You have to hand it those bees… They really know how to produce. The most obvious fruit of their efforts is honey (which has myriad benefits for the skin as well) but another buzzworthy byproduct is propolis. This different kind of sticky stuff is used to seal holes in the hive, which helps prevent invasion by parasites, disease, fungi and bacteria. In terms of human benefits, propolis has been used as a skin protectant and healing aid in traditional medicine for thousands of years, and the beauty world is finally catching on.
It just so happened that two products with propolis landed on my desk in one week (hence the inspiration for this post). The first was Pixi Beauty’s new Glow Mist, which can be used anytime and anywhere skin needs a little pick-me-up, whether under makeup, over makeup or to revive your makeup in the middle of the day. In addition to propolis, it also contains argan oil (which is rife with antioxidants), 12 other natural oils, soothing aloe vera and fruit extracts.
The second propolis product—which is still sitting on my desk—is Charlotte Tilbury’s brand-new Lip Magic. I have to admit I still feel a little guilty about spending $35 on a lip balm—but the guilt diminishes little by little every time I use it. Just as propolis seals holes in the hive, this balm essentially seals moisture into the lips (and it makes a great base for lipstick). Beyond propolis it contains hyaluronic acid, argan oil, shea butter, beeswax, olive oil, jojoba seed oil and more, for an indulgent treat that keeps your pout in perfect condition.
Do you have any propolis-powered beauty essentials I should know about?
