At Sans Skincare, our passion for natural beauty goes hand in hand with our love of bees. This summer, our hives are expected to produce an incredible 1,500 pounds of honey, yes, 1,500 pounds! While honey is a golden treasure with endless uses, I’m just as excited about something a little less known: propolis.
What Is Propolis?
Propolis is sometimes called “bee glue.” It’s a sticky, resin-like substance that bees collect from tree buds and sap. Inside the hive, they use it to:
- Seal cracks and keep out intruders.
- Protect against bacteria, fungi, and disease.
- Maintain a sterile, safe environment for the colony.
This incredible substance isn’t just useful for bees, it has powerful benefits for humans, too.
Natural Benefits of Propolis
Modern research confirms what beekeepers have known for centuries: propolis is a natural healer. Its key properties include:
- Antibacterial and Antiseptic – Helps fight harmful bacteria and supports skin health.
- Anti-Inflammatory – Reduces redness and irritation, making it helpful for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- Wound Protection – Historically used to promote healing of minor cuts, burns, and scrapes.
One fascinating fact: when a large intruder (too heavy for the bees to carry out) dies inside the hive, the colony coats it in propolis. This protective barrier prevents bacteria from the decaying body from spreading inside the hive. Nature’s ingenuity at its best!
How We Harvest It
Our hives are fitted with special propolis traps, flexible trays with hundreds of tiny ridges and grooves. To bees, these ridges feel like gaps in the hive, so they instinctively fill them with propolis. Once the tray is coated, it can be removed, and the propolis collected safely, without harming the colony.
For now, our bees rest quietly through the cooler months, sleeping, eating, and occasionally peeking outside to check the weather. Soon enough, the warmth of summer will arrive, and our busy bees will get back to work creating honey and propolis that nourish not only their hive, but also our skincare.
🗝️ Key Takeaway
Honey and propolis aren’t just gifts from bees, they’re powerful natural ingredients with antibacterial, soothing, and skin-nourishing benefits that we’re excited to share in Sans Skincare.
Recommended Sans Product
Made with honey powder, this gentle scrub smooths, softens, and nourishes lips while celebrating the gifts of our bees.
Comment
Europeans know much more about propolis than we do: it’s regularly used as a tincture, for instance. How are you going to use it?