Honey Face Wash: How to Cleanse Gently With Honey

Why people use honey to cleanse

Many cleansers contain foaming agents that can strip natural oils and leave skin tight. Honey is a non-foaming, mildly acidic substance that dissolves in water. It can lift light dirt and oil while leaving skin feeling soft.

A review of honey in dermatology and skin care describes honey's humectant, emollient and mild antibacterial roles in cosmetics.

How to do a honey face wash

Wet your face with lukewarm water. Take about half a teaspoon of honey, warm it between your fingertips and massage gently over your face for 30 to 60 seconds, avoiding the eyes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel. Apply moisturizer.

Use it once a day, usually in the morning when skin has less to remove.

• Lukewarm water, not hot
• About half a teaspoon of honey
• 30 to 60 seconds of gentle massage
• Thorough rinse
• Moisturizer afterward

Honey face wash limits

Honey does not dissolve oil-based makeup or water-resistant sunscreen well. At night, use a gentle cleanser or cleansing balm first, then a honey face wash if you like.

Honey is not an acne treatment. People with acne usually benefit from ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinoids. Our article on honey for skin explains what honey can and cannot do.

Who a honey face wash may suit

People with normal to dry skin who find foaming cleansers too harsh often enjoy honey cleansing. People with oily skin may find it does not remove enough oil. People with very sensitive skin, rosacea or eczema should check with a dermatologist first.

Variations people try

Some mix honey with a little plain yogurt for a creamier wash, or with finely ground oats for gentle texture. Avoid adding lemon juice, baking soda or cinnamon, which can irritate or burn skin.

Our article on honey and oats shares breakfast ideas if you have extra oats.

Patch test first

Apply a small amount of honey to your inner forearm and wait 24 hours. People with pollen or bee product allergies can react. See our article on honey allergy.

Hygiene tips

Use a clean spoon to take honey from the jar, or keep a small separate jar for skin care. Wet fingers dipped into honey can introduce water and microbes, which may lead to fermentation.

Dermatologist cleansing basics

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face twice a day and after sweating, using lukewarm water and a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, applying with fingertips and patting dry. Avoid scrubbing, which irritates skin.

Honey face wash for men

A honey face wash can be soothing before shaving because it leaves skin soft. Rinse well so the razor glides smoothly. Our article on honey for beard covers beard care.

When to see a dermatologist

If you have persistent acne, redness, rashes or skin that reacts to many products, a dermatologist can help build a routine that works for your skin.

Honey face wash: the takeaway

A honey face wash is a gentle, enjoyable way to cleanse lightly. Pair it with a proper makeup remover at night, moisturizer afterward and sunscreen in the morning.

Honey face wash and the skin barrier

Healthy skin has a slightly acidic surface, often called the acid mantle, which helps protect against microbes and keeps the skin barrier strong. Some harsh soaps are alkaline and can disrupt this balance. Honey is naturally acidic, with a pH around 3.9, so a honey face wash is unlikely to push skin toward alkaline.

Our article on honey pH level explains honey's acidity in more detail.

Honey face wash routine example

Morning: honey face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen. Evening: cleansing balm or gentle cleanser to remove sunscreen and makeup, optional honey face wash, any treatment product your dermatologist recommends, then moisturizer.

Keep routines simple. Adding too many products at once makes it hard to know what helps or irritates.

Keep a jar handy

Al Safa honey is raw food honey, never heated above hive temperature. We sell it for eating, but many people enjoy pure honey in their weekend skin care too.

Explore our honeys in the shop.