It did not take long for Queen of the Hive Face Contour Cream to prove its weight in golden honey goodness. It contains not just any honey but rather the crème de la crème of anti-bacterial, healing, skin-soothing honeys—organic manuka honey.
Lately, only select creams are my friends. I can not use many of them successfully due to the assortment of other ingredients that are necessary to bind the oils to water in the formula and to give the product a longer shelf life. These are often fillers and preservatives that don’t always work well for sensitive or inflamed skin types. Since my skin tends to erupt like the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, it was kinda a big deal when Queen of the Hive not only eased my troubles, it also felt really soothing and healing when applied to my skin.
Another happy discovery was learning that no bees are harmed in collecting the bee venom. Maintaining a thriving bee population is more than a hot topic, it’s a real concern. The other feature that I value is Wedderspoon’s attention to eco-friendly packaging. The company took extra measures to reduce its 100 percent recyclable packaging by an estimated 70 percent, plus it’s designed on 88 percent recycled stock.
I loved this product so much that I asked Kelly Nelson, a media rep for Wedderspoon, all about the select ingredients in the company’s latest successful endeavor. (The raw organic manuka active honey 16+ is already a darling of Spirit Beauty Lounge and many other beauty aficionados).
With several emails back and forth, I appreciated her openness and willingness to answer all my questions—even when I started digging into the nitty gritty on bee venom. That certainly reflects well on the company. I truly thank you and applaud you, Kelly and team!*
What are the skin-loving benefits of raw manuka honey and bee venom in Queen of the Hive?
Manuka honey has been shown to have a higher concentration of therapeutic anti-inflammatory properties than other types of honey– though scientists aren’t sure what these properties are exactly, they are working on it as we speak! What we do know is that this unique combination of enzymes, pollen, hydrogen peroxide and non-peroxide makes manuka a necessity in your beauty regimen. Enzymes in manuka honey remove dead skin cells and help skin regeneration while anti-inflammatory properties calm redness and problem skin. Manuka fanatics swear it reduces the appearance of acne scars and decrease the size and duration of pimples. As a humectant, manuka helps dry or itchy skin retain moisture and imparts a supple, youthful glow. Additionally, its properties make it an effective daily facial cleanser as well!
Our newly released Queen of the Hive line of body and facial care products features organic manuka honey. Specifically, our Face Contour Cream contains premium bee venom, rare New Zealand organic manuka honey, Egyptian geranium oil, evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, marshmallow root and other natural botanical oils. These natural ingredients and antioxidants have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce dryness, repair sun damage, plump fine lines and even skin tone.
Bee Venom in combination with manuka honey work to stimulate, nourish and intensely moisturize skin.
Bee venom has been used through bee-sting therapy for centuries in all cultures. The actual healing process is the subject of ongoing research, which has identified a number of naturally occurring chemical compounds appearing to work together in the body. One possible way that venom works its anti inflammatory effects is by assisting in the production of cortisone in the human body, without the side effects of synthetic cortisone. Bee venom is known to increase circulation and stimulate the production of collagen, elastin and cortisone, filling in those tiny lines and wrinkles.
Queen of the Hive products are organic and contain no sodium lauryl sulfate, no petroleum, no mineral oil, no parabens and no artificial color.
What products include these ingredients?
All of the Queen of the Hive products use our premium, raw, organic manuka honey– our Face Contour Cream, the Manuka Honey and Peppermint Lip Balm as well as our Oatmeal and Tea Tree Soaps. [Bee venom is used exclusively in the face contour cream.]
What realistic results can you expect to see?
You can expect results from the first use! Immediately skin feels plumper, softer and more even-toned. After daily use you will find even more dramatic results—clearer, more youthful looking and moisturized skin whether you’ve been using your manuka products on your lips, face, or body.
What customers are saying about it…
Our customers love that they are getting a pure, organic alternative to chemical laden skin products that show tangible results on your skin. With our manuka-based line, you know you’re using clean products that actually work wonders for your skin.
Bonus question: Name one product (yours or in another line) that you can’t live without. (Just for fun, cuz we all want to know!)
