Is Honey Anti-Inflammatory Topically? Understanding Its Skin Benefits

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

Scientific research shows that honey, particularly medical-grade and raw honey, contains a complex mix of compounds that provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits when applied topically. Its use dates back thousands of years as a natural remedy for burns, wounds, and skin irritations.

Quick Summary

Honey possesses anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, supported by its antibacterial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Active compounds like flavonoids and phenolic acids help reduce redness, swelling, and cytokine production, aiding in skin repair and soothing inflammatory conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

Key Points

Proven Effectiveness: Numerous studies confirm honey's anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, particularly for wounds, burns, and chronic skin issues like eczema and acne.
Rich in Antioxidants: Honey is packed with flavonoids and phenolic acids that neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, a primary cause of inflammation.
Modulates Immune Response: Honey's compounds regulate inflammatory cytokines and inhibit enzymes like COX-2, which helps calm excessive inflammatory reactions.
Combats Infections: Its powerful antibacterial properties, including osmotic effect and hydrogen peroxide production, help reduce inflammation by preventing or treating microbial infections.
Medical-Grade is Safest for Wounds: For serious cuts and burns, sterilized medical-grade honey (e.g., Medihoney) is recommended to ensure safety and prevent bacterial contamination.
Variety Matters: Different types of honey, like Manuka and Kanuka, offer varying levels of anti-inflammatory potency due to their specific botanical origin and chemical makeup.
Patch Test First: Always perform a patch test before topical application, especially for those with allergies to pollen, bees, or related products.

The Science Behind Honey's Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Skin

The topical application of honey for inflammatory skin conditions has a long history, but modern science now provides compelling evidence for its effectiveness. Honey’s ability to combat inflammation on the skin is multifaceted, relying on a combination of its chemical composition and unique properties. This natural substance works through several key mechanisms to soothe and heal inflamed tissue.

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity

Honey is rich in bioactive compounds, primarily flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are potent antioxidants. These compounds play a critical role in mitigating inflammation by neutralizing free radicals, also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), that cause tissue damage and trigger the inflammatory response. By reducing oxidative stress, honey helps to calm irritated skin and create a more favorable environment for healing.

Flavonoids: Act as powerful antioxidants and modulate immune responses.
Phenolic Acids: Contribute to honey's anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators.
Vitamin C and Enzymes: Other components like Vitamin C and enzymes such as glucose oxidase also contribute to honey’s overall antioxidant capacity.

Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokines and Enzymes

Inflammation is a complex process mediated by various signaling proteins, or cytokines, and enzymes. Studies have shown that honey and its components can downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. By inhibiting these signaling proteins, honey can help prevent the excessive inflammatory reactions that cause chronic tissue damage. Additionally, honey can modulate key enzymes involved in inflammation, like cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), further suppressing the inflammatory cascade.

Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Properties

Often, skin inflammation is caused or exacerbated by a microbial infection. Honey's renowned antibacterial properties directly address this root cause. Its high sugar content creates an osmotic effect that draws moisture out of bacteria, dehydrating and killing them. Furthermore, the enzyme glucose oxidase in honey produces a low, sustained level of hydrogen peroxide, providing antiseptic action without harming healthy tissue. This antimicrobial action helps prevent infection, thereby reducing the inflammation that accompanies it. In wound care, this process helps to create a clean, moist environment conducive to faster healing and tissue regeneration.

Comparison of Honey Types for Topical Application


Feature	Raw Honey	Medical-Grade Honey (e.g., Manuka)	Processed Honey
Processing	Unpasteurized and unfiltered; contains bee pollen and propolis.	Sterilized by gamma irradiation to remove bacteria, preserving active components.	Heated and filtered, which can remove beneficial enzymes and compounds.
Anti-Inflammatory Strength	Retains all natural anti-inflammatory compounds, but potency varies.	Standardized potency, often higher due to concentration of active compounds like MGO.	Reduced anti-inflammatory effects due to heat processing.
Safety for Wounds	Not sterile; carries a risk of botulism spores in rare cases.	Safest option for open wounds, burns, and surgical sites due to sterilization.	Not recommended for medicinal use on wounds due to processing.
Best For	General skincare, facial masks, minor irritations.	Serious wound management and chronic skin conditions under medical supervision.	Primarily culinary use; provides minimal topical benefit.

