Jellybush Honey Extract: A Solution for Enhanced Wound Healing and Scar Reduction Across Diverse Skin Phototypes

Wound healing dysregulation often results in visible scarring with significant psychological impact, particularly affecting individuals with darker skin phototypes. This study investigates the efficacy of an aqueous extract of Australian Jellybush honey (Leptospermum polygalifolium) in improving scar appearance across diverse skin tones. Our research demonstrated the extract reduced IL-8 production by 42%, decreased reactive oxygen species by 14.6%, and increased pro-collagen I synthesis by 28%. Ex vivo experiments revealed a 44% increase in neo-epidermal tongue length after 10 days while gene expression analysis showed coordinated wound healing through timed modulation of key markers such as filaggrin, matrix metalloproteases, keratins. In a double-blind clinical study involving 21 volunteers (phototypes II–VI) with acne scars, 8-week application of 2% Jellybush honey extract improved skin homogeneity by 15%, reduced scar surface area by 3% and decreased atrophic and hypertrophic scars dimensions by 9% and 16%, respectively, versus placebo. These improvements were consistent across all phototypes, including V-VI. Jellybush honey extract offers a promising approach for scar management through balanced modulation of wound healing pathways across all skin phototypes.