bees

25 July 2016

To be honest I've got a little behind with the blog as work and life are generally busier during the summer months which I'm sure everyone can appreciate. This post is a round up of recent launches which have come my way. 

Odylique Natural Sun Screen Vegan Fairtrade Organic

Odylique* - launched a new SPF 30 Natural Sun Screen for sensitive skin, it's the first to be approved by the Fairtrade Foundation and organically certified. It is also Vegan and cruelty free. The British weather has been so fickle up until recently that I had stashed this away to try on a beach holiday next month. 

10 May 2014


Support local small indie business for natural and organic skincare
I'm someone who is keen to support local business so I'm looking at skincare brands on my doorstep and within my county. It's surprising who you can find and I would encourage you all to take a closer look at the stores and online retailers around you. Here are some great companies that are within my local area -

Carly is the founder and formulator creating handmade skin care products made from natural ingredients that care for, assist and treat even the most sensitive of skin whilst supporting British bees

Founded by Caroline and Simon Cavill who are on a mission to help British bees thrive and survive. Caroline started making honey-based balms, salves and creams at the kitchen table, using ingredients from their own bees. The product range is over 98% natural, uses sustainable ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.

Nicola who is the founder of Fresh Therapies is based Hampshire. You should recognise this product as it has made many appearances on my blog. Her nail polish remover is one of a kind, free from undesirable ingredients and it works brilliantly.

Julia formulates and handcrafts natural plant based products. Natheo Overnight Treat for Hands & Feet has won GOLD in the Hand Foot & Nail Category at the eighth annual Free From Skincare Awards.

Willow creates luxury natural and organic, paraben-free skincare & gifts, formulated with ingredients to provide multi-tasking products that are deeply nourishing.
 
Sarah x

27 February 2014

The Mighty Bee - Venom, Propolis, Honey, Royal Jelly, Beeswax

I am noticing a new trend in natural skincare for all things Bee related but I want to raise awareness that some bee by-products are potential allergens. You will be aware from my reviews, at this moment in time I do not avoid beeswax or honey. I am also going to touch on the issue of cruelty but I understand this is a sensitive topic. Let me talk you through the ingredients used in skincare that Bees produce.

Bee Venom - I am sure most of you understand that venom is the poison which makes a sting painful, but are you aware of how the venom is collected? Bees are given a tiny electric shock as they enter the hive, not enough to kill them (debatable as I'm sure some would die) but just enough to put them in a bad mood so they will release venom. Believe it or not this method is regarded as cruelty free because the alternative would involve killing the bees by removing the stinger and venom sacks. People with an allergy to bee stings need to avoid this ingredient in skincare.

Royal Jelly – secreted from the glands of the bee and used to feed the larvae. Royal Jelly is used in skincare because it is rich in amino acid, vitamins and minerals. To harvest this ingredient a bee hive needs to be encouraged to produce more queen bees. The hive does not survive without a queen bee so she is removed and larvae introduced, this then encourages worker bees to feed the larvae to produce a new queen. I have read that anyone with asthma or allergies may wish to avoid Royal Jelly. Reactions can range from mild skin irritation to anaphylaxis shock.

Propolis – a resinous mixture which is used to seal open spaces in the hive and is collected by Bees from tree buds and sap. Propolis is used in skincare because it seems to have anti inflammatory and skin healing effects. Claims have been made that it can be used to treat allergies but it can cause severe reactions especially if you are sensitive to bees. Some experts believe it can make asthma worse and anyone allergic to conifers, poplars, Peru balsam and salicylates are advised to avoid propolis.

Honey – if you follow natural bloggers, you may have seen the growing popularity in using honey as a cleanser because of the antiseptic, anti inflammatory, healing and moisturing properties. Honey is made when bees transform nectar by a process of regurgitation and evaporation. That does kind of gross me out a little. If you wanted to substitute honey in skincare, then opt for products containing manuka essential oil which is extracted from the species of New Zealand tree called Leptospermum Scoparium. It offers the same benefits as manuka honey but is obtained from the leaves, flowers and wood. If you would like to substitute honey in cooking, Vegan alternatives are Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup, Coconut Nectar and Dates (there are probably more but these are the ones I am familiar with).

Beeswax – worker bees secrete wax from their glands and use it to build the honeycomb cells in the hive. It is used in skincare as a surfactant as it forms a protective barrier on the skin but unlike mineral oil, as with all Bee by-products, it does offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Harvesting the beeswax and honey involves taking it from the hive which they reside in. This is the part of the Vegan argument that likens it to factory farming, forcing the bees to construct the hives for humans to steal from.

The thought process for writing this post was sparked following a Twitter conversation where someone told me propolis would ‘cure’ my eczema. I personally believe that when you have eczema linked to allergies you need to be very wary of this type of advice. From my viewpoint, bee venom and royal jelly are the ingredients that upset me the most due to the method of extraction. I can appreciate the Vegan argument that bee keeping is exploitative and cruel. Writing this blog post has certainly got me thinking in a different way. Eliminating beeswax from my skincare at this time seems a little daunting as several creams I rely on to help manage my eczema contain this ingredient. I'm not against the idea and I will be researching into the alternatives. The decision to avoid ingredients from bees is entirely your own but I hope by sharing my thoughts you can understand why it matters to me and welcome opinions.

Sarah x
image courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/FromNikkiCharms

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