ACTIVIST Mānuka Skin Healing Protocol

I began using Mānuka Honey as part of my skincare routine years ago to soothe my sensitive and highly reactive skin. When I became an esthetician, incorporating it into my practice was a no-brainer and the quality ACTIVIST brings to that experience cannot be matched. As their line has continued to expand, so have the possibilities to heal my clients and myself.

Step 1. Cleanse

The beauty of cleansing with Mānuka Honey is that it will not disrupt the pH of your skin – in fact it promotes a balanced skin biome. The natural enzymatic and humectant properties will gently exfoliate your skin while leaving it hydrated. It’s ideal for sensitive or problematic skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.

How To:

Moisten your face or hands with water. Gently massage approx. 1 tsp. of the ACTIVIST Mānuka Honey Mask into your skin, using circular motions. Rinse off with water or a gentle damp cloth.

Step 2. Exfoliation

Mānuka Honey contains natural enzymes that gently break down the glue that binds dead skin to the epidermis, brightening and softening your skin. Mānuka Honey itself is a perfect way to gently exfoliate compromised skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

For a more physical exfoliation, you can add items from your kitchen to gently buff the skin. Facial scrubs typically use finer ingredients as we don’t want to irritate or damage the skin.

How To:

Take 2 tsp. of ACTIVIST Mānuka Honey Mask. Dampen your face then gently massage into the skin with circular motions to dislodge dead skin cells. Remove with a warm damp face cloth.

For a more effective experience, exfoliate in the shower. The steam will soften the skin, and loosen stubborn buildup. Exfoliate 1-2x a week.

Dry & Sensitive skin types:

Sugar is a natural humectant, so it will help lock in moisture while buffing away flakes and clearing pores. Be sure to use Brown Sugar, its finer and more refined texture will be gentle and not damage your healthy skin.

Oily Skin Types:

Baking Soda is useful in helping to absorb excess oil. It is also a natural antiseptic and can help reduce acne-causing bacteria.

Maturing Skin:

Finely ground coffee beans can help boost collagen production. Don’t throw away your coffee grounds after making your morning brew! These softened grounds are perfectly gentle for more fragile skin.

Boosts:

These are ingredients you can incorporate into your exfoliation for additional skin support.

Turmeric: Along with its known anti-inflammatory, studies have shown it can help improve barrier function.

Nutmeg: Anti-bacterial and Anti-inflammatory properties, help reduce redness and unclog pores.

Step 3. Mask

The anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial properties that make Mānuka unrivaled at healing damaged skin become the most prevalent when we mask. It can reduce redness, minimize texture and even out skin tone in any skin type or condition. It is also extremely hydrating, helping our skin to retain moisture. I always recommend this mask to my clients who have been prescribed topicals due to more severely inflamed skin conditions. It allows them an opportunity to hydrate, heal and offers a moment of luxury without compromising their sensitive skin barrier.

For those with more acne-prone skin, add a drop of the 100% Pure Mānuka Essential Oil to increase anti-bacterial and antiseptic benefits.

How to:

Moisten your face and apply a sheer thin layer of the ACTIVIST Mānuka Honey Mask to the desired area. Whether you use it to mask your entire face or as a spot treatment, let sit for 15-20 min. Rinse off with water or a gentle damp face cloth.

I encourage my clients to use it as a mask or spot treatment 1-3x a week. Especially when trying to heal inflamed skin conditions.

For clients who have an at-home LED device (make sure it’s washable) you can use it while masking. This will enhance the efficacy of the honey.

Step 4. Spot Treatment

A single drop of the 100% Pure Mānuka Essential Oil will help diminish blemishes rapidly. A 100% natural disinfectant; this highly anti-bacterial and anti-fungal oil will help reduce the inflammation in acne-prone skin.

Step 5. Serum

Once you have cleansed, exfoliated and masked, the Green Botanical Serum will glide on with such silky satisfaction. Mānuka, Seaweed and Kawakawa oils enrich this serum with omegas and antioxidants that will continue to aid your skin inflammation and irritation throughout the day.

Blue Tansy brightens the skin bringing out the most rewarding inner glow and soothes redness. The lightweight, fast-absorbing serum will leave you feeling hydrated all day.

Those living in harsher winter climates, will likely need another level of moisture. I love layering in the winter to really lock in hydration and protection. Lock the fast-absorbing and soothing Green Botanical Serum in with a richer/heavier oil (I personally use Flora or Gold from Monastery, depending on the season).