I'm using this unexpected pantry item to wash my face - and my skin has never looked better

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• Manuka honey is a variety of honey native to New Zealand. Compared to regular honey, it has above-average antibacterial properties, making it a surprising option to heal and prevent acne.
• It's also a humectant, drawing moisture from the air and pulling it into skin to deliver a natural, dewy glow.
• To harness the power of Manuka in your skincare routine, use it as a cleanser morning and night, or a 20-minute face mask. The natural substance is safe on even the most sensitive skin types.
• All Manuka honey is given a bio active rating that determines the level of antibacterial compounds inside. In order to fight acne and heal the skin, look for Manuka honey with a bio active rating of 20+.

The concept of pantry skincare is nothing new - people have been using coconut oil for both cooking and moisturizing for years, and apple cider vinegar has long been hailed as the best natural toner around - but I was still surprised when a friend suggested I wash my face with Manuka honey to combat the dry, itchy rash around my eyes and help reduce breakouts. I knew honey was often used as an ingredient in DIY face masks and usually mixed with yogurt or lemon juice, but cleansing with pure honey? Wouldn't that get sticky?

In a moment of desperation, I decided to give it a go - and I haven't looked back since. Washing my face with Manuka honey twice daily has given my usually flaky, acne-prone skin the bouncy texture and natural glow of my dreams; and if you haven't already, you need to make Manuka part of your daily skincare routine.

Manuka honey isn't interchangeable with standard, raw, or organic honey, though.

Manuka is a variety of honey specific to New Zealand, made by the bees that feed on the country's native Manuka bushes. It's been used by locals for centuries as a do-it-all healing balm: It can treat infections, soothe irritation of any kind, and even help regenerate damaged skin tissue. In modern times, it's especially known for its skin-healing properties.

As a cleanser, mask, or even spot treatment, Manuka honey has the ability to calm and moisturize reactive skin in more ways than one. It nourishes the healthy bacteria on the skin's microbiome and prevents acne-causing bacteria from multiplying, thanks to something called methylglyoxal, an antibacterial compound that naturally occurs in Manuka. (It's actually been found to kill MRSA-, E. Coli-, and Staph-causing bacteria as well.) In addition, this sweet substance is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air, delivers it to the skin, and seals it in. It's literally the liquid gold of skincare products.

However, not all Manuka honey has the same skin-saving power. Every jar of Manuka that's made is tested and given something called a bio active rating, which indicates its level of antibacterial activity. Mild Manuka can have a bio active rating of 5+, while stronger strains rank as high as 24+. Manuka honey needs a bio active factor of at least 20+ in order to treat acne and inflammation - my go-to jar is Manuka Doctor 24+.

I personally reach for it as a day and night cleanser, since it gently removes excess oil and buildup without stripping the skin of moisture. To use, simply wet your face with warm water (don't worry, this will eliminate any stickiness), then smooth a quarter-sized amount of honey onto your fingertips. Massage onto your face and neck in circular motions, taking your time. The active ingredients are only active as long as they're on your skin, so you don't want to wash it off too quickly. After a minute or two, splash your face clean with warm water and pat dry.

If your skin is in need of a little extra attention, Manuka honey also makes a great face mask - no extra ingredients necessary. I swear by a thick coat of Manuka applied to clean, dry skin as the ultimate 20-minute, fix-anything mask. The Manuka glow is undeniable: As soon as you rinse it off, you notice calmer, clearer, dewier skin.

Finally, Manuka honey can be used as a spot treatment on particularly inflamed pimples and cysts. Dab a bit onto the affected area and let sit as long as you like; swelling should go down in as little as 15 minutes. Warning: This method is pretty sticky (but worth it).

You can - and should - even ingest the miracle product. A spoonful of Manuka honey a day helps rebalance the bacteria in your gut and improve digestion. It's also a must for healing sore throats, and has been shown to prevent tooth decay, as well. (Is there anything it can't do?)

Mainstream beauty companies are starting to catch on to the power of Manuka: Manuka Doctor has a full line of skincare products that harness the honey's unique capabilities, and L'Oreal recently released a range of eye creams and moisturizers based on the ingredient, as well. While I love that products like this are bringing Manuka to the masses, I'm of the opinion that you can't really improve on Mother Nature.

Pure Manuka honey is - and likely always will be - the only cleanser I need.

Get the Manuka Doctor 24+ Bio Active Manuka Honey at Amazon for $21