Can Honey Really Help Face Acne Scars?

Have you cured your acne, but the scars are still on your face? It can be disappointing to have almost clear skin after going through all the work to get rid of your pimples. Depending on the severity of your acne, the scars they leave on your skin can last for what feels like forever. Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules are mild pimples. They won't leave any long-term scars unless you pick or squeeze your skin. That's why it's not recommended to pop your pimples. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, nodules and cysts are inflammatory types of acne that will cause scars deep in your skin.

Medical aesthetician Annie Christenson explained to Houston Methodist that scaring occurs when a breakout grows deep in the skin, causing trauma to the tissue. There are two different types of acne scarring. The first is discoloration, which is when the area where a pimple was stays a darker color even though the breakout has healed. The other type is indentation scarring. This looks like indentations on the skin because the top layer hasn't fully recovered from severe acne. These scars can stay on the face for a long time, but there are methods to promote healing.

Honey is not just for consumption. It is also a home remedy for acne and the scars they leave. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This means that applying honey to your skin will prevent bacteria growth, swelling, and redness. First Honey recommends using medical-grade Mānuka honey for the best results because it also promotes the fibroblasts in your skin to heal the scars faster.

Before using honey to treat your face acne scars, you need to know if you are allergic to bees. If so, applying honey to your skin will only make your acne worse. To effectively apply honey to your face, you'll need to wash it first. Dabur Honey recommends using warm water with a gentle cleanser and skipping drying with a towel. Once your face has air-dried, apply a layer of honey and let it soak into your skin. After 20 minutes, you can rinse it off. You should continue doing this every day for a few months.

Even though many people believe that honey is an effective ingredient to heal acne scars, it is only a home remedy. Exposed Skincare explains that there aren't enough studies and research to prove that honey is good for treating acne or the scarring it may cause. Since there is no proof that it works, you can't know that it will help your skin like other products. If you don't want to purchase over-the-counter products or consult a dermatologist, trying honey is a good option, though, since applying it topically has no adverse effects.

That said, using products with ingredients proven to treat acne scars effectively takes the guessing out of your skincare routine. Look for products with ingredients like salicylic acid, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and retinoids (via the Cleveland Clinic). Depending on how stubborn your scarring is, you might need to use a more intense treatment. With the advice of a dermatologist, you may benefit from chemical peels, laser resurfacing, or steroid injections.