Humectant

Royal Jelly

INCI: Propolis Extract

Reviewed by Rosie · Last updated 18 Aug 2026

Also known as: Propolis Wax

Royal jelly is a substance created by worker bees

What Is Royal Jelly?

Royal jelly is a substance created by worker bees. The myriad claims about royal jelly are anecdotal and have no research to substantiate them. Regardless of where the royal jelly is sourced, its chemical breakdown is mostly water, followed by proteins, sugars, a tiny amount of fats and trace amonuts of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. None of this is the key to improved signs of ageing, though components in royal jelly can function as water-binding agents.

Not surprisingly, topical application of this bee-produced ingredient can aggravate skin. However, it is rarely used in high enough concentrations to cause problems. Royal jelly is highly unstable and will break down if packaged in a jar that routinely exposes it to light and air. Also, ideally, it requires refrigeration to maintain efficacy.

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Part of a family

Royal Jelly is a variant of Propolis Extract, the form you will most often see on an ingredients list.

Made by honeybees | Rich in phenolic compounds + flavonoids

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