ASCP Skin Deep

MAY | JUNE 2020

Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1236015

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 41 of 92

find your dream career! ascpskincare.com/career-toolkits 39 expertadvice INGREDIENTS Beauty and the Bees In the process of pollinating the planet, bees make some great skin care products by Lauren Snow There are more than 25,000 known species of bees around the world. And as they buzz around pollinating plants and basically keeping the planet alive, they create by-products that humans have found a great many uses for. Many bee by-products are used for food, but you'll also find them flourishing in skin care. SWARM-WORTHY SKIN CARE As trends shift toward more natural living and clean ingredients, bee products have created a buzz in the beauty and wellness world. Found in everything from cleansers and toners to serums and moisturizers, the big by-products—honey, propolis, royal jelly, and beeswax—offer some amazing benefits for several common skin conditions. Honey Honey has myriad benefits to the skin, and one of the most significant is wound healing. In a study on pediatric dermatitis where a mixture of honey, beeswax, and olive oil was applied to the diaper area or on eczematic areas of children, the clinical trial showed that the honey mixture was well tolerated by this sensitized skin, and the skin had significant improvement.1 When applied to acne lesions, honey can soothe and disinfect the surface. Its naturally acidic pH prohibits bacteria survival, and it pulls oil from the lesion and absorbs it. According to a study in the Scientific World Journal, honey even contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, which is known to kill Cutibacterium acnes bacteria.2 Honey is full of antiaging qualities, as well as serving as an emollient, a humectant, and an exfoliator. Honey also contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and natural enzymes. Propolis Propolis is a resinous substance that serves as a "glue" inside the beehive. It is mostly composed of resin and wax, with essential oils and pollen from flowers making up the remaining portion. Propolis is one of the most potent antimicrobial substances found in nature. In the beehive, it is used to seal holes and cracks, keeping the hive protected from the spread of bacteria and fungus. In skin care, propolis has healing properties due to its wide range of "anti" properties—antibacterial, antiseptic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal. It is the most- used honeybee by-product in skin care products.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of ASCP Skin Deep - MAY | JUNE 2020