The buzz about bee-powered skincare: Why honey, propolis and bee products are nature’s OG super ingredients
From DIY honey face masks to high-tech serums which harness the power of propolis, here’s a look at how bee-powered skincare has stood the test of time, along with a few buzzy products to check out.
The buzz about bee-powered skincare. (Art: Chern Ling)
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In the world of skincare, fads and buzzwords come and go, but there's one ingredient that has been trending since ancient times, and which continues to be a mainstay in modern beauty products.
Honey, propolis, bee venom, beeswax, royal jelly and the other byproducts of bee labour – these super substances have been harnessed for centuries for their skincare and medicinal properties.
Ancient civilisations, from the Egyptians and the Romans, to indigenous tribes in the Americas, appreciated the cosmetic and healing properties of natural bee-based ingredients.
Renowned beauty Cleopatra was said to have indulged in luxurious milk and honey baths to keep her skin smooth and glowing, and women in the Ming dynasty used it to banish blemishes.
“Bee ingredients are one of the few types of ingredients with such universal appeal, and have been used across different civilisations and cultures. What makes them unique is that they’re revered not just for their skin benefits but also for their medicinal properties, culinary uses and spiritual significance," said Su-Mae Chia, owner of local skincare brand Bskin, which utilises natural and ethically sourced bee-based active ingredients, and whose family has been in the business of bee-based wellness supplements for over 30 years.
THE BENEFITS OF HONEY
So why are honey and bee derivatives such hot and sticky property? First, a quick lesson on how honey is produced. Bees collect flower nectar, which gets broken down into simple sugars by the bees and stored in honeycombs. The hexagonal design of the honeycomb and the fanning of the bees’ wings causes water to evaporate from the nectar, creating sweet, liquid honey.
In this form, honey is already so naturally chock full of benefits, it makes other skincare ingredients hang their heads in shame. It packs powerful anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, making it popular as a traditional wound-cleaning and healing agent for a variety of ailments. It’s also an antioxidant, protecting skin from environmental damage.
Bee ingredients are packed with essential nutrients and bioactive compounds that are beneficial for the skin.
In skincare, it can help to cleanse pores and remove dirt. It’s a natural humectant, which means it draws and locks in moisture and helps keep skin soft and supple.
Its anti-inflammatory effects soothe and calm angry skin, and it’s been used to treat acne and prevent breakouts. It’s even been known to fade scars and help with chronic skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.
PROPOLIS, BEE VENOM AND OTHER BEE-DERIVED INGREDIENTS
What makes bee-derived ingredients so fascinating is that there is a variety of substances that do different things and have different effects, thanks to the industriousness and ingenuity of the humble honey bee.
Propolis, often called bee glue, is a resinous mixture that bees create, used to seal and protect the hive from pathogens and harmful microorganisms. It is a superstar ingredient known as nature’s antibiotic, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities. It’s ideal as a remedy for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin, as it fights bacteria, reduces inflammation, and supports skin health.
Royal jelly is a protein-rich milky substance that is fed by worker bees to bee larvae for the first three days of their lives, and to the queen bee for her entire life. It’s said to have increased anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and potent antioxidant and anti-ageing effects.
There’s also beeswax, produced to form the walls and seal the cells of the honeycomb, which is widely used for lip balms, creams and other beauty products.
Bee pollen, another nutrient powerhouse, is full of amino acids, vitamins, and folic acid, and can nourish and revitalise skin.
Bee venom, less commonly known, is the bee’s defense mechanism collected by beekeepers through a gentle extraction process that doesn’t harm the bees. It's a currently buzzy ingredient, thanks to its purported ability to promote collagen and elastin production, and enhance skin firmness and elasticity.
Special mention must be made about Manuka honey, derived from bees that pollinate the manuka bush in New Zealand, and is prized for its enhanced anti-bacterial potency.
BEE POWER IN MODERN SKINCARE
While it’s entirely possible to slather a spoonful of honey on your face as an au naturel face mask, advancements in technology and research mean that things have gotten a little more complicated.
“In the past, bee-powered skincare was a lot simpler and involved the use of a handful of ingredients, such as face masks made of pure honey mixed with bee propolis. However, this has changed. Bee ingredients are often no longer standalone components in skincare formulations,” explained Chia.
Each bee ingredient is also a powerful multi-tasker that has multiple benefits for the skin.
She added: “Instead, they are typically combined with other complementary powerhouse active ingredients like botanical extracts, peptides, vitamins and so on, to create enhanced formulas targeting multiple skincare concerns at the same time.”
Bee-powered skincare is unique in that it’s very rich in nutrients for the skin. “Bee ingredients are packed with essential nutrients and bioactive compounds that are beneficial for the skin. Each bee ingredient is also a powerful multi-tasker that has multiple benefits for the skin.”
BEE-POWERED SKINCARE AND MAKEUP
Bskin Smart Skin Cream SPF50, from S$31
A skincare-makeup hybrid, this multi-tasker functions as a nourishing moisturiser and tinted sunblock with SPF50+/PA+++. It contains the brand’s exclusive B2O – a potent blend of Jeju spring water and extracts of honey, royal jelly, propolis and pollen, and is a fan favourite for helping to keep skin youthful and resilient.
Available at Bskin.
Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Oil, S$64
Infused with Corsican honey, propolis and royal jelly, this tinted lip oil formulated with 92 per cent natural-origin ingredients delivers nourishment and shine to lips, with an instant plumping effect.
Available at Guerlain.
Farmacy Honey Potion Plus Ceramide Moisture Mask, S$72
A hydrating and warming face mask with antioxidant-rich honey, soothing propolis and amino acid-rich royal jelly to banish dry skin and restore glow. Upcycled apple extract and cica help to replenish skin hydration, and ceramides protect the skin's moisture barrier.
Available at Sephora.
Banila Co Miss Flower & Mr Honey Propolis Rejuvenating Ampoule, S$56
A serum which delivers highly concentrated actives featuring 82 per cent Red Propolis extract, which is higher in antioxidants than most superfoods, along with honey, royal jelly, honey butter and beeswax for glowing, plump and healthy skin. Available at iHerb.
SkinFood Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Barrier Cream, S$40.40
A rich moisturising cream featuring aged propolis extract, royal jelly extract and honey extract to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in nourishing hydration.
Available at Amazon.sg
BUYER’S GUIDE
Here are some other products you may be interested in, identified by our affiliate marketing team which is separate from CNA's editorial team. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission. The editorial team does not select affiliate marketing products.
Farmacy Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil (S$78)
Exclusive to Sephora, Farmacy says this fast-absorbing facial oil helps revitalise skin, thanks in part to its formula that includes proprietary honey, sea buckthorn and five-flower oil blend. It’s non-comedogenic, which means it reduces the risk of clogging your skin’s pores
Some By Mi, Propolis B5, Glow Barrier Calming Serum, 1.69oz (50 ml) (S$25.19)
The main active ingredient in this serum is propolis, which is said to have powerful antibacterial properties. It can also help restore the skin’s water-lipid balance and strengthen its protective barrier. Other actgive ingredients include honey extract, tea tree water and ceramides.
