1 The idea of bee venom in skin care products is sure to shock clients, but with results like these, clients just cannot resist its appeal.

Bee venom is very popular in the United Kingdom and it is slowly gaining popularity in China and the United States. High-profile clients, including members of the British Royal family, such as the Dutchess of Cornwall and Duchess Kate Middleton, have reportedly received bee venom treatments to prepare for public events.

Bee venom's powerful activity lies in its ability to fool the skin into thinking it has been lightly stung. When applied topically, the ingredient first triggers a slight tingling sensation. The skin combats the "sting" by first producing a noticeable tightening sensation. The skin's healing process is then initiated so that the production of collagen and elastin can be increased in order to regenerate structures in the site that has been affected, which the skin perceives as damaged.

Users claim that plumping and volumizing results appear in as little as five days.2 Masks and moisturizers are the most common products that contain bee venom, but this active can also be found in eye creams or serums.

It is important to emphasize that no bees are harmed in the collection of this ingredient. Given the growing concern regarding the Earth's diminishing bee population, beekeepers have taken every precaution to ensure that the venom is collected without harming the hive. To harvest the venom, beekeepers first place a glass lid over the hives. Irritated that they are trapped, bees respond by stinging the glass. By using the glass to confine the bees, it is ensured that they are not killed by the sting itself, nor do they lose their stingers. Since the stinger cannot penetrate the glass, it remains intact and the venom can be scraped off the glass, inspected, and filtered.2 Bee venom is not only collected for use in skin care, but also for the treatment of medical conditions, like arthritis. Bee venom may not be the most traditional skin care ingredient, but its powerful results have secured its place in the skin care world as an elite anti-aging active.

References
1 Mahmoud, A. (2012). "Studies on Bee Venom and its Medical Uses." International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, 1(2).
2 Gram, K. (2012, May 14). "Bee-auty Product Puts Sting on Age Lines." Vancouver Sun.