I honestly can’t live without our Manuka honey. I use it daily (morning and night) to wash my face and have seen such a change in my skin. I had been suffering from the dreaded breakout plus beginning signs of aging combo, but since I’ve been using manuka honey for cleansing and acne spot treatment, along with the Bee Venom Face Contour Cream, I’ve seen dramatic results in my skin’s texture. The breakouts are controlled and my skin looks more youthful too.
Can the skin be “fooled” into being stung? My Edible Facial notes on Bee Venom or apitoxin
Here’s what a Wedderspoon press release says about bee venom:
Bee venom is used topically to ‘fool’ the skin into thinking it has been lightly stung. This action causes the body to increase blood flow to the area and stimulates the production of the naturally occurring chemicals collagen and elastin. Collagen strengthens body tissue while elastin is the protein that helps the skin to remain firm.
Marta Wohrle, the founder of Truth in Aging, does extensive research when it comes to ingredients. She found that bee venom mainly consists of peptides. It acts as a strong anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, plus it contains 19 different active components, according to a review on the topic.
Personally, I am on the fence and I’ll explain why.
I do find that using honey markedly improves my skin. With honey-based masks (particularly those with high Organic Manuka Active ratings as in Wedderspoon’s honeys), the enzymes and phytochemical compounds activate my skin’s healing processes, leading to an immediate turnaround in scars, blemishes, and many other issues. When I say immediate—I do mean that. It’s no hype. But let’s take a look at the ingredients:
Canadian glacial water, *rose hydrosol (rosa damascena), lanette wax (cocos nuciferia, cetearyl glucoside, cetearyl alcohol), *apricot kernel oil (prunus armeniaca kernel oil), *cocoa butter (theobroma cacao seed butter), *hydrolyzed rhizobian gum, acacia senegal gum, *manuka active (OMA) honey (mel), *refined avocado oil (persea gratissima oil), *beeswax (cera alba), natural phenethyl alcohol, *marshmallow root (althaea officinalis root), *rosehip oil (rosa fruit oil), *evening primrose oil (oenothera biennis oil), *vitamin e (mixed tocopherols), *vanilla (vanilla planifolia), *ylang ylang essential oil (cananga odorate flower), *egyptian geranium oil (pelargonium graveolens oil), bee venom (Apitoxin).
*ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
Frankly, I’m uncertain about the function of bee venom in this cream—especially when it’s included as the last ingredient. Most ingredients on a label are listed in order of the amount present in the formula. So I’m not sure what quantity is actually used or how much is needed to create the coveted “bee stung” effect. Perhaps, Kelly or Wedderspoon will offer an answer to my question in the comments. I’m also uncertain about whether or not it matters that much, as this results-driven cream offers many other perks beyond the bee venom.
Aside from the healing properties, my skin reaps the benefits of an ample firming effect when using the Face Contour Cream, thanks to the addition of hydrating and pigment-fading ingredients, like apricot kernel oil, cocoa butter, avocado oil, rosehip oil, evening primrose oil, and more. At 44, firmness can sometimes feel like a long lost friend whom you wave to from afar. (Helloooo down there!) The honey-sweet cream eases into my skin like butter melting into a warm croissant (yes, I’m hungry right now) and leaves nary a trace behind. That’s good because residual product likes to clog up my pores, so instant absorption is no laughing matter.
At the end of the day—bee stung or not—this product is a keeper.
If you’d like to try this incredible cream (and I highly encourage it!), Wedderspoon is offering 25% off plus a free lip balm with purchase.
Head on over to read other awesome reviews on My Lucite Dreams and on Kristen Arnett’s Green Beauty Team.
Do you use any products containing honey? What results do you find?
Psst! Tonight is the big True Beauty Brooklyn event! Hope to see you there.
*I purchased the cream myself and do not receive any benefits from endorsing these products. All material including photos in the post are my own (other than the featured image which I’m using with permission from Wedderspoon).
wow…I’ve been hearing EVERYONE talk about this. I guess I need to get it now! thank you for the review..I’m sold!
It’s truly a wonderful cream, Tina. I think you’d really enjoy it!
