Why is Manuka Honey so Expensive?

In the realm of holistic skincare remedies, Manuka Honey stands out as a unique and highly beneficial ingredient. Touted as a superstar superfood brimming with antioxidants and nutrients, it’s been prized for its healing abilities for centuries. Increasing scientific research on its topical use—particularly for conditions like dryness, eczema, acne, and scarring—has driven a rise in popularity and demand for both its raw form and skincare products infused with this golden elixir. But if you’ve ever looked at its price tag, you might be wondering why Manuka Honey’s cost is so high.

In this guide, we’ll explore Manuka Honey’s unique properties, rigorous standards, and complex production process, as well as, of course, the question we’re all asking: Why is Manuka Honey so expensive?

Overview of Manuka Honey

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey is a type of honey derived from New Zealand’s native Manuka Bush. Like regular honey, it’s packed with good-for-you antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids, but thanks to special compounds like methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and hydrogen peroxide, it boasts particularly strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties that set it apart from other types of honey. Ingesting Manuka Honey may offer a litany of health benefits, such as supporting overall immune function, improving digestion, and combatting oxidative stress. It’s also been used topically for centuries by New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori people for healing skin infections and wounds, and, today, is famed for its nourishing, moisture-retaining properties and its ability to soothe inflammation, prevent infection, and promote healing.

Grading and Potency (UMF and MGO Ratings)

While Manuka Honey is a powerful healer, its potency can vary between products, which is why it’s graded using the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating to help people choose high-quality, authentic Manuka Honey. This system measures the concentration of its key compounds—MGO, DHA, and Leptosperin—in order to verify its authenticity and assess its potency. UMF ratings range from 5+ to 20+ or higher; the higher the number, the more concentrated these beneficial compounds are. A UMF of 10+ or higher is considered to have strong enough antibacterial properties for therapeutic use.

UMF rating aside, certifications like the UMF Honey Association seal or the New Zealand FernMark can also ensure that your honey is authentic, medical-grade, and meets strict quality standards.

How Much Does Manuka Honey Cost?

Factors Influencing the Cost of Manuka Honey

Many different factors influence why Manuka Honey is so expensive. For starters, the higher the UMF rating, the higher its potency and, thus, the higher the Manuka Honey price tag will be. While all Manuka Honey comes from New Zealand and some parts of Australia, the specific region, apiary, and specific harvesting and production methods used (like organic certification or sustainable practices) will also affect the Manuka Honey’s price.

Typically, Manuka Honey costs more when infused into skincare formulas than in its raw form, but this will depend on the product, grade of honey used, the rest of the formula, and the brand reputation, among other factors. Finally, demand plays a role in why Manuka Honey is so expensive—and, well, the demand is currently quite high!

Manuka Honey Price Points for Different Products

So, how much does Manuka Honey cost? In order to differentiate Manuka Honey price points, let’s compare its raw form versus skincare products. When it comes to raw Manuka Honey, an 8 oz. jar with a low UMF of 5+ to 9+ will typically cost between $20 and $40, whereas those with 10+ to 15+, which is considered strong enough for therapeutic purposes, can cost between $40 and $80. Those higher than 15+ can retail up to $150!

Manuka Honey’s cost varies across skincare formulas, as well. Generally, a standard Manuka Honey moisturizer will range from $15 to $60, whereas serums or other specialty (and more potent) products range from $30 to $100 or more. Our Manuka Honey formulas, which use only premium Manuka Honey with a high UMF rating of 16+, range from $42 up to $75. We also offer 0.5-ounce travel-size jars of our hero products, Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm and Manuka Honey Whipped Oil, for under $30, so you can try our formulas out before investing in a full-size jar.

Why is Manuka Honey so Expensive?

When you take the average cost of regular honey, which you can typically pick up at your grocery store for under $10 a jar, you might ask yourself, why is Manuka Honey so expensive?! Besides the factors that influence a product’s specific price point, there are a few other reasons that factor into why, generally, Manuka Honey’s cost is so high.

It’s Not Just Any Honey…

As we mentioned above, Manuka Honey is far from your average honey! The unique compounds that give it a healing kick also create a more complex flavor than standard honey; it tastes much richer and earthier with slight herbal notes. This makes it particularly enticing to add to your tea, drizzle over your yogurt bowls, or simply eat by the spoonful!

