Abstract
Honey, honey extracts, and bee products belong to traditionally used bioactive molecules in many areas. The aim of the study was primarily to evaluate the effect of cosmetic matrices containing honey and bee products on the skin. The study is complemented by a questionnaire survey on the knowledge and awareness of the effects and potential uses of bee products. The effect of bee molecules at various concentrations was observed by applying 12 formulations to the skin of the volar side of the forearm by non-invasive bioengineering methods on a set of 24 volunteers for 48 h. Very good moisturizing properties have been found in matrices with the glycerin extract of honey. Matrices containing forest honey had better moisturizing effects than those containing flower honey. Barrier properties were enhanced by gradual absorption, especially in formulations with both glycerin and aqueous honey extract. The observed organoleptic properties of the matrices assessed by sensory analysis through 12 evaluators did not show statistically significant differences except for color and spreadability. There are differences in the ability to hydrate the skin, reduce the loss of epidermal water, and affect the pH of the skin surface, including the organoleptic properties between honey and bee product matrices according to their type and concentration.
Highlights
Bees are important to humans by pollinating many species of plants, thereby helping to multiply them, and by creating unique products containing a range of bioactive molecules that have been used for centuries in human nutrition, folk medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetics
The measurement of hydration, barrier, and pH effects on the skin due to the effect of prepared cosmetic matrices were preceded by a 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) skin pretreatment, the so-called washing test, which simulated the use of cosmetics during personal hygiene, such as showers or washes, and another purpose was to eliminate differences in skin properties at the site of intended application
Very good moisturizing properties have been found in emulsion matrices with a glycerin extract of honey, which is attributed to the synergistic effect of glycerin present, which is a traditional humectant very often used in cosmetic products
Summary
Bees are important to humans by pollinating many species of plants, thereby helping to multiply them, and by creating unique products containing a range of bioactive molecules that have been used for centuries in human nutrition, folk medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetics. Bee products may be of both vegetal and animal origin. The products of vegetal origin include those molecules that bees collect in the wild and bring to the hive, where they process them for their needs. These include propolis—the compound from the flower and leaf buds of alder, birch and other trees, pollen—the floral pollen of flowering plants and honey—the nectar of flowering plants, or honeydew produced by the Homoptera insecta. Bee products of animal origin include substances that the bee itself secrete in its own body. The composition, color, aroma, and biological activity of bee products depend on the location, time, and source of the plant from which they are obtained
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