The Buzz About Bee-Based Beauty: Nature’s Most Powerful Skincare Allies

Nature often hides its most potent remedies in plain sight—and few are as remarkable as the gifts of the hive. For centuries, bee-derived ingredients have been cherished across cultures for their ability to heal, protect, and renew. Today, those ancient remedies are finding new life in modern skincare, with science now validating what traditional communities have known for generations.

At Bulk Naturals Wholesale, we’ve curated a collection of powerful bee-based ingredients to support holistic skin health. From the luxurious hydration of Raw Manuka Honey to the firming effects of Bee Venom and the calming touch of Royal Jelly, these ingredients offer unmatched versatility for formulators and skincare enthusiasts alike.

Often dubbed "nature’s Botox," Bee Venom is a powerful bioactive ingredient that stimulates the skin’s healing response. It contains melittin and apamin—peptides that temporarily increase blood circulation and encourage collagen and elastin production, helping to smooth fine lines and restore firmness.

Why it Works: Bee Venom contains potent peptides like melittin and apamin that activate the skin’s natural healing mechanisms. Melittin gently “tricks” the skin into thinking it has been lightly stimulated or “stung,” which encourages increased blood flow and promotes collagen and elastin production—key proteins responsible for skin firmness and elasticity. Unlike actual stings, this process occurs without harmful inflammation, triggering a rejuvenation response that helps smooth fine lines and restore a youthful, lifted appearance. Apamin also contributes by supporting nerve signaling, enhancing skin tone and texture. Together, these bioactive compounds make Bee Venom a natural and effective alternative to more invasive firming treatments.

Use: Ideal for serums and firming creams (0.1-0.5%).

• Allergies: Individuals with bee sting allergies must avoid bee venom entirely. Always include a clear allergen warning on labels.
• Patch Testing: Recommend a 24-hour patch test for all first-time users to minimize risk of irritation or reaction.
• Pregnancy & Nursing: Consult with a healthcare provider before using products containing bee venom during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Pro Tip: For enhanced firming and rejuvenation, combine Bee Venom Powder with Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid. Niacinamide boosts skin barrier function and evens tone, while Hyaluronic Acid provides deep hydration—together, they amplify Bee Venom’s effects, leaving skin with a youthful bounce and radiant glow.

Harvested from the Leptospermum scoparium flower, Manuka honey is uniquely rich in methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound that gives it superior antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Its Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA) rating reflects the strength of these bioactive benefits, helping you choose the right potency for your formulation. At Bulk Naturals Wholesale, we offer Raw Manuka Honey in three strengths—NPA 11.5, 15, and 20—allowing you to tailor your product to different skin needs. Whether you're supporting skin regeneration, treating acne-prone complexions, or delivering deep moisture retention, there's a Manuka grade designed to meet your goals.

Tradition Meets Science: For centuries, Manuka honey has been treasured by Māori communities in New Zealand for its remarkable healing properties. Traditionally, it was applied to wounds, burns, and skin ailments to promote faster healing and prevent infection. This deep-rooted knowledge of Manuka’s therapeutic potential has been passed down through generations, forming a vital part of indigenous medicine and cultural heritage.

Today, modern science has validated these traditional uses by uncovering the unique compounds—like methylglyoxal (MGO) and non-peroxide activity (NPA)—that give Manuka Honey its potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical research now supports its role in tissue repair, wound care, and managing skin conditions such as acne and eczema. This blend of ancestral wisdom and scientific discovery makes Manuka Honey a truly exceptional ingredient, bridging time-honored healing with advanced natural skincare and wellness formulations.

Use: Add 5–20% to masks, creams, or spot treatments.

Pro Tip: For compromised or very dry skin, opt for the higher NPA levels in overnight balms or restorative masks. The increased antibacterial and moisturizing potency helps support skin healing and deeply nourishes while you rest, promoting faster recovery and lasting hydration.

Bush Honey Rewarewa + Kamahi Blend is rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, offering natural protection against oxidative stress while promoting healthy aging. This unique New Zealand blend unites the velvety depth of Rewarewa with the bold, caramel complexity of Kamahi, creating a bioactive powerhouse ideal for advanced skincare formulations. With its antioxidant strength and rich botanical profile, it’s perfect for supporting skin vitality, tone, and resilience in both daily and targeted treatments.

Propolis Extract G is a potent, glycerin-based form of propolis—a sticky, resinous substance that bees collect from tree buds and plant sources to seal and protect their hives. Rich in bioactive flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and natural resins, this extract delivers powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, and soothing benefits. Its ability to calm inflammation and support skin repair makes it a standout ingredient for sensitive, acne-prone, or reactive skin types, especially in serums, spot treatments, and barrier-focused formulations.

Why It Works: Often called “bee glue,” Propolis calms inflammation, supports skin repair, and strengthens the skin’s natural barrier against environmental stressors. Its antibacterial and healing properties make it especially effective for soothing irritation, reducing redness, and promoting recovery from breakouts and post-acne scarring.

Use: Add 0.5–2% to calming serums, spot treatments, and barrier creams.

Pro Tip: Pairs well with Zinc and Calendula for breakouts and post-acne scarring.

A superfood for the queen bee, Royal Jelly is rich in amino acids, peptides, and 10-HDA—a unique fatty acid known to promote cell renewal, improve elasticity, and support overall skin vitality. At Bulk Naturals Wholesale, we offer three versatile forms to suit any formulation:

• Royal Jelly Extract (6% 10-HDA) for high-performance, active-driven skincare
• Royal Jelly Liquid Botanical (Water-Soluble) for seamless incorporation into water-based systems
• Royal Jelly Powder – Freeze-Dried for concentrated potency and long-term stability in dry blends or emulsions

Each format provides powerful support for aging, dull, or stressed skin—helping to restore firmness, enhance glow, and reinforce skin resilience from within.

Why it Works: Royal Jelly is a nutrient-rich superfood packed with amino acids, peptides, and 10-HDA—a unique fatty acid known to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. This combination promotes cell renewal, helps protect against oxidative stress, and supports skin’s natural repair processes. Its water-soluble form ensures easy blending into skincare products, making it ideal for revitalizing aging or stressed skin.

Use: 0.5–10%, depending on format—lower for freeze-dried powder, moderate for extract (0.5–2%), and higher for liquid botanical (1–5%) in serums, creams, and mists.

Pro Tip: Use the water-soluble version for toners or light serums, and the extract in richer emulsions.

While Raw Manuka honey is powerful, its derivatives offer formulating flexibility:

Tradition Meets Innovation: Today, Manuka Honey has been reimagined into versatile, lab-friendly derivatives—bringing the therapeutic essence of Manuka Honey into cutting-edge skincare, body care, and wellness formulations. From aromatic essential oils to oil- and water-soluble extracts and gentle hydrosols, these modern forms allow formulators to capture Manuka’s potency with enhanced ease, shelf stability, and compatibility across a wide range of applications.

Use: 0.5–3% depending on the product.                                                                        

Pro Tip: Layer multiple forms of Manuka—like combining the hydrosol with the oil-soluble extract—to create a synergistic effect in emulsions, boosting both performance and sensory appeal without overwhelming the formulation. Always add extracts during the cool-down phase to preserve their bioactivity.

Honeyquat PF and HoneyTone are innovative honey-derived ingredients that bring modern functionality to natural formulations.. Think of them