The Sweetest Kind of Skincare | Honey and Propolis in Skincare

It’s one of humans oldest, most treasured foods – the golden nectar of flowers distilled into thick, energy-rich honey. Bees form it in the spring and store it in the winter, to ensure the hive has enough food to survive (as honey never spoils!). Domestic bees, however, always have plentiful food – normally make an abundance of honey, which is harvested for us to eat and use. It’s important that beekeepers take good care of their bees, as if the colony decide they don’t like their home – they'll get out of town to establish a new hive. So, it’s imperative (for both honey production and a healthy bee-farm) to have healthy, happy and safe bees. 

Honey is absolutely beloved, by doctors, chefs and your grandma alike! It’s highly nutritious to eat, rich in vitamins and minerals and rich in antioxidants to improve cell healing. It’s also antibacterial and antiviral – meaning it fights and kills both bacteria and viruses, making it an awesome addition to a cup of tea when you’re not feeling well. It’s been found to improve gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health and respiratory conditions – making it a good addition to your diet to boost immune system and function. 

So, what about skincare? 

Just as its good for your skin, honey is a beloved addition to dermatologists too – for its many hydrating and soothing benefits. It’s been able to boost wound healing, treat irritated and dry skin and even helps heal more serious conditions. Studies have shown, skin can also boost your immune system through your skin, to improve its ability to battle inflammation and bacteria. So, just adding a simple honey product to your routine can help with inflammation, itching and redness. 

It’s also a common recommendation for fine lines – due to its deep moisturizing ability. 

A clinical trial on a honey moisturizer found it boosted skin texture by 21% and reduced wrinkle area by 21%, whilst reducing wrinkle depth by 11%. This means not only is honey balancing your skin immune function, it’s also helping hydrate and bring out your natural radiance – making it a wonderful addition to a skincare routine. 

As mentioned, honey is best for soothing and hydrating. If you are struggling with dry skin, irritation, redness or poor skin texture – look for a hydrating and lightweight honey moisturizer. If you are looking for an at-home treatment, you can gently mix honey with ground oats and yoghurt, to create a soothing face-mask that eradicates redness and irritation in just 10 minutes. You can also add a little honey to your lips before bed, to create a one-ingredient lip mask – that will help battle dryness and give you softer, plumper lips when you wake up! 

In any skincare addition, however, honey is perfect if what you’re struggling with is irritation, dryness or redness. It’s not entirely recommended in acne however, as although it’s anti-bacterial action can help, it is thick enough to clog pores and potentially lead to whiteheads. You can use it with acne-prone skin, but be sure to use wash-off products, that help give you the benefits without uncomfortably sealing your skin barrier. 

If you already love a good honey product, you’ve probably seen that companies love to put ‘propolis’ into skincare. So, is propolis just a fancy honey? Well, it’s a handy ‘bee glue’ that is used to keep hives together and to seal away honey. Rather than from flowers, propolis is made from tree sap, broken down by bees and mixed with a little pollen and essential oils. Similar to honey, however, it does not spoil, is rich in antioxidants and a powerful agent for skin healing. It also protects our skin against UV radiation, to improve skin fine lines, boosts immune function and is antibacterial. Propolis is more lightweight and less sugary and makes a perfect alternative for treating irritated and acne-prone skin.

5. IUNIK Propolis Vitamin Sleeping Mask 
If you are struggling with dull or irritated skin – this sleeping mask has you covered (literally!) It’s 16% sea buckthorn extract (rich in Vitamin C and other minerals) to brighten and improve radiance, with 16% lightweight, golden propolis. With background, hydrating notes of centella asciatica and 6 weights of hyaluronic acid – this mask is perfect to hydrate, boost your glow and have you waking with glassy, smooth skin. 

4. Some By Mi B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum 
When dermatologists found that propolis was a good addition to acne-prone skin, Some By Mi took up the challenge to create a 73% propolis-rich ampoule blended with soothing panthenol, niacinamide, centella asciatica and tea tree water to help refresh redness, spots and hydrate your skin barrier to improve strength. It’s similar to Beauty of Joseon’s famous Glow Serum, which is also perfect to balance an irritated skin barrier for clearer, brighter skin. 

3. Dr Ceuracle Royal Vita Propolis 33 Cream 

Looking for a nourishing, smooth moisturizer to vanish dry skin whilst boosting natural radiance to 100? This cream is a gentle blend of propolis (33%), royal jelly, sea buckthorn extract for a deep vitamin boost, niacinamide and stabilized vitamin C to refresh dark spots and bring out a deeper glow. This cream is peak for honey moisturizers, with a velvety texture that is perfect to moisturize dry skin and refresh radiance. 

2. Cosrx Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner 
Cosrx loves creating simple, but perfect products – and their full propolis toner is a longtime fan favourite for many. It’s 72% black bee propolis, blended with 10% honey, revitalizing cassia extract and hydrating panthenol and sodium hyaluronate. This toner has been revered by dry skin sufferers for its deep hydrating ability, easy layering and quick absorption which has your back every morning and evening. 

1. Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask 
We’re a sucker for a good, refreshing face mask and this is no different. Beauty of Joseon specializes in utilizing traditional, natural Korean ingredients and this soothing face mask draws out impurities with kaolin clay extract, gently exfoliates with rice hull and boosts a deep glow with 5% honey extract. It’s a gentle face mask that helps refresh pores, whilst giving your skin the best of honey’s moisturizing, antibacterial and soothing qualities. 

If you are looking for your new bathtub favourite, soothe your soul with this refreshing and brightening face mask. 

Considering honey has been a part of human life for the last 8000 years, we can only hope it continues. Support your local bee farms with a little tub of your own, enjoy the health benefits of a little teaspoon here and there and maybe even plant some bee-friendly foliage to keep their populations stable and healthy. Honey is a wonder of nature and there is nothing else quite like it – so get it into your routine right away! 

Shop honey products on Arktastic, with the sweetest deals and an unmatched love for bees and honey! 

What skin type is honey best for? 

Honey is deeply moisturizing and soothing and is perfect for dry, irritated or damaged skin barriers. If you struggle with redness, itchiness, dry patches or dull skin – honey is a great addition to help smooth, soften and improve your natural skin texture. Rich in minerals, it helps repel bacteria, improve cell turnover and will help generate softer, clearer skin. For dry skin, honey is best used in a toner or moisturizer – to help seal your skin barrier against water loss and gently plump. 

What skin type is propolis best for? 
Propolis is a soothing remedy made from plant sap that has been processed by honeybees. It’s vibrantly antibacterial and helps repair damaged skin, without clogging pores – making it a great addition for acne-prone or irritated skin. It’s similarly great for dry skin due to its hydrating abilities and is great to help rebuild/repair a damaged skin biome. If you are acne-prone and looking to use propolis, it’s best in a nourishing wash-off face mask or in a gentle, lightweight serum that does not feel cloying or irritating to your face.