Bee venom is on the rise as a skincare and beauty agent most commonly found in masks, oils, serums, lotions and lip care treatments for various benefits to promote
healthy aging and skin. “Bee venom is a naturally derived substance collected from bees and is essentially a complex mixture of proteins,” says
Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Miami.
For use in beauty and skin care, bee venom is generally harvested without harming bees. As for reasons to include bee venom in your skincare routine, here are a few touted benefits, which explain its recent gain in popularity.
Benefits of Bee Venom in Beauty and Skin Care
Bee venom is known to have
anti-aging properties.
“When applied to the skin, it tricks the body into thinking it's been stung, which stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which are two proteins that keep skin firm and youthful,” Chacon explains.
It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, too, meaning it’s an effective ingredient for treating acne and other skin inflammations or inflammatory conditions, too. Bee venom can also help promote good, healthy circulation, “helping to naturally detoxify skin and give it a healthy glow,” Chacon says.
And, since
bee venom is natural, it’s also a wonderful alternative to harsher chemical treatments by offering a gentler approach to skin care. (This is especially useful for sensitive skin types, too.)
Drawbacks of using bee venom in skin care
Despite its benefits, there are some drawbacks to note, or rather things to be cautious about. Most significant is the risk of an allergic reaction.
“People who are allergic to bee stings should avoid using bee venom products as they can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis,” Chacon warns.
However, even in those without allergies to bees, it can cause skin irritation, redness and swelling. Therefore, it's always recommended to perform a patch test before using any new product on skin, which extends to bee venom. If a reaction of any kind results, immediately cease use and consider speaking to a doctor, if concerned.
Using bee venom in skin care
Most common uses of bee venom in skincare and beauty products are as an ingredient in face and body or skin topicals, such as face and body masks and lotions, oils and serums. Using bee venom in a
face mask is especially useful, with
Biohoney Certified Organic Bee Venom Mask as an optimal choice.
“It’s a good product for several reasons,” Chacon says. “It combines the benefits of bee venom with other organic ingredients like
Manuka honey, which is known for its skin-soothing and healing properties.”
Due to its rich ingredient profile, this mask is designed to stimulate skin renewal, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture and tone as a top
product to boost anti-aging effects. Additionally, it's certified organic, meaning it's free of harmful chemicals and pesticides, and it contains high grade manuka honey for quality measures. It also contains
lavender for soothing and healing skin as well as other skin-supporting oils, such as rosehip, apricot and
avocado oil.
When applying, use a small amount on freshly cleaned skin, avoiding the eye area. Dr. Chacon advises leaving the mask on for 20 minutes before rinsing off, but you may also choose to sleep in it and wear it as an
overnight face mask, if you’d like, too. You may also apply in the day and morning, if preferred. Use consistently as part of a routine for maximum benefits and results.
Other bee products with beauty benefits
There are more reasons to include products containing honey or bee pollen as ingredients in skin care and beauty.
Bee pollen reduces inflammation and is anti-aging, and it offers various nutrients to support skin health overall. Honey’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich profile makes it incredibly effective for soothing and moisturizing, and combating signs of aging, leaving skin more youthful in appearance with a fresh and healthy glow.
You can also reap
manuka honey’s benefits in your skincare routine. For instance, a facial cleanser with honey hydrates and softens skin to create a dewy, smooth complexion, and since it’s rich in enzymes, it’s great for exfoliation and removing dead skin cells, too. So, if you’re prone to oil buildup or acne, an exfoliating facial cleanser with manuka honey can be particularly useful. A
body wash with honey also calms and moisturizes skin. Lastly, honey conditions hair and is often used in conditioners,
masks and treatments for hydration, repair and nourishment.
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