Honey - the richest source of vitamins and antioxidants in a single food
Bee pollen is a common component of many skincare products and with so many beneficial properties this should come as no surprise. Bee pollen derived ingredients demonstrate great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them ideal for skincare products. There are different types of pollen substances including honey, propolis and royal jelly.
How Beehive Ingredients Work in Skincare
Bee Pollen contains an incredible mix of substances including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytochemicals and enzymes. These elements are needed by the body for a range of functions from cell growth to healing the skin. This magic substance also stimulates the circulation of blood to skin cells, making the skin less vulnerable which can help with wrinkles and blemishes.
The Pollen Process
The starting point for all beehive products is pollen collected by worker bees from flowers. The bees take this raw ingredient back to the hive where it is mixed with bee saliva to create different grades of honey and nectar, all with different uses
A Bees Banquet
Bees have glands that secrete an enzyme when they collect the nectar, which mixed with the enzyme in the bee's mouth. Back at the beehive, the nectar passes from one bee to another, mixing the nectar with more bee enzymes and turning the nectar into honey.
Honey is a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture. It can stimulate collagen production which is important in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. Honey also neutralises damaging free radicals, further reducing and preventing damage to the skin.
Jelly Fit for a Queen
A special grade of honey is produced by the worker bees for their queen, this is termed Royal Jelly. They mix honey and pollen with enzymes in the glands of their throats to produce a thick, milky substance. While this may not sound very glamorous, Royal Jelly may be one of nature’s best-kept secrets
Royal Jelly has long been prized for its attributes which include regenerating cells, healing wounds, calming skin disorders and protecting the skin from dehydration.
Ingredients essential for skin health such as collagen, lecithin and vitamins A to E are all found in Royal Jelly.
Bee Healthy
Propolis is a sticky resin that seeps from the wounds and buds of trees. This is collected by worker bees to use as 'bee glue'. Back at the hive, the resin is mixed with bee saliva (again!) and flakes of beeswax to produce a blend rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. And as you may have guessed, that's great news for the skin.
Propolis is also known as 'nature's penicillin' and its antiseptic properties ensure a germ-free environment. When it comes to skincare, propolis helps rejuvenate skin by disabling viruses and fighting infection.
Thanks to its medicine-like properties propolis is suitable for all skin types and is especially useful for those with sensitive skin or acne. It helps to reduce blemishes and keep the skin clear of acne outbreaks and infection because of its antibacterial, properties. If all other skincare products cause irritation, propolis is the ingredient to turn to.
IMPORTANT: if you’re allergic to bee stings or wasps, you should avoid bee pollen.
Refresh Recommends....
The star ingredient is propolis - made from honey - which delivers rich moisture and intense nourishment to the skin.
Containing 42% pollen this concentrated serum to give an anti-oxidant blast. This contains all three types of bee products - honey, propolis and royal jelly.
Have you had success with any pollen-based products? Has Royal Jelly turned you into the Queen Bee? Share your experiences with the skincare community in the comments below.
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