What Is Propolis, a New Skincare Ingredient?
This Popular New Skincare Ingredient Comes From Bees (and It's NOT Honey!)
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As you probably know, bee honey has become a very buzzy skincare ingredient lately. (See: Bath & Body Works' cute and covetable Shower Gel With Pure Honey). But there's actually another lesser-known bee byproduct that can lead to great skin.
Queen Bees, let's all give a warm welcome to propolis, a resinous sealant naturally made by bees to keep unwanted intruders out of their hives. Turns out, it also happens to do the same thing for your face by banishing the dirt, grime, grease, and bacteria that cause blemishes. Since it contains antioxidants (like flavonoids), plus antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, propolis has long been an under-the-radar skincare ingredient favored by cult brands and the beauty junkies who shop there.
In the past year, propolis has been picking up steam on Reddit boards and beauty forums, which has led to many brands breaking out the extract as a key skincare ingredient. If you suffer from bacterial acne, propolis is a good choice to clear up your skin and speed the recovery process. If your concern is dry skin, propolis also packs a potent punch of hydration and moisture that soothes everything from a sunburn to eczema.
Read on to learn more about this ingredient (although it goes without saying that if you're allergic to bees, you should probably not mess around with propolis).
Mizon Enjoy Vital-Up Time Calming Mask
This Mizon Enjoy Vital-Up Time Calming Mask ($4) is made of a long fiber that expertly frames your face to provide a good fit — and even better payoff. Propolis works immediately to soothe redness and irritated skin. It also contains the ingredients trehalose and hyaluronic acid, which are extremely moisturizing. That means your hands and immediate surroundings may get soaked as you open this packaging, but we promise that clear skin is worth the mess.
SkinFood Royal Honey Propolis Essence
Just like your soul thirsts for [insert favorite hot celebrity here], dry skin needs quenching, too. This SkinFood Royal Honey Propolis Essence ($38) quickly absorbs into dehydrated skin, whether it's ravaged by Winter, a recent flight, or a flaky skin condition. Just a few drops of this serum are all you need for instant hydration without the risk of breakouts. And don't worry — that sticky residue you'll feel when you first apply this essence quickly subsides into nothing but calming, comforting goodness.
Tosowoong Pure Propolis Mask Pack
You'll notice that this Tosowoong Pure Propolis Mask Pack ($2) is thicker than others you may have tried — that's because it's packed with the hero ingredient, plus two antiaging agents called niacinamide and adenosine. If your usual acne fighter leaves your skin red or irritated, this mask works great as a hydrating backup. Although it's hefty (at eight ounces, it's as potent as some small serum bottles), it still goes on light enough to wear under makeup — although the formula just might leave your skin glowing enough to go bare!
The Soap Works Bee Pollen Soap
This Soap Works Bee Pollen Soap ($2) is made by collecting pollen from bees in Canadian farms. While it's gentle enough to wash your face with, you don't have to stop there — it also works into a luxurious lather that helps all parts of the body. Bacne and dermatitis won't stand a chance against this vitamin-packed soap.
The Smim Firming Care Essence
The paraben-free Smim Firming Care Essence ($59) is made with a mixture of yogurt and propolis to tighten skin and improve elasticity. Since this product prevents against both wrinkles and blemishes, it's the perfect serum for anyone in their mid-20s who's got their eyes on preventative care but isn't immune to breakouts just yet.
Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask With Echinacea GreenEnvy
First things first: the Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask With Echinacea GreenEnvy ($56) comes with a spatula applicator that's magnetic, and therefore ridiculously fun to play with. It also warms upon application and foams into a rich cream that lathers all over your skin for an at-home spa experience. It's not just for your face, either: this soothing lotion can be utilized all the way down to your neck and décolleté.
Hey Honey Come Clean Propolis & Minerals Facial Scrub
If scrubs are more your jam, you'll swoon for the Hey Honey Come Clean Propolis & Minerals Facial Scrub ($24), which minimizes pores and kills dead skin cells with fancy crystalline beads. While you'll notice this formula feels heavy to the touch, it's actually a gentle exfoliant so you won't feel a thing while it works its bacteria-killing magic.
