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While I’ve talked at length about my love of coconut oil for skin care, I’m excited to finally dive into the benefits of honey and using a coconut oil and honey face mask.
If you’re skeptical about slathering honey and coconut oil all over your face—don’t worry, I was too. It took me at least a year to finally work up the nerve to put natural oils on my face and clean my face with coconut oil. Now, I’m a huge fan of natural skin care, mostly because of how it’s completely changed my skin.
Why Do a Coconut Oil and Honey Face Mask?
Facial masks are beneficial because they provide concentrated nutrients to skin. Typically, they’re made from a single nourishing ingredient, like clay or honey, or a combination of ingredients depending on your skin’s needs.
While raw honey serves as a spectacular sweetener in the kitchen, it also can be incredible for your skin when mixed with coconut oil and applied topically. Honey is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water molecules from the air and retains moisture. It also has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, making it great for acne-prone skin and other inflammatory conditions.
Honey contains varying concentrations of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that counteract the effects of free radicals, and may help repair damaged tissue. It also contains alpha hydroxy acids, which makes it a great gentle exfoliator.
In short, because honey has moisturizing, antimicrobial, and restorative properties, it’s great for using as a homemade face mask. It also may help improve a variety of skin conditions, which makes it great for all skin types.
After using this coconut oil and honey face mask, I highly recommend using an apple cider vinegar facial toner. This will help freshen skin and remove any excess residue of the face mask that may have been left behind.
DIY Coconut Oil and Honey Face Mask
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons coconut oil
1.5 teaspoons raw, unpasteurized honey
1-2 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Directions:
Mix raw honey with coconut oil and lavender essential oil (optional) by stirring with a toothpick or small spoon. If mixture is too viscous, throw it in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. Once it’s hardened slightly, remove from fridge and whip it with a spoon. After cleansing your skin, apply DIY coconut oil and honey face mask across your face with your fingers using small circular strokes. Leave mask on for 10-15 minutes.
Tips and Tricks for my DIY Coconut Oil and Honey Face Mask
1. It’s important to make sure you use raw, organic honey from a trusted source. I recommend purchasing it from Y.S Organic Bee Farms, or Tropical Traditions.
2. As with all natural skin care ingredients, please make sure to spot test this coconut oil and honey face mask on your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. There is no such thing as one size fits all skin care, and it is possible that honey and coconut oil may not be right for your skin.
3. Coconut oil’s melting point is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. So, to mix evenly, the coconut oil must be cooler than 77 degrees, but not completely solid. If honey is too hard, heat up for 2-3 seconds in the microwave and stir with coconut oil.
4. To remove, simply use a wash cloth soaked in warm water. You can let the wash cloth sit on your face for 10-20 seconds, and then gently wipe away the mask. Rinse and repeat if needed.
5. The lavender essential oil is completely optional. Lavender essential oil is included because it has antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics, which may help with acne, and can be an effective way to soothe inflamed or irritated skin.
6. Please be careful with the ingredients you choose to put on your face. For example, lemon juice and cinnamon are sometimes suggested, but both can irritate the skin, especially when exposed to the skin in concentrated doses.
Have you tried this coconut oil and honey face mask? Let me know your experience below!
Be strong,
Can i mix coconut oil with honey for use per month
sure!
Hi ! I would like to make a bigger batch to give as a part of Christmas gifts.. how long can it be stored in a jar ?
Thank you 🙂
Both can be stored at room temperature!
Hi! I just started coconut oil for cleansing and so far so good! I just have a question though ’cause choosing the right product is a little confusing for me, which is better? virgin coconut oil or extra virgin coconut oil? Thank you! I reaaally appreciate your blog!
They are actually the same! See How to Choose the Right Coconut Oil.
Hey Noelle!
I love your website and the Well Fed Women Podcast! Keep up the great work! 🙂 Quick question, when I do this face mask should I cleanse before with coconut oil, then use the ACV toner after the face mask? Or should I use ACV toner before I do the face mask?
Thank you so much!!!
Great question! I would apply the mask on a clean face, and then after the mask apply the toner. Hope you love it!
I love the idea of this mask;however, I’m having trouble with applying it. I mixed it and even put in the fridge for a little. As soon as I put it on my face it just starts melting off and dripping everywhere. How do I prevent this??
It might be the ambient temperature of the room or the type of coconut oil and honey you are using. Best option is to use a raw honey (which will be almost solid at room temperature) and a cold-pressed coconut oil (note, NOT fractionated coconut oil). Put it in the fridge until solidified, and only use a small amount.
I have some eczema. Would the coconut oil still be OK? I’ve read some mixed things like that it can “feed” the fungus/yeast.
Hi Annie! Totally individual. Helps for some, and for others, it doesn’t. I’d do a little testing to see how your skin responds!
How long can you store this mask for?
Both items are shelf stable and you should consider the best by date on the label.
Can I use the residues of the mask for more than once? Or should I make a new one each time I decide to put the mask on?
Greetings from Serbia!
I think it’s absolutely fine to make some and use it at a later date! 🙂
I have never used coconut oil on my face. As winter is coming, I will definitely use this mask. But I have a question. Can I use tea tree oil instead of lavender oil?
Yes absolutely!
My skin is super dry. I tried this face mask after which my face turned soft and bright. The texture of the mask feels very rich. There was a noticeable luster on my face.
Do you recommend using a toner before applying the mask so that the skin can absorb the ingredients better?
How frequently can this mask be used?
A toner is a great idea! Glad the mask worked well. Try once a week, and increase to 2x a week and see how your skin responds! 🙂 I also highly recommend a nourishing moisturizer for day/night that is specific to dry skin. If you’re struggling, try something with safe active ingredients, like the Countermatch Day and Sleeping Cream. I have dry skin and it’s what I use personally.
Can peppermint essential oil or an essential oil blend of peppermint, tea tree, or lemon essential oils be used instead of lavender oil?
You can use any skin-safe essential oils as long as it’s diluted appropriately.
Can the virgin coconut oil and honey cream be use as a daily moisturizer and to leave on the face for the whole day.
No, I don’t recommend it.
I have acne , n together with pigmentation n my skin is very sensitive n very oily so if I try coconut oil with honey will it help for me
It might! Please spot test first.
What about using rosehip seed oil?
What’s the issue with using non-organic ingredients? won’t it just work the same?
I don’t recommend using non-organic ingredients on your face. Skin can be very reactive and sensitive to contaminants and/or residues, so organic is best.
I am in day 4 of an allergic reaction to something I ate. I have hives on my face and neck. Do you think this would help with the drying skin I am getting now from the hives. No, I do not believe I am allergic to honey or coconut, but do not know the source either. It was after eating Mexican food from a local food chain restaurant that I have eaten at and had the same food at in the past.
This would not help an allergic reaction. Definitely make sure you seek proper medical care!
Can you mix this up ahead of time? How long will it be god for? I want to send some to my daughter in Japan and it can take weeks to get there.
Thank you!
I wouldn’t recommend that. You can just encourage her to go purchase coconut oil and honey, or send the jars to her so she can mix it up herself.
Yes… Have tried the coconut oil and honey on my face…it’s not good for me… I don’t know the reason… It’s giving me big ripe pimples on my face… I don’t know what to do… Please advice me.
Hey there! It sounds like it’s just not right for you. I would stop applying it immediately.