The last time you thought about bees, it was likely when you were trying to avoid getting stung. And as for honey, the sticky, sweet substance that’s a favorite of Winnie the Pooh, it was likely either to soothe a sore throat or used as a healthier substitute for sugar in your favorite cookie recipe. But, you should add this bee-made delicacy to your list of kitchen goods that also work for your medicine cabinet — stat. It turns out, the benefits of honey extend beyond the kitchen. Honey, propolis and their many byproducts are wonderful for our skin. I went to the experts to get the scoop on how to get glowing skin with the help of the bees!
Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine
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Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine #1
By Sara Spruch-Feiner
The last time you thought about bees, it was likely when you were trying to avoid getting stung. And as for honey, the sticky, sweet substance that's a favorite of Winnie the Pooh, it was likely either to soothe a sore throat or used as a healthier substitute for sugar in your favorite cookie recipe. But, you should add this bee-made delicacy to your list of kitchen goods that also work for your medicine cabinet -- stat. Honey, propolis and their many byproducts are wonderful for our skin. I went to the experts to get the scoop on how to get glowing skin with the help of the bees!
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Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine #2
Bees + honey, honey + bees, the two go together like PB + J. But did you know that bees are busy in the hive way beyond just making honey? Enter propolis. To understand what exactly this other bee-made product is, I turned to Carly Stein, founder of Beekeeper’s Naturals, for the scoop on the substance often referred to as “bee glue.” She explained: “Propolis is the substance bees collect from plant and tree resins, which is then processed by bees and secreted, much like nectar and honey. Bees use propolis to protect the hive from pathogens and disease. It is essentially the hive’s immune system (which is why some call it nature's antibiotic) as well as its insulation (which is why some beekeepers nickname it "bee glue"). It has been used for centuries with various studies reporting antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antifungal properties. It contains over 300 compounds including bioflavonoids (powerful antioxidants), essential oils, vitamins, and minerals.” While Stein’s product is a spray (Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Spray, $11.99) used for preventing sore throats and supporting the immune system, it can be used topically because it’s additive and preservative free.
Thanks to its antiviral and antimicrobial properties, propolis is beneficial to acneic skin. Propolis is also great as a protective and soothing substance for those exposed environmental pollution. (If you live in an urban environment—that’s you!) Propolis forms a protective barrier on our skin -- similar to the function it plays for bees as a protector.
(Crazy bee fact: if an intruder like a mouse gets into the beehive, the bees can kill it, though they can't physically move it, so they will often mummify it in propolis to protect the hive from the presence of a decaying animal.)
“The antioxidants, essential oils, and minerals in propolis make it a great addition to any skin care routine. It’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties may help fight free radicals, reduce inflammation and fight bad bacteria that can cause various skin ailments (there’s evidence of its effectiveness against the bacteria that causes acne),” Stein explains. “Propolis is also non-comedogenic, meaning it tends to not clog pores. Even Cleopatra was supposedly a big fan of propolis, and Hippocrates (commonly referred to as the father of modern medicine) used it to heal infections and wounds.”
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Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine #3
With some propolis and some honey, you’re already well on your way to DIY-ing some ultra-hydrating, antiseptic facial treatments. Honey (plain and simple) “makes a great face mask as it moisturizes and soothes your skin while also feeding it vitamins, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds,” Stein explains.
BEE-I-Y IT:
Honey has been used extensively in beauty treatments for thousands of years by various civilizations. It never spoils and is a natural humectant (meaning: it attracts moisture and keeps it locked inside).
Honey makes a great face mask as it moisturizes and soothes your skin while also giving it vitamins, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. Stein recommends raw, unpasteurized (and local, when possible!) honey.
Propolis Soother
-1-2 teaspoons coconut oil mixed
-3 sprays propolis
-Mix together and apply to face
Honey Lemon Propolis Mask
-1 teaspoon lemon juice
-1 tablespoon raw honey
-Mix together and apply.
(“Lemons are full of AHAs and BHAs which help to remove dead skin cells and clear up discoloration and brighten the complexion, while honey and propolis are full of antioxidants and have antibacterial and soothing properties,” Stein notes.)
Honey Propolis Cinnamon Acne Zapper
-1 tablespoon honey
-3 sprays propolis
-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
--Mix together and apply to face
Honey Face Scrub
-1 tablespoon honey
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-Gently rub in circular motions (don't rub too hard!)
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Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine #4
Tata Harper Limited Edition Honey Blossom Resurfacing Mask, $65
Of course, if DIY-ing isn’t quite your speed, lots of experts are honing in on this natural wonder.
Indie skincare maven Tata Harper recently released a special edition honey-packed version of her cult favorite Resurfacing Mask. “I was inspired by memories of my grandmother, who used raw honey masks at home to keep her skin soft and beautiful,” Harper told me. “I chose to infuse our Resurfacing Mask with honey to give it even more moisture and beautifying benefits.”
Echoing Stein’s tip, Harper chose local, raw honey. “The honey used in this Mask comes from a Vermont beekeeper nearby whose honey production process is completely synthetic-chemical free, which is important to us as we wanted the honey to be totally pure and healthy. We chose to use raw honey in the formula because in its unpasteurized state, it has the maximum amount of beneficial properties to the skin” she explains.
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Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine #5
Hey Honey Take It Off Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask, $29, Hey Honey 911 Pro Gel Multi-Purpose Propolis Serum, $44
“Honey has been used for centuries to soothe, hydrate and even heal the skin. It's packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; it literally feeds the skin and brings it back to a healthy, glowing balance,” Harper explains.
Hey Honey’s 911 Pro Gel uses propolis to target blemishes or redness and instantly soothes and cools, while the Take It Off Peel Off Mask moisturizes with honey and brightens and smoothes with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids).
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Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine #6
Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask, $52
While clay masks can be drying, you’ll never have that problem with Elemental Herbology’s, thanks to its manuka honey content. After ten minutes slathered in this natural clay mask, you’ll feel superclean.
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Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine #7
100% Pure Honey Cake Soap, Honey Almond, $18, 100% Pure Honey Cream Wash, Honey Almond, $26
A lovely, natural and fun-smelling way to bring the hydrating properties of honey into the shower with you, 100% Pure’s brand new bar soap and cream body wash come in a variety of scents that all boast the moisturizing, healing and anti-bacterial boost of honey.
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Ingredient Spotlight: Why You Should Add Honey and Propolis to Your Skin Care Routine #8
Shara Shara Honey Bomb All In One Ampoule $40, Lee Jiham Vita-Propolis Cream $50
Unsurprisingly, Korean skincare is already on the honey + propolis boat too. Shara Shara’s Honey Bomb is one of the most generously sized ampoules around and once you dip your fingers in this adorable jar, you’ll be glad it is. Made from manuka honey, propolis extract and royal jelly, you’ll be pleased to discover that this all-in-one formula truly smells like honey and functions as a multi-purpose serum/hydrator/light moisturizer.
Lee Jiham’s Vita-Propolis cream is a thick goopy formula which packs a high concentration of bee goodness -- 50 percent propolis extract provides instant glow to the skin.
