The beauty industry is packed with amazing branding, packaging and stories, but what many of us don’t realize is that the story behind many commercial products’ ingredients is less than pretty. Over the course of the last 5 years, I have been on a mission to bring awareness to the clean beauty industry and inspire others to live a life focused on wellness. Beauty is more than skin deep. It’s about how much you let your body move, sleep and rest. Stress, diet and other environmental factors play a huge role in your physical (and emotional) body. While much of what you eat contributes to your skin’s appearance, some of the foods you eat can be used for skin therapy. Today, I’m sharing my top 3 favorite Manuka honey facial masks that you can whip up in your kitchen in no time. Manuka honey is well known in the natural beauty field for, well, almost everything. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces redness and can heal burns, scars, inflamed skin and eczema. Additionally, it helps oxygenate the pores to draw out bacteria, drastically improving acne-prone skin. This honey comes with different “potencies,” so check the label for the UMF factor. I usually use 16+. If you don’t have Manuka honey in your cupboard, just use any raw and organic honey. Many of the same benefits are found in regular raw honey as well. Mask 1 - Manuka Honey + Rolled Oats for Moisture & Exfoliation One of my favorite homemade DIY face masks is Manuka honey from Wedderspoon combined with rolled oats. All of the following masks can be applied everywhere on your face, except around the eyes and mouth. You can also leave them on for a while - I usually leave them on for 30 minutes. Directions Mix 1 tablespoon (tbsp) of rolled oats with 1 - 2 tbsp. of Manuka honey. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) of filtered warm water. Apply the mask to your face. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. The oats in this mask help exfoliate the skin when they are rinsed out with warm water. Mask 2 - Manuka Honey + Spirulina Mask for Nourishing This mask is great for all skin types. It contains chlorophyll and tons of antioxidants, which are great for nourishing the skin. Directions Mix 1/2 tsp of spirulina with 1 - 2 tbsp of Manuka honey. Mix in 1/2 tsp of rosewater or filtered warm water. Apply the mask to your face. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Mask 3 - Manuka Honey + Turmeric Mask for Inflammation Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory herb. It can help reduce redness and treat breakouts. It also helps brighten the skin, making it a great aid in treating age spots and other pigmentation issues. Directions Mix a 1/2 tsp of turmeric with 1 - 2 tbsp of Manuka honey. Mix in 1/2 tsp of water. Apply the mask to your face. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Make sure to cleanse the skin well after this mask, as the turmeric can lightly stain the skin. Oil cleansing can help remove any remaining yellow hue. Enjoy!
