For those who are keen to try Manuka skin care products but are concerned about potential irritations, this article will address the following pre-purchase questions:
- Will Manuka honey skin care product cause allergy?
- What is the recommended way to start Manuka skin care regime?
- Who should avoid Manuka skin care products?
- Can I use raw Manuka directly on my skin?
4 Tips on Manuka Skin Care and Allergy
This article does not dive into the health benefits details of Manuka honey. If you want to know more about Manuka’s health benefits, here are some articles that provide the information you are looking for:
Miracle for Skin
Honey has been traditionally used, especially in ancient cultures, for skin care and health treatments. What secrets do the ancient cultures know of honey that makes the golden liquid such a popular health product today that it has even found its way into our skin care products?
Without any surprise, Manuka honey, touted as the world’s most expensive honey, is a miracle honey, and is gaining popularity in skin care.
With consumers willing to pay astronomical prices for a jar of medical-grade (UMF 15+ and above) Manuka, there is now a race in the skin care industry to produce face wash, moisturizers, shampoos, face oil, etc using medical-grade Manuka as key ingredient.
So Manuka honey skin care must be good for everyone. Right? Well, not exactly. It depends on the skin profile of the user.
1. Will Manuka honey skin care product cause allergy?
Before you apply anything on your skin, it is always good to be cautious of potential allergic reaction. Read the product label carefully and look out for the allergy disclaimers.
If you are allergic to bee stings, bees products and its derivatives such as honey, bee pollens, bees wax cosmetics etc, then it is possible that Manuka skin care may not be suitable for you. Also look out for the listed ingredients on the product label to see if there is any compound that may trigger allergies.
Do a patch test. Rub some of the product on the rear of your ear, wait for a few minutes, and should you feel any warm, itchy or tingling sensation, it is possible you could be allergic to the product. The patch test is recommended for everyone regardless of whether you have any pre-knowledge of honey-related allergies.
2. What is the recommended way to start Manuka skin care regime?
Even if you have passed the patch test, do not rush into the entire new range of Manuka skin care no matter how excited you may feel.
Start off with the basic facial wash product. If you like, you may add a light moisturizer. If the product comes in lower and higher UMF ratings, go for the one with a lower UMF grade. As you can see from the product catalog, Manuka beauty skin products come in various forms and grades.
The golden rule: Start off with a milder product, and upgrade later. Once your skin has adapted, you may embark on the more exotic Manuka skin care items.
3. Who should avoid Manuka skin care products?
People with allergies to honey and bees products should likely avoid Manuka skin care. Contact the manufacturer’s hotline if any for advice.
To be sure, you can do a patch test, and to be double sure, after the patch test, consult a qualified dermatologist or doctor for a final opinion. Once you are given the green light, see the above tip for the right way to embark on your new Manuka skin care regime.
4. Can I use raw Manuka directly on my skin?
Raw Manuka honey makes a great beauty mask to soften and plump up the skin. Some of the premium facial spa establishments do offer customers the option to do Manuka mask. In fact, raw Manuka honey is part of the skin care regime of supermodels.
Raw Manuka honey, when responsibly extracted and packaged, should contain active bio enzymes and retain its antibacterial properties, and is great for repairing tissue damaged by infection and quickly ease pain and inflammation caused by acne. Manuka honey, being a natural humectant, would help to moisturize the skin, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
Hence, one may use raw Manuka as a beauty mask. However, as with any new product you are trying for the first time, the golden rule is always to do the patch test first to make sure that your skin does not react with the raw honey. Once cleared, proceed with care, start with a thin coat of Manuka, let your skin adapt before increasing the dosage and frequency.
