Propolis

Beauty Benefits of Propolis and Royal Jelly

Propolis 101: Propolis Skin Benefits & How to Maximize Effects

by Hailei Kim on Aug 25, 2020

I’m pretty sure you have heard of propolis before if you have experience of looking up ways of improving your skin. Now it’s a bigger problem if you have never heard of propolis before because you have been missing out on so much propolis can do for your skin. To confess, I used to be one of those who thought that propolis was just a fancy name for honey. (Well, they are similar but not the same.) Don’t be that person anymore and learn how to make use of all that propolis can offer such as acne-fighting, anti-aging, skin brightening, and so much more!

Let’s call today PROPOLIS 101 because today I will deal with everything you need to know about propolis from its benefits to how to use it in your daily skincare regimen. Before I go into details, first things first - What is propolis?

What is 'propolis'?

Bee propolis, as I briefly mentioned above, is commonly mistaken as honey but is actually the glue that bees use to build and hold their beehives. So, in other words, propolis is a natural resin, or simply put, “bee glue.”

Interestingly, propolis got its initial spotlight from the pharmaceutical and medical industry. A lot of research has been made that supports propolis’s healing properties. Working as a supplement in medicine in various forms including multivitamin capsule, nasal spray, ointment, and even toothpaste, propolis has been solidly acknowledged as a natural treatment.

Why in skincare?

I cannot stress the significance of propolis in boosting one’s immune system. But now the question is - why in skincare?

As some of you might have already guessed, because propolis has been proven to increase one’s immunity towards and makes your body more resistant towards outside invaders, this also means that propolis can work to protect your skin towards bacterial and fungal acne. Also its healing properties make it an excellent post-acne treatment to heal the acne scars and wounds.

4 Propolis skin benefits, how is it good for your skin?

1. Good for treating acne

Propolis is a must have item for people with acne because of its powerful antibacterial and antiviral qualities. Fighting external stimuli that cause acne, it treats acne that you already have and prevents future acne. Also the anti-inflammatory quality in propolis also calms and soothes your skin from breakouts and pimples that occur due to irritation from heat.

2. Good for healing post-acne wound and scars

Did you know that propolis has been used as a treatment for minor burns? Studies have shown that propolis has equal or greater effectiveness towards minor burns compared to silver sulfadiazine, which is a common compound used in medical treatment for second or third degree burns. This is due to the fact that propolis has components that promote skin cell production and growth of collagen in the skin.

3. Good for preventing loss of skin elasticity

Propolis contains both flavonoids and phenolics, which are compounds that are known to get rid of free radicals. Free radicals cause acceleration of skin aging and reduce the productivity of new skin cell growth, can be the main cause of skin aging and, if worse comes to worst, can even lead to skin cancer. The components in propolis will work as antioxidants that prevent premature skin aging, dullness, uneven skin tones, and blemishes. By adding propolis to your skincare routine, you are protecting your skin from free radicals that you cannot avoid on a daily basis due to sun exposure, pollutants, and radiation.

4. Good for skin brightening

Propolis also works as a great supplement when you are using products that contain vitamin C. Because vitamin C is the most potent, therefore, most famous ingredient when it comes to skin brightening and lightening, allowing vitamin C to perform its full capacity is important if you desire better complexion. Using propolis topically, allows your skin to absorb moisture more effectively, in turn, soothes your skin. This is especially vital for people who are concerned about uneven skin tones and hyperpigmentation as reducing inflammation is the first and foremost to prevent redness and discoloration.

How can I use 'propolis'?

If you don’t want to miss out on using propolis and even make up for the time you have not been familiar with the wonders of propolis, you should not only know how to use it but also learn how to maximize its effects.

1. Use it daily

Propolis itself is very mild so it can be used on a daily basis even for people with sensitive skin. And because its main role is to increase immunity of your body and skin, it would actually be beneficial for you in the long run if you use propolis on a daily basis. Propolis usually come in serums or ampoules so two or three drops would do the trick. Allergic reactions to propolis are extremely rare but check to see if you have allergic reactions if you have ever had allergic reactions to honey.

2. Use it with Vitamin C if you are especially concerned with complexion

Because propolis and vitamin C are both antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals, using them together can maximize the effect that antioxidants play on reducing oxidative stress. Imagine having not only one but two reliable friends that will surely protect your skin from damage and premature aging!

3. Use it with honey if you have dehydrated and dry skin

One of the main beneficial qualities that honey provides is hydrating your skin and allowing the moisture to last longer by creating a protective barrier around your skin. Honey and propolis complement each other so that each ingredient can play their A game.

https://youtu.be/ixyAG2RD4v8

Bee Propolis Benefits for Skin: Hydration, Radiance & More

Propolis—or “bee propolis,” as it's sometimes called—might not have the same instant name recognition as hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. But if you aren't familiar with it yet, you're definitely about to be. The skin-soothing ingredient is quickly on its way to becoming the next hydration and glow-boosting all-star.

I first came across propolis last fall while looking for a hydrating serum that could tackle the rough patches on my combination skin without weighing it down. When I spotted the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum during my routine Soko Glam browse, I was intrigued—it was under $20, had pretty packaging and great reviews, and most important, was developed to soothe and hydrate while also gently removing dead skin. I placed my order and waited for this potentially holy grail product to arrive in the mail.

