Is Honey Good for Oily Skin?

Rich in skin-loving nutrients and abundant with beneficial properties, you simply can’t go wrong with honey when it comes to natural beauty and skincare. Using honey for oily skin is one of the most effective ways to balance the skin and reduce excess sebum production.

Honey is also revered for its soothing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that may help to reduce redness and breakouts. Thanks to its natural moisturizing benefits, honey can provide a healthy, dewy glow to the skin without making it look oily or shiny.

Let’s take a deeper look at the properties that make honey a perfect choice for oily skin and the many ways to use it.

So, Is Honey Good for Oily Skin?

Yes, honey is good for oily skin. Countless cultures across the globe have enjoyed the therapeutic and beauty benefits of honey for centuries. Modern medicine has proven that honey can promote skin cell regeneration and prevent infection. These qualities make honey especially useful for oily and acne-prone skin.

What Causes Oily Skin?

Knowing the primary causes of oily skin can help you understand why honey is ideal for treating it. Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands in your skin produce more sebum, or oil, than is necessary to keep the skin moisturized.

Sometimes oily skin and acne are related to genetics or hormonal changes. But excess oil production can also be triggered by dehydrated skin overcompensating for the lack of moisture by producing excessive amounts of sebum.

Overactive sebaceous glands can also be a side effect of using harsh skincare products that aren’t suitable for your skin type. For example, using cleansers and astringents that dry out the skin can trigger even more oil production and exacerbate the problem.

Let’s explore the unique properties of honey that make it an ideal component in a skin care routine for oily skin.

5 Honey Benefits for Oily Skin

Honey has boundless benefits for the skin, thanks to its unique composition and powerhouse of nutrients. Here are some of the critical benefits of honey for oily and acne-prone skin.

1. Reduces Acne and Redness

Honey has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an effective solution for many skincare concerns, from treating chapped lips to preventing breakouts. The natural enzymes in honey also release potent acne fighters like hydrogen peroxide, phenolic acid, and flavonoids.

Clogged pores are a common issue for those with oily skin and a leading cause of breakouts. The naturally occurring enzymes in honey also give it clarifying properties that help keep the pores clear of dirt and oil. This is essential for reducing acne and blackheads.

2. Hydrates Without Clogging Pores

Many people with oily skin avoid using traditional moisturizers because they can leave the skin feeling oily or greasy. Unfortunately, dehydrated skin often compensates by increasing oil production.

Honey is ideal for hydrating oily skin because it is a natural humectant. That means it hydrates the skin by drawing moisture from the air. This leaves the skin soft, supple, and moist without clogging the pores.

3. Reduces Excess Oil Production

Honey can be applied to the scalp or face to promote a healthy moisture balance without oiliness. Honey also promotes the pH balance of the skin and regulates overactive sebaceous glands without causing the dryness that triggers excess oil production.  

4. Reinforces the Skin Barrier

Honey is loaded with powerful antioxidants, reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier by protecting it from free radical damage and environmental factors. Antioxidants also accelerate the healing of the skin to promote overall skin health and make the skin more resilient.

5. Regenerates and Brightens

Honey has regenerative and brightening effects that offer anti-aging benefits for oily skin without causing irritation that can contribute to redness and breakouts. The natural enzymes and antioxidants in honey are also helpful for reducing sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and acne scarring.

How to Use Honey for Oily Skin

Honey is a versatile, multitasking ingredient that can be used for oily skin in several ways. Apply it directly to the skin as a treatment for acne and excess oil, or incorporate it into your routine as an ingredient in your skincare products. A perfect example is Gisou’s Honey Infused Face Oil. 

Our Honey Infused Face Oil is made from 95.7% cold-pressed botanical oils and sustainably sourced Mirsalehi Honey from our own Mirsalehi Bee Garden. This unique non-comedogenic formulation balances the skin’s sebum production and reduces breakouts caused by clogged pores.

Honey Infused Face Oil can be used daily in the morning and night on oily skin in place of your regular moisturizer. A little goes a long way. Start with just a drop or two and be sure to let the product absorb completely before applying makeup.

What Can I Mix with Honey for Oily Skin?

If you want to make your own home remedy for oily skin, there are several natural combinations you can try.

Lemon Juice and Olive Oil: Combining equal parts honey and olive oil with a squeeze of lemon juice creates a refreshing and rejuvenating honey face mask. This combination brightens, hydrates, tightens pores, and minimizes excess oil production.

Oatmeal: Honey can be combined with oatmeal to make a face mask or gentle scrub to remove dead skin cells. Both ingredients are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants to reduce redness and breakouts.

Yogurt: Yogurt and honey can be used to make a face mask that controls oil production without drying out the skin. Yogurt also has mild astringent and exfoliating properties that help to tighten and unclog the pores.

Milk: Milk and honey can be combined to make a nourishing cleanser for oily skin. Milk contains lactic acid, which is a gentle exfoliant. This combination is ideal for brightening the skin and unclogging the pores.

Egg White: A face mask made from honey and egg white is an ideal combination for extremely oily skin. The egg white tightens pores and evens out the skin tone, while the honey balances oil levels in the skin. The result is fresh, glowing, balanced skin.

Wrapping Up

Consider incorporating honey into your daily skincare routine if you suffer from oily skin or acne caused by clogged pores and bacteria. It can help to regulate oil production and keep the pores clear while reducing the inflammation that often contributes to breakouts. Gisou’s Honey Infused Face Oil is non-comedogenic and a great place to start!