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Manuka Honey for Hair: What are the Benefits?


The are plenty of external stressors that can dry out hair and disrupt the scalp, so we’re always on the lookout for the next nourishing hair care ingredient. To that end, we’re turning our attention to manuka honey for hair – an essential ingredient in our Curl Manifesto collection. A potent, rare honey, manuka is rich in minerals, nutrients and natural sugars – and it tastes brilliant on toast. But what are manuka honey’s benefits for hair?

Below, we’re demystifying this multipurpose ingredient to find out how you can elevate your hair care regime with manuka honey.


What is manuka honey?

Manuka honey is a type of monofloral honey – meaning it’s derived from a single flower.
It is produced from the nectar of the manuka tree, which is native to New Zealand and parts of Australia1. Manuka honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. Using manuka honey for hair care products imparts hydration to dry, damaged strands. Heralded as an antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, manuka honey can also play an important role in nourishing the scalp.


Manuka honey benefits for hair

One of the great manuka honey benefits for hair is that it can be used on all hair types, and to treat a range of different concerns. However, it is particularly beneficial for dry hair, damaged hair, and curly hair.
Thanks to its moisturising and antioxidant properties, manuka honey can:

  • Hydrate the hair surface to mitigate dryness and damage
  • Boost shine on dull, porous hair
  • Promote scalp health and help with common scalp concerns like dandruff
  • Prevent unnecessary hair breakage
  • Smooth hair to reduce frizz and flyaways
Read on as we delve into these top five benefits of using manuka honey for hair care.


Nourishes dry and damaged hair

Manuka honey’s status as a natural humectant makes it one of the best ingredients for hair that’s dry or damaged, as it acts as a surface moisture barrier for the hair fibre. This ‘conditioning’ effect helps soften the hair and revive dehydrated, damaged strands.

Since curly and coily hair is particularly prone to dryness, you can take advantage of manuka honey benefits for hair with the Curl Manifesto Hydrating Douceur Shampoo for Curly Hair and Curl Manifesto Essential Hydrating Conditioner for Curly Hair. A wealth of nourishing ingredients – including our beloved manuka honey – work together to soften strands and define your natural curl pattern, without weighing down hair.

If you’re between washes, we recommend a spritz of our manuka honey-infused Curl Manifesto Miracle Curl Refreshing Spray, which is perfect for rehydrating and re-activating second-day curls or coils.


Manika honey

Amplifies shine

When hair is damaged, the cuticles on the shaft lift – making hair dull and porous. Since using manuka honey for hair helps create a moisture barrier for the hair, it smooths the hair cuticle to prevent more water loss (which exacerbates the appearance of dull hair).
We suggest adding the Curl Manifesto Hydrating Nutrition Mask for Curly Hair to your hair care routine to help you get shiny, glossy hair. This extra-rich mask – which is designed for daily use, either in place of your regular conditioner or as a follow-up step for additional nourishment – deeply conditions the hair shaft to promote shinier, softer curls.


Promotes scalp health

Scalp care is integral for healthy, luscious locks, and one of the major manuka honey benefits for hair is its antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Our scalp moisturiser barrier acts as our scalp’s first line of defence from our external environment but can be disrupted by various stressors. These factors (which include inclement weather and use of heat styling tools) can impact the scalp’s natural oils – and consequently trigger scalp concerns like dandruff. As manuka honey helps prevent moisture loss, it can support a healthier scalp (which in turn supports hair growth).


Reduces hair breakage

Hair breakage is a typical side effect of overly processed hair – and one of the leading causes of excess hair shedding. Lack of moisture plays a significant role in hair breakage, but because manuka honey is a humectant rich in protein and minerals, it can help strengthen hair to stop breakage from happening. Manuka honey’s scalp benefits can also facilitate growth, paving the way for healthier follicles.


Tames frizz and flyaways

Treating frizzy hair can feel like an endless battle. But, with manuka honey in your arsenal of hair care products, you can help smooth cuticles that lead to frizz and flyaways.
To utilise manuka honey for hair’s smoothing benefits, we suggest our leave-in Curl Manifesto Crème de Jour Anti-Frizz Cream for Curly Hair. A nourishing blend of manuka honey and ceramides controls frizz, protects hair from humidity, and improves elasticity to minimise breakage. This curly hair cream can be applied to wet, freshly washed, towel-dried hair to strengthen and define curls – and leave you looking, and feeling, your best.



Applying manuka honey for hair can be a real asset when the weather is taking a toll on your tresses. Now, find out how to fix dry hair in winter with our nourishing hair care products.

1https://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/sip_manuka

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