lisa E., verified buyer | UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+

Important: Make sure to patch test Manuka honey on a small area first. Whilst Manuka honey is helpful for a range of skin conditions, this is no guarantee that it will work for you. By patch testing, you can understand how your skin responds to this raw, natural product.

Does Manuka honey get rid of wrinkles?

It’s not really possible to get rid of wrinkles entirely, but it is possible to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and this is where Manuka honey might help.

Whilst specific studies on the impacts of Manuka honey for face wrinkles are still limited, it has shown real promise in skincare more broadly.

By combining Manuka honey with a healthy, balanced lifestyle, you will give your skin the best chance of regenerating naturally and softening those facial wrinkles.

Is Manuka honey good for healthy ageing?

With its antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Manuka honey can support our overall health and wellbeing as we age.

From immunity and digestive health to easing oxidative stress in the body with a large dose of polyphenols, and even helping with the menopause, Manuka honey could be the natural remedy you’ve been searching for.

Tips for Using Manuka Honey for Face Wrinkles

Follow these simple steps to enjoy using Manuka honey for face wrinkles.

Buy the right Manuka honey

For the freshest, most authentic and highest potency Manuka honey, make sure you opt for a UMF™ graded jar.

This grading system is the most rigorous in the world and is 100% independent, so you can be sure that you’re getting a genuine Manuka honey that’s been harvested and produced in New Zealand.

The higher the UMF™ grade, the more potent. Learn more about UMF™ here.

Make your own skin balm or face mask

It’s easy to make your own Manuka honey wrinkles balm, cream, or face mask at home. Simply try one of our recipes below, or mix Manuka honey with your other favourite natural ingredients. Leave the honey on for an hour or two, then gently rinse off.

Find more ways that you can use Manuka honey in skincare and elsewhere here.

Make sure it’s part of a holistic skincare routine

Whilst Manuka honey is a potent way to help your skin, it’s no replacement for a healthy lifestyle.

Make sure you’re taking the best care of your skin by staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, reducing or avoiding smoking, getting enough sleep and living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Store your Manuka honey properly

Get the best out of your Manuka honey for longer by storing it correctly. Our jars are designed for long-term storage (although we doubt they’ll stay in the pantry for long!)

You need an airtight container kept at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, cold, or heat. We like to keep ours within easy reach of a spoon…

Soften Those Laughter Lines with Manuka Honey from New Zealand Honey Co.

Your face deserves the best, and thankfully, you’ve found it.

Our UMF™ certified Manuka honeys are pure, raw, fresh, potent, monofloral, and produced and packaged exclusively in New Zealand.

Packed full of the good stuff like methylglyoxal and polyphenols, this honey will give you the antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory boost that your skin needs to look and feel its best.

You needn’t go anywhere else. We only deal with real.

“I love this Manuka Honey! I’ve tried many different companies and prefer NZHC the best. I am using mine internally and externally and it has exceeded my expectations. Very high quality!”