STRAIGHT FROM THE BEES TO YOUR LIPS

First came the bees, then honey, and the beeswax. Or so I would narrate my introduction to the world of these winged creatures who produce the sweetest and the most natural nectar accessible to humans. Honey was, to my limited knowledge, the only by-product of the buzzing activities, but then I met beeswax.

Rather, it came to me in the form of a candle. And then I met it in my lip balm! Really, what do the scale-like flakes of wax made by honeybees from glands on the underside of their abdomens have to do with my lips?

A lot, it seems. And, unknown to me, it has been used for beauty care for thousands of years and was particularly popular in ancient civilisations like Egypt and Rome. It is typically harvested from the hive by beekeepers, who remove the comb containing the beeswax and extract the wax by melting it down and filtering out impurities. In recent years, it gained popularity mainly because of its natural and nourishing properties.

The newly-found interest in natural and organic beauty products has also contributed to the popularity of beeswax. As consumers become more aware of the potential dangers of synthetic chemicals in beauty products, they seek out natural alternatives, and beeswax is a prime example of a safe, natural, and effective ingredient.

The endorsement by celebrities as an essential ingredient for beauty treatment has of course helped. Hollywood and Bollywood actors, models and fashionistas have often given credit to beeswax for moisturising their face and lips, highlighting its ability to soothe and hydrate the skin. British actress Emma Watson has also promoted the use of beeswax in beauty products, saying that she loves using natural products, including beeswax-based balms, as they are gentle and nourishing for the skin.

So, what happens when I use a lip balm which has beeswax as an ingredient? Like my favourite from Soilscents, the one which also has spearmint and vanilla.

With beeswax as an active ingredient, the Lip balm works by creating a barrier on the surface of the lips that helps lock in moisture and prevent dryness. This barrier also helps protect the lips from environmental factors such as wind, sun, and cold weather, which can cause dryness and cracking.

In addition to beeswax, this lip balm contains other ingredients that help hydrate and nourish the lips, such as natural oils of almonds, spearmint and vanilla, shea butter, cocoa butter, and vitamin E. These ingredients work together to provide long-lasting hydration and promote healthy, soft lips. Especially when the weather changes and the effect is reflected the most on the lips as they crack and look quite aged all of a sudden.

A lip balm with beeswax is an excellent choice for anyone looking to keep their lips moisturised and protected from the elements. They apply a thin, smooth layer of this lip balm on your lips and keep it the whole day. You can reapply throughout the day as needed, and see for yourself the magic it created o your lips.

Yes, we owe the bees a lot!