Topical Manuka honey has a small but real evidence base: one small randomized trial in adults for eczema, and a more recent randomized trial reporting results comparable to a standard prescription treatment for acne. Both are promising but limited in scale. No study has shown that a higher UMF or MGO grade works better for either use.
Eczema: What the Research Actually Shows
A 2017 study in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease examined Manuka honey in 16 adults with atopic dermatitis. Participants applied Manuka honey overnight to one eczema lesion for 7 days, while a matched lesion remained untreated. Fourteen completed the study, and the honey-treated lesions improved significantly more than the untreated lesions.
A related laboratory study found that Manuka honey reduced mast-cell degranulation and IL-4-induced CCL26 release, mechanisms associated with allergic and inflammatory skin reactions. However, it did not significantly change skin Staphylococcus levels.
Key points:
- Small study with 14 completers.
- Honey-treated lesions improved more than controls.
- Lab results suggest possible anti-inflammatory activity.
- The evidence is limited and needs larger, replicated studies.
- A newer randomized trial is reportedly studying a Manuka oil-based eczema product.
Medical-review note: The study is small, so the findings should be described as preliminary rather than proof that Manuka honey treats eczema. The reason for the two withdrawals should also be confirmed against the primary study before being stated.
Acne: What the Research Actually Shows
A recent randomized trial (NCT06175819) tested MGO 850, UMF 20+ Manuka honey in nanofiber and gel forms against clindamycin 1% gel for mild-to-moderate acne over 4 weeks. All groups improved, and the Manuka honey groups were reportedly associated with greater improvement. The study also measured IL-1β, IL-17, and CRP.
However, the trial registry does not provide full statistical results or p-values. The findings should therefore be presented as reported trial outcomes until confirmed by a peer-reviewed publication.
A separate 2016 BMJ Open trial studied kanuka honey, not Manuka honey. In 136 participants, adding kanuka honey to antibacterial soap did not produce a statistically significant improvement over soap alone.
Key points:
- A recent trial reported promising results for Manuka honey.
- The tested honey was MGO 850, UMF 20+.
- Full statistical results still need independent verification.
- Kanuka honey and Manuka honey are different products.
- The 2016 kanuka trial found no statistically significant benefit.
Medical-review note: Avoid presenting the recent acne findings as established clinical evidence until the full peer-reviewed results are available. The kanuka study should not be used as direct evidence for or against Manuka honey.
What Grade the Research Used (and What It Didn’t Establish)
The eczema trial used Manuka honey without a specified UMF or MGO grade in the published research. The acne trial specified MGO 850, UMF 20+ for both its honey arms. The kanuka trial used a kanuka-specific medical-grade product, not a UMF or MGO figure at all, since kanuka honey isn’t graded on the same system.
No study reviewed here compared different UMF or MGO grades against each other for a skin outcome. The acne trial used a high-grade Manuka (MGO 850, UMF 20+), but because it didn’t compare that grade to lower grades, it can’t establish that higher grades actually work better topically, it simply tells you what grade that particular trial happened to use. That means there’s no evidence that a higher grade performs better topically than a lower one, a real, useful correction given that premium grades are sometimes marketed for skin use with no comparison data behind that claim.
How It Was Applied in These Studies
This describes the research methods, not a personal how-to. In the eczema trial, honey was applied directly to the affected area overnight for 7 consecutive days. In the acne trial, the nanofiber and gel formulations were applied twice daily for 4 weeks. In the kanuka trial, the honey product was applied after washing with antibacterial soap, left on for 30 to 60 minutes, then rinsed off, twice daily for 12 weeks. These are the conditions the cited research used, not a recommendation for how to apply anything at home.
Why This Isn’t a Substitute for Standard Care
Topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and standard emollient regimens have a far stronger evidence base for eczema than the single small trial described above. Standard prescription and over-the-counter acne treatments also have a far larger evidence base than this still-small body of Manuka research. Anyone with active or worsening skin symptoms, or a known honey or bee-product allergy, should see a dermatologist or clinician before trying topical honey, rather than substituting it for an established treatment. It’s also worth knowing that medical-grade honey dressings used in wound care are sterilized products regulated for that purpose, kitchen honey is not sterile and isn’t intended for open wounds or severely compromised skin.
FAQ
Is Manuka honey safe for sensitive or allergic skin?
Honey and bee-product allergy is real, and in the eczema trial above, 2 of the 16 enrolled participants withdrew before completing it. A patch test on a small area before broader use is a reasonable precaution, and anyone with a known bee or honey allergy should talk to a clinician before trying it at all.
Is kanuka honey the same as Manuka honey?
No. Both come from the Leptospermum genus, but they’re different species, Manuka from Leptospermum scoparium and kanuka from Leptospermum ericoides (a related but distinct New Zealand plant). The one real acne trial using kanuka honey, combined with antibacterial soap, found no statistically significant benefit over soap alone. That result is specific to kanuka honey and shouldn’t be read as evidence against Manuka honey, which showed a different result in its own separate trial.
Should I try this instead of my prescribed treatment?
No. Standard treatments for both eczema and acne have a much larger and stronger evidence base than this still-small body of Manuka research. Our full evidence-graded look at Manuka honey’s health claims covers other specific claims with the same sourcing standard, and general guidance on how Manuka honey is typically used and more on how our health content is verified and reviewed cover this site’s broader approach.