How to Use Honey Topically for Anti-Inflammatory Effects

For mild skin irritations or general skincare, you can incorporate raw or medical-grade honey into your routine. However, for more serious conditions, always consult a healthcare professional. A crucial first step is to perform a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any allergic reactions before applying it more widely.

Honey Face Mask: For skin hydration and calming, apply a thin layer of raw honey to clean, damp skin. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Exfoliating Scrub: Mix one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of finely ground oatmeal or brown sugar. Gently massage onto the skin in circular motions before rinsing off.
Spot Treatment: For inflamed blemishes or minor spots, apply a small dab of raw honey directly to the area and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
Honey and Turmeric Paste: Turmeric is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Combine three parts honey with one part turmeric powder to create a paste for targeted application on inflamed areas.

Potential Risks and Precautions

While honey is generally safe for topical use, it is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with allergies to bees, bee pollen, or celery should avoid applying honey to their skin. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include redness, swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing. For open wounds and severe burns, medical-grade honey is the only safe option, as raw honey may contain bacterial spores. Due to its sticky nature, it should always be removed thoroughly from the skin before sleeping to avoid attracting dust and debris, which could worsen skin conditions.

Conclusion: Honey's Role in Topical Anti-Inflammatory Care

Is honey anti-inflammatory topically? The answer is a resounding yes, backed by extensive scientific literature and historical use. The therapeutic benefits are attributed to its complex composition of bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and antimicrobial agents that work synergistically to reduce inflammation, neutralize oxidative stress, and promote effective wound healing. While raw honey is beneficial for general skincare and minor irritations, medical-grade honey offers a safer, more potent option for treating serious wounds and inflammatory skin conditions under professional guidance. It serves as a promising natural alternative or complementary therapy in managing skin inflammation, underscoring the ongoing value of traditional remedies in modern medicine.

Scientific Research on Honey's Benefits

Modern research has extensively documented honey's dermatological applications. One systematic review noted that honey significantly reduces inflammation and improves healing times for partial-thickness burns compared to conventional dressings. A 2023 study found that Manuka honey can activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which plays a role in reducing skin inflammation, suggesting its potential for allergic skin diseases. The ability of honey to disrupt bacterial biofilms, a key factor in antibiotic resistance, further enhances its therapeutic potential for chronic wound infections. Research continues to explore the full potential of honey's bioactive components and their specific mechanisms of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

For topical use, raw or medical-grade honey is best. Manuka honey is particularly well-researched and often recommended for its potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, especially for wounds.

Regular, processed supermarket honey is often heated and filtered, which can remove beneficial enzymes and pollen. For the most potent anti-inflammatory effects, raw or medical-grade honey is preferable. Processed honey may also contain added sugars or syrups.

Apply a tiny amount of honey to a small, discreet area of your skin, like your inner arm, and wait for at least 20 minutes. If you experience redness, irritation, swelling, or itching, do not use the honey on larger areas.

For an open wound, it is safest to use medical-grade honey, which is sterilized to prevent infection. Raw honey may contain bacterial spores that could be harmful if introduced into a deep wound.

While rare, risks include allergic reactions, particularly for those with allergies to pollen or bees. Honey is also sticky and, if left on too long, could attract dust or clog pores for those with oily skin.

For general skincare, a honey mask can be left on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off. It is not recommended to leave honey on the skin overnight, as it can be messy and attract debris.

Yes, honey's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the bacteria that contribute to acne and calm the associated redness and swelling. Applying it as a spot treatment or face mask can be beneficial.