How I Cleared My Acne with a $10 Honey Face Wash (My Routine)

My bathroom cabinet resembled a graveyard of skincare products. Half-empty bottles of salicylic acid, abandoned benzoyl peroxide creams, and expensive serums that promised miracles but only caused irritation lined the shelves. If you have oily, sensitive skin like me, you’re familiar with this cycle: a new product brings a glimmer of hope, followed by the familiar sting of disappointment and painful red breakouts, until I cleared my Acne with a $10 Honey Face Wash.

I was on the verge of giving up and resigning myself to a life of concealer. However, after consulting a holistic nutritionist, I decided to try something that seemed almost too simple to be true. I replaced my intricate routine with a single pantry staple ingredient.

This is the tale of how raw honey transformed my skincare routine, not only restoring my confidence but also clearing my acne within a month.

What is This ‘Miracle’ Ingredient?

The protagonist of my story is raw, unfiltered honey.

I’m not referring to the processed, sugary stuff in the plastic bear. I’m talking about authentic, raw honey—the cloudy, sometimes crystallized kind you can find at a farmer’s market or in the organic section of your grocery store.

For centuries, honey has been revered for its medicinal properties, and it turns out those very properties make it an effective remedy for calming angry, acne-prone skin.

Why Raw Honey Works When Other Products Failed

Before this experiment, I was using harsh cleansers that stripped my skin, leaving it tight, dry, and paradoxically, even oilier. My skin’s natural moisture barrier was compromised, resulting in increased inflammation.

Honey, on the other hand, has the opposite effect. Here’s the scientific explanation behind why it proved so effective in treating my inflammatory acne.

1. It’s a Gentle Antibacterial Cleanser

Acne, often caused by bacteria (P.acnes), can be treated with harsh chemicals that damage the skin. Raw honey, however, contains naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide and other compounds with potent antibacterial properties.

A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry demonstrates its ability to inhibit bacterial growth without stripping the skin. This makes honey an effective cleanser that respects the skin’s delicate balance.

2. It’s a Potent Anti-Inflammatory

The most bothersome aspect of my acne was the excruciating, red inflammation. Honey, a natural anti-inflammatory, effectively alleviates this redness and calms down existing blemishes. This creates an optimal healing environment for your skin, thereby minimizing the likelihood of post-acne marks.

3. It Hydrates and Balances Oil Production

Honey, a natural humectant, draws moisture from the air into your skin. Unlike foaming cleansers that strip away natural oils, triggering your skin to produce more, honey cleanses while leaving your skin hydrated and soft. This helped break my cycle of oiliness and dehydration.

4. It Provides a Mild Exfoliation

Raw honey contains gentle enzymes and gluconic acid, a mild alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). These components work together to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, preventing them from clogging pores and revealing a brighter, smoother complexion beneath. This process is achieved without the harsh scrubbing or irritation associated with physical exfoliants.

My Simple 4-Step Honey Face Wash Routine

Consistency was my top priority. I diligently followed this routine every morning and night, temporarily pausing the use of other potent actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids to truly evaluate the effectiveness of honey on its own.

Step 1: Makeup Removal (PM Only) If I had applied makeup or sunscreen, I would first use a gentle micellar water on a cotton pad to remove everything. It’s not advisable to apply honey to a full face of makeup and expect it to be effective.

Step 2: The Honey Cleanse: With my face slightly damp, I’d take about half a teaspoon of raw honey and apply it to my fingertips. I’d then warm it up slightly by rubbing my fingers together and gently massage it onto my face in slow, circular motions for a full 60 seconds. I’d focus on areas with congestion, such as my chin and forehead.

Step 3: Rinse and Pat Dry I rinsed my face thoroughly with lukewarm water, and surprisingly, it came off easily! Afterward, I gently patted my skin completely dry with a clean, soft towel. Remember, never rub your face dry, especially if you have active acne.

Step 4: Moisturize. I immediately followed up with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to lock in the hydration. This is a crucial step to maintain the health of your skin barrier.

My 4-Week Results: A Timeline

• Week 1: The most noticeable change was the absence of irritation. After washing, my skin felt soft and calm, not tight. The angry redness of my existing pimples had visibly diminished.
• Week 2: I noticed a decrease in the number of new breakouts. The small bumps on my forehead were gradually smoothing out, and my overall skin texture felt less congested.
• Week 4 marked a significant turning point in my skincare journey. My active breakouts had almost completely vanished, and my skin appeared balanced—neither too oily nor too dry. For the first time in years, I felt confident enough to step out of the house without foundation.

Important Things to Know Before You Try This

Skincare is deeply personal, and while this worked wonders for me, here are some things to keep in mind.

Always Do a Patch Test

Even natural ingredients can cause reactions. Before applying honey all over your face, apply a small amount to your inner arm or jawline and wait 24 hours to check for any allergic reactions.

Alt text: A person performing a patch test with raw honey on their inner arm to check for skin sensitivity.

Choose the Right Kind of Honey

Look for labels that indicate “raw” and “unfiltered.” Organic honey is a bonus. Manuka honey is particularly potent because of its high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO) and is often recommended for therapeutic use, but it’s more expensive. Standard raw honey was sufficient for me.

When to See a Dermatologist

This routine proved effective for my moderate, inflammatory acne. However, if you have severe, cystic acne or a diagnosed skin condition, it’s crucial to consult a board-certified dermatologist before making any changes to your prescribed regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

In a world obsessed with intricate 10-step routines and expensive “miracle” products, simplifying my skincare routine was the radical change my skin desperately needed. Raw honey provided my skin with the gentle, healing support it craved. If your skin feels irritated, inflamed, and overwhelmed, perhaps a return to simplicity is the solution you’ve been seeking.