The Sticky Secret to Glowing Skin: Honey Tapping 101
Note: This post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Full disclaimer below.
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Forget your favorite exfoliant —
because one of the most ancient (and delightfully sticky) rituals might just become your new glow-up go-to.
Honey tapping, a practice believed to have roots in Hungary and other traditional healing systems, is equal parts lymphatic massage, exfoliation, and skin-toning magic. And yes, it involves honey.
This unique technique stimulates lymph flow, detoxifies your skin, and softens fine lines — all while delivering a deep, nourishing cleanse thanks to honey's natural enzymes and acids. It's simple, effective, and oddly satisfying.
What Is Honey Tapping?
Honey tapping is an ancient technique that involves applying raw honey to the skin and using a tapping motion to stimulate circulation, encourage lymphatic drainage, and maximize honey’s skin-nourishing effects.
This method uses the honey’s sticky texture to gently lift the skin away from the fascia and underlying tissue, triggering lymph flow, improving circulation, and strengthening connective tissue. As a result, the skin feels firmer, looks brighter, and glows with health.
Why Honey Tapping Works (It’s Not Just Folklore)
This technique delivers real, tangible benefits that go way beyond the surface glow:
✅ Strengthens connective tissue for firmer, more lifted skin
✅ Stimulates lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness and promoting detox
✅ Enhances blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to skin cells
✅ Gently exfoliates thanks to gluconic acid and natural enzymes
✅ Heals + soothes with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties
✅ Deeply hydrates the skin’s lower layers
✅ Reduces breakouts, inflammation, dullness, and early signs of aging
This is skincare that works with your body — not against it.
How Often Should You Do It?
1–2x a week is plenty to see benefits
Best done in the evening, so your skin can heal and regenerate overnight
Generally safe for all skin types, though those with rosacea or hypersensitivity should patch test first or consult a pro
What Kind of Honey Should You Use?
Not all honey is created equal. For this technique to work properly, you want a honey that’s:
Raw Organic and local (if possible) – for live enzymes and nutrients and microbiome support
Or try Manuka – with a UMF of 5+ for extra healing, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
It can be difficult sometimes to find a local source so here’s some you can find online.
My handcrafted Hibiscus Honey Enzyme Mask is designed for honey tapping and lymphatic stimulation — and the added benefits of extra botanicals. It’s packed with exfoliating fruit enzymes, Vit C, and healing aloe vera.
Use the Mask, Stimulate the Lymph
I love using this as part of my weekly facial ritual. Here’s how:
“Let the mask sit for a minute until it gets nice and sticky on the skin. Then stimulate the lymph with either tapping or rolling. Don’t press too hard — let the weight of your fingers or tool do the work.”
How to Honey Tap (Step-by-Step)
💡 Want a quick visual you can print or screenshot?
👉 Click here to grab the Honey Tapping Step-by-Step Image
STEP 1: Cleanse + Dry Your Skin
Honey won’t stick properly to damp skin. Start fresh.
STEP 2: Apply Honey or Enzyme Mask
Use dry hands to press 1 Tbsp or more of raw honey (or my Hibiscus Honey Enzyme Mask) onto each area of your face, neck, and décolleté, then gently spread it out evenly.
Bonus: Warm the jar gently in a water bath to make the honey spreadable.
STEP 3: Choose Your Tapping Method
✋ Tapping With Fingers:
Use fingertips to tap quickly and gently
Start at your clavicle, working up your neck
Move from mid face outward to ears
Tapping each section cheeks, under eyes, and forehead
Finish by tapping from forehead down to collarbone
🌀 With a Roller:
Use any facial roller. My two favorites are Luxury Sodalite Blue Stone Spiked Roller and Beauty Roller. Use code to Nourished15 15% off your purchase.
Start with short strokes above the clavicle
Keeping the downward movement, working up your neck
Work up to the jaw, then mid-face to ears, working each section of the face.
Finish with forehead strokes and long downward rolls from forehead to collarbone for full lymphatic support
STEP 4: Hydrate the Mask
Add a few drops of water to your hands and press into skin to activate the botanicals in the mask and soften the stickiness OR spritz with your favorite mist.
STEP 5: Let It Sit + Remove
Relax for 10–20 minutes. Then use a warm, soft cloth (like this Bamboo Facial Cloth) to remove. Or make it even easier and rinse it off in the shower like I usually do!
STEP 6: Mist, serum, and balm come next.
🌿 Why This Technique Is So Powerful
Strengthens fascia + tissue = less sagging
Lymph drainage = de-puffed glow
Hydration + exfoliation = brighter, smoother skin
Circulation boost = more oxygen to your skin
Less inflammation = fewer breakouts + calmer skin
Ready to Try It?
Whether you’re a roller girl or a tap-with-your-fingertips kinda glow-getter, honey tapping is one of the easiest ways to stimulate lymph, nourish your skin, and reconnect with your skincare ritual in a deeper way.
So light a candle, tie your hair up, and give your skin the sweet attention it deserves.
💛 Your lymph (and your glow) will thank you.
👉 Want a printable cheat sheet - step-by-step graphic? Click here to grab it
💬 Let’s Connect!
Have you tried honey tapping before? Or ready to give it a go for the first time?
Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear about your honey glow in action. ✨
📚 References & Supporting Sources
🐝 On the Benefits of Honey for Skin
National Institutes of Health (NIH):
Therapeutic and medicinal uses of honey
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3611628/PubMed Study on Manuka Honey:
The antibacterial activity of manuka honey and its effect on wound healing
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19227684/WebMD – Honey Health Benefits:
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-honeyUMF Honey Association (New Zealand):
Understanding Unique Manuka Factor (UMF®)
https://www.umf.org.nz/
💆♀️ On Lymphatic Drainage & Skin Health
Healthline – Lymphatic Drainage Massage:
What Is It and Does It Work?
https://www.healthline.com/health/lymphatic-drainage-massageCleveland Clinic – Lymphatic System Function:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21199-lymphatic-system
🌿 On Facial Massage + Circulation
Journal of Physical Therapy Science:
Effects of facial massage on anxiety and mood in women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5818698/Byrdie – Facial Massage Benefits:
https://www.byrdie.com/face-massage-benefits-4780400
The content provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or skincare concern.
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. Use of the information provided is at your own risk.
Skin Fit and Nourished Holistic make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We disclaim all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content. This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.