Beauty Trends

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Apivita- bees' derivatives and their skin benefits

22 November 2021




Honey, propolis and royal jelly are some of the bees' derivatives used in APIVITA products. Find out what benefits they bring your skin!

There wouldn't be life on Earth without the bees.

Apivita bees

 

These insects are one of the essential pillars that sustain life on our planet. Thanks to pollination, they ensure that thousands of species of flowers, vegetables and fruits subsist. In fact, even if all other pollinators died out, leading to extinctions and mass starvation, we would still not see the end of humanity. We cannot say the same about the end of the bees. If that were to happen, human beings would become extinct due to starvation. The pollination work of these insects is valued at €150 billions, aside from the fact that they are responsible for the preservation of 70% of the world's plants.

This group of highly intelligent animals lives in an organized society and practices very well defined rules. In each hive there is only one queen bee, about 10,000 to 40,000 worker bees and between 0 and 2000 drones.

The worker bees may live from 30 days to 6 months, depending on the season. They have various roles, such as collecting nectar and pollen from flowers, producing substances like the propolis and honey, ventilate and clean the hive or even take care of the queen bee and the young.

The queen bee can live up to 6 years and her function is to ensure offspring. She mates only once in her early life, outside the hive, in a ritual called "mating dance", in which she is fertilized by several drones and stores their sperm in a structure called spermatheca. It is important that this ritual is successful, otherwise she will be killed by the worker bees and replaced by another queen bee.

The third type of bee is the drone, which only has the function of fertilizing the queen bee, to ensure the propagation of the species. Drones have no stingers, and in times of cold and scarcity of resources, they may be removed from the hive for not having a contributory role. However, it is known that they sometimes help the worker bees to heat the hive, and especially the incubators of the larvae. They live from 1 week to 8 months.

 

 

What treasures do bees bring us?
 

Apivita honey
HONEY

After collecting pollen, worker bees can turn it into honey. This "nectar of the gods" is an excellent source of carbohydrates and is their main food, as well as that of the drones.

In cosmetic formulation it is widely used for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It also favors skin repair with a unique action regarding healing and reinforcement of the skin barrier. It also moisturizes and nourishes, with soothing and emollient action, which improves the skin's appearance, since it offers a filling effect. It absorbs and retains water in the lower layers of the epidermis and works as a prebiotic.

 

 

 

Apivita propolis


PROPOLIS

Propolis is a resinous substance produced by worker bees, through the harvest of flora resins, which are modified by the action of enzymes in their saliva. It is used to protect the hive from intruders and the cold, maintaining the ideal temperature for the growth of the young. It is also useful to disinfect the interior of the hive, especially the alveoli where the queen lays her eggs. It is also used to mummify intruders, preventing putrefaction and consequent contamination of the hive, and also serves as an entrance mat when the bees arrive home.

In propolis we find more than 150 different substances, such as polyphenols, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, enzymes, among many others. This combination of ingredients has incredible effects on the skin, since it has a recognized anti-inflammatory action, protects vitamin C from oxidation, and is in perfect harmony with the skin's natural microbiome. Propolis also improves blood circulation in the capillaries, and is known as a natural antibiotic, with antifungal, analgesic and immunostimulant properties. These and many other benefits have been identified in several scientific studies. It is without a doubt an antioxidant shield that will leave your skin more protected and younger!

 

 

 

Apivita royal jelly


ROYAL JELLY

The royal jelly is the exclusive nourishment that is only available for the queen bee (except during the first 3 days of the larval period when all bees consume it). It is often called the 'elixir of longevity" and is a unique "epigenetic" superfood, which has the ability to activate the genes that turn any bee into a queen.

We humans can benefit from its ability to stimulate metabolism, memory and other cognitive functions, to lower blood cholesterol and fatigue. We can also use it as an effective supplement during pregnancy and menopause.

This antioxidant jelly is capable of accelerating skin renewal and provides essential nutrients to deeply regenerate and smooth the skin. It stimulates the activity of proteins related to youth and promotes the synthesis of structural fibers, such as collagen, for a firm, dense and elastic skin with redefined contours. It is especially recommended in products with regenerating purposes, such as those intended for mature skin, dry skin or that lack luminosity.

 

 

 

Apivita beeswax


BEESWAX

Produced by young worker bees, it is essential for the development of the hive (for the creation and sealing of the combs). The bees swallow and digest the honey, transforming it into wax, which solidifies only when it comes in touch with the outdoor temperature. To secrete 1 kg of beeswax, they need to consume 6 to 7 kg of honey.

This wax is extremely strong: The amount contained in a comb may weigh about 70 g and contain up to 2 kg of honey, which is equivalent to a 70 kg person lifting a 2 tons weight!

It is used in cosmetic care with numerous benefits, because it is rich in fatty acids, which are compatible with skin lipids. It also has moisturizing and softening properties (it helps the skin maintain water reserves and gain elasticity), and provides a rich texture to cosmetics, leaving the skin with an extraordinary feeling of comfort.




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