I decided I would start off using it as part of my morning skin-care routine and the effects were immediate. My skin, which gets a bit red even after a gentle cleanse, felt instantly calmer and my skin was glowing. The type of glow that makes you pause and stare yourself in the mirror because the light reflecting off all angles is kind of mesmerizing. The serum sank into my skin nicely, so there wasn't any stickiness and layered well under my moisturizer. And that's when I knew propolis and I were in it for the long run.

What is bee propolis?

As the name implies, propolis is a compound created by bees. “Propolis, often referred to as ‘bee glue,’ is the material that holds bees’ hives together,” says Charlotte Cho, esthetician and cofounder of Soko Glam. “This brown resin substance is made from botanical sources, like tree buds, and is what honeybees collect to fill the spaces in their hives.”

Like beeswax, it plays an important role in the hive infrastructure, but they're not the same. “Beeswax is often confused for propolis but they're completely different,” says Corey Hartman, M.D., dermatologist and founder of the Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. “Beeswax builds the ‘bricks’ of the cell wall, and the propolis acts as the mortar that holds it all together.”

It's also not to be confused with other popular bee-produced compounds used in skin-care products—like honey, which aids with wound healing and inflammation, or royal jelly, a viscous, jelly-like substance that's used for antiaging protection and boosting collagen production. (“It's produced by worker bees to feed the queen bee and the larvae,” says K-beauty expert Felicia Lee, one half of the duo from Beauty Within.)

And while Cho points out that no bees are harmed in the process of collecting propolis—“beekeepers safely harvest propolis by gently scraping it off the frames and lids of hive boxes,” she says—it's worth keeping in mind that propolis isn't considered vegan.

What are the skin-care benefits of propolis?

While bee propolis has been used for thousands of years in eastern medicine as an herbal remedy, its adoption into skin care has taken off thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which make it perfect for blemish-prone skin. “The rise of propolis's popularity in Korea is due to its incredible versatility,” says Cho. “It achieves everything from hydration and healing to curbing acne and reducing oil production.” Here's a rundown of all its superstar skin-care properties.

It protects your skin barrier.

“For dermatologists, one of our holy grails is a product that will protect your skin barrier and keep it intact as much as possible,” says Hartman. That's because a compromised skin barrier leads to dehydration and raises your risk of infection.

Beauty Benefits of Propolis and Royal Jelly

Besides honey, which is considered one of the Earth’s most powerful superfoods, hardworking honeybees also produce two lesser-known byproducts: propolis and royal jelly. And much like honey, these substances are jam-packed with good stuff — vitamins, antioxidants, proteins and amino acids — that can help revitalize our skin at a cellular level. Where honey acts as a powerful, natural humectant to seal in moisture, propolis and royal jelly add extra nutrients to help ward off free radicals and make skin feel smooth, supple and plump. Check out all the amazing beauty benefits of propolis and royal jelly to see how they can transform your skin!

Antioxidant-Rich Propolis: The Natural Skin Soother

Propolis, also known as bee glue, is a resinous mixture found in beehives. This naturally occurring product has been used in medical and antiseptic applications for centuries, and was even favored by the Greek physician Hippocrates. What makes it great? Propolis is beloved for its natural healing capabilities, and is packed with antioxidant properties that can help deeply soothe and smooth damaged skin. For that reason, it’s often used in gentle anti-aging skin care formulas for people with red, damaged, inflamed and acne-prone skin.

Essentially, propolis helps boost the skin’s natural regeneration cycle to leave behind a smoother and suppler appearance. Here are a few more amazing benefits of this beneficial byproduct.

Soothes redness, inflammation and burns

Rejuvenates skin so it appears smoother and younger

Acts as a microbial to prevent acne and bacteria

Vitamin-Packed Royal Jelly: The Elixir of Youth

Honeybees also produce royal jelly, which is sometimes referred to as “the elixir of youth.”

With 132 nutrients, including amino acids, proteins and vitamins A, B, C and E, royal jelly can protect the skin against damage and provide deep softening and hydrating performance. When paired with honey — which helps to provide moisture retention at multiple dermal layers — royal jelly will effortlessly penetrate those deep skin cells that may be neglected. Not only that, but royal jelly can actually help increase collagen production by providing cells with the nutrients they need for skin renewal. Here’s what else it can do:

Promotes new skin growth for treating tired, dull and aging skin

Protects skin against environmental damage via vitamins

Encourages smooth skin by increasing collagen production

Get Your Daily Dose: Products to Try

Ready to see what all the buzz is about? You can get all of the benefits of royal jelly and propolis plus plenty more beauty-boosting ingredients with Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer and Honey Potion Plus Hydration Mask. Use Honey Drop as a long-lasting, lightweight daily moisturizer for all-day hydration. This hydrator is not only packed with honey, royal jelly and propolis, but also contains natural skin-boosters like hyaluronic acid and cupuaçu butter beads to totally revitalize the skin and keep it looking fresh, glowing and youthful. The natural cupuaçu beads melt easily and release long-lasting moisture to nourish and soften the skin, while our Triple Hyaluronic Acid Complex boosts moisture at three skin levels for visible firmness and elasticity.

Use Honey Potion Plus as your go-to revitalizing massage mask. Thanks to a blend of honey, propolis and royal jelly, this facial mask will enhance skin renewal and help you achieve a younger-looking appearance. It also contains glycerin, which acts as a natural humectant to help attract moisture and leave skin feeling moist and supple. Farmacy is committed to providing eco-friendly, ethical honey, propolis and royal jelly products.

The post Beauty Benefits of Propolis and Royal Jelly: What’s the Buzz About? appeared first on Farmacy Beauty.

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