Limited Availability of Manuka Plants

The limited availability of the Manuka bush is just another reason why the Manuka Honey price is so high. Because it’s only found in New Zealand and some parts of Australia and requires specific climates and conditions for it to thrive, Manuka Honey is not as easy to get your hands on as regular honey. Sustainable practices that prevent overharvesting and deforestation also contribute to its limited availability.

Complex Production Process

Compared to regular honey, its production process is quite complex, requiring more time and money, which contributes to a higher Manuka Honey price. For starters, it requires very specific timing and location selection. Manuka flowers only bloom for about two to six weeks each year, so beekeepers must ensure that hives are in areas where these flowers are abundant during this very short season. What’s more, Manuka Honey must be harvested at the specific moment it has high levels of MGO and develops its flavor. Once harvested, it undergoes testing to determine its UMF rating and MGO levels, a much more rigorous process than any testing for regular honey. Further, producers must follow strict regulations to ensure authenticity.

High Demand and Medical Use

Finally, high demand contributes to a rising Manuka Honey cost. Over the past decade, there’s been a global shift toward holistic remedies, ethically sourced products, and clean beauty—all trends embodied by Manuka Honey. As medical research and clinical studies continue to explore its beneficial compounds and strong antibacterial properties, especially as a remedy for various skin conditions, it’s only gaining more popularity in both the medical community and among consumers alike.

Is Manuka Honey Worth the Price?

Skincare Benefits

We’ve already mentioned that Manuka Honey has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but how does this translate into skincare benefits?

As an antibacterial agent, Manuka Honey can be a powerful remedy for acne, helping to combat breakouts and promote clearer skin, and it can also reduce the risk of bacterial infections in cracked skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce redness, irritation, and swelling associated with conditions like rashes, rosacea, eczema, and acne.

It’s also particularly healing. Studies have shown it can enhance tissue regeneration and wound healing, making it effective for treating cuts and acne, as well as diminishing the appearance of scars. Furthermore, it’s rich in antioxidants, which help shield the skin against environmental stressors and prevent signs of premature aging.

But that’s not all! Manuka Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. This keeps the skin hydrated, strengthens its delicate moisture barrier, and helps alleviate dry, itchy skin while shielding it from external triggers. Its humectant properties can also help reduce the severity of symptoms of existing skin conditions.

Overall, it’s a powerful yet gentle skincare topical that can benefit all skin types.

You Get What You Pay For!

When you take its countless skincare benefits into account, the high cost of Manuka Honey is justified. While a high price isn’t always indicative of a quality product, Manuka Honey’s unique properties, proven healing abilities, and rigorous testing for quality standards set it apart from regular honey—and many other skincare ingredients, for that matter! Investing in Manuka Honey means investing in a powerful natural remedy that delivers real results.

Nourish and Illuminate Your Skin With Naturopathica’s Manuka Honey Formulas

At Naturopathica, we offer a full range of Manuka Honey formulas that harness the healing and soothing properties of this potent superfood—and like the rest of our formulas, they’re further enriched with other powerful botanicals while omitting any harmful or toxic ingredients.

For the face, our top-rated Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm nourishes and hydrates the skin as it melts away makeup and other impurities—you can also purchase it as a set with our ultra-gentle cleansing brush. Our Manuka Honey Whipped Oil, another fan-favorite formula, combines Manuka Honey with rich Jojoba Oil to help hydrate the complexion. To instantly refresh and quench the complexion, our Lavender & Manuka Honey Balancing Mist helps balance skin and impart a dewy glow.

For the body, our award-winning Manuka Honey Shower Body Exfoliator gently sloughs away dead skin to reveal a smooth, radiant glow. Follow it with our Manuka Honey Creamy Body Lotion, a fast-absorbing yet deeply hydrating formula that leaves skin soft and touchable.

Bringing Our Manuka Honey Price Guide to a Close

There’s no doubt about it—Manuka Honey costs quite a bit of money, especially when compared to other natural, holistic skincare ingredients. But when you take its limited availability, complex production process, and, most importantly, its incredibly healing and nourishing benefits into consideration, it’s understandable why Manuka Honey is so expensive. When you shop with Naturopathica, you can rest assured you’re getting clean, high-quality formulas infused with premium Manuka Honey that are well worth their price tag.