No, honey should not be used as sunscreen. While honey possesses beneficial properties like antioxidants that help protect skin from some sun damage and aid in skin cell rejuvenation, it does not offer sufficient protection against the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Using honey alone as sun protection is inadequate and will not prevent sunburn or reduce the risk of long-term skin damage.
Honey's Benefits for Skin and Sun Exposure
- Antioxidant Properties: Honey contains antioxidants that help combat free radical damage caused by UV radiation. This contributes to overall skin health but does not replace sunscreen. [Source: NewBeauty and Elias Honey]
- Moisturizing and Soothing: Honey can soothe sunburned skin due to its moisturizing properties. It's helpful after sunburn, not as a preventative measure. [Source: Elias Honey, First Honey]
- Antibacterial Properties: Honey's antibacterial nature can help reduce the risk of infection in sunburns. [Source: Elias Honey]
However, these benefits do not equate to sun protection. Tanning, which is a reaction to UV radiation resulting in melanin production, is unaffected by the application of honey. [Source: Quora]
Why Honey Isn't a Sunscreen Replacement
Sunscreen's function is to block UV rays, preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage like premature aging and skin cancer. Honey lacks the necessary UV-blocking properties to achieve this. Using honey instead of sunscreen will leave your skin vulnerable to the sun's harmful effects. [Source: UV Skinz] Other products, like shea butter, also lack the necessary properties to serve as a replacement for sunscreen. [Source: UV Skinz] In fact, applying things like honey, mustard, ketchup or butter to a sunburn isn't beneficial. [Source: Medstar Health]
Therefore, always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an adequate SPF to protect your skin from the sun. Honey can be a beneficial addition to your skincare routine for its other properties, but it should never be considered a sunscreen substitute.