Wow – another amazing product to try – thank you, Sarita. I am a big fan of already of the Wedderspoon Manuka throat lozenges ! I was using the Weddersppon honey in my tea until I discovered the Organic Thyme Honey from Crete which is distributed by Hellenic Farms. It is truly another universe in honey – it feels so healing and tastes so delicious – I can only say in true Greek fashion that this must be the foods of the Goddesses & Gods ! In addition there is scientific research to back up the healing qualities I detect in this amazing elixir : “Greek Thyme Honey May Help Prevent Breast, Prostate, Endometrial Cancer
Bioactivity of Greek Honey Extracts on Breast Cancer (MCF-7), Prostate Cancer (PC-3) and Endometrial Cancer (Ishikawa) Cells: Profile Analysis of Extracts
Historically, honey has been important in Greek culture. The chemical composition and the potential of Greek honey extracts (thyme, pine and fir honey) to influence the estrogenic activity and the cell viability of breast (MCF-7), endometrial (Ishikawa) and prostate (PC-3) cancer cells were investigated. All honeys contained total phenolics, phenolic acids, and hydroxymethylfurfural, the levels being highest in thyme honey.
Sugars and volatile compounds, but not fatty acids, were detected in all honey extracts. Thyme, pine and fir honey showed both antiestrogenic and a weak estrogenic effect at low and high concentration, respectively, in MCF-7 cells. Thyme honey reduced the viability of Ishikawa and PC-3 cells, whereas fir honey stimulated the viability of MCF-7 cells.
In conclusion, Greek honeys are rich in phenolic compounds, they modulate estrogenic activity whereas a thyme honey-enriched diet may prevent cancer related processes in breast, prostate and endometrial cancer cells.”
Food Chemistry Study
For more info on this amazing product go to : http://www.hellenicfarms.com
Their organic teas, organic olive oil and herbs are also amazing – another level in purity & freshness.
P.S. – I bought this honey & other Helllenic Farms products after trying them at an event – I am not getting paid for this description.
As for a beauty product I cannot live without, I have to say it is my very own Pangea Organics Egyptian Geranium facial scrub. It is truly gentle and leaves my skin soft and polished without striping away its natural oils. I love to follow up with our award winning Japanese Matcha facial mask . Because these products are gentle enough to use everyday, I often do as their organic flower and herb content give me an uplifting feeling and make me feel sparkling new and nourished !
To experience the goodness please visit my site and feel free to contact me should you have any questions. http://www.pangeaorganics.com/ElaineSpringer
In addition, the women who owns Hellenic Farms is a sweetheart – her name is Vivianna Karamanis and I would be happy to connect you to her if you are interested in her products.
See you tonight, Sarita ! Thank you for all the knowledge and expertise you bring to our world !
As we discussed on Twitter, I would like to explain how bee venom is collected. The Bees are given a tiny electric shock as they enter the hive so they will release venom. I don’t regard this method as cruelty free and I think it’s debatable whether the bees are harmed. Since the alternative would involve killing the bees by removing the stinger and venom sacks, I guess this is why an electric shock method is considered as “harmless”.
Thank you so much for sharing, Sarah. This gives me much to consider when using a product that contains bee venom in the future. It is also something that I hope Wedderspoon will consider going forward too.
Reblogged this on .
Ooh! I think I may need to try this. I’m currently working through my Kahina night cream and the Grown Alchemist night cream, but this is going on the list!
As ever, you have impeccable taste, Lola! XO
I am a big fan of manuka honey and am definitely impressed by the brand’s transparency and eco-conscious practice. Thanks for another insightful post!
I’m sure Manuka Honey is great, but I’ve had great success with just raw organic honey…I love using it as a facewash or mask…
Sarita, to answer your question about why bee venom is the last ingredient added: The Bee Venom is one of the last ingredients to be mixed into the cream during the manufacturing process, this is to ensure the active ingredient is not damaged during the formulation process. Thanks for this lovely post!!!
Thank you! That is good to know. Your answers throughout the process have been incredibly helpful. I truly appreciate it!
HI Sarita – great review – my question is related to those allergic to bee stings…or those that might not know they are allergic. Is this a concern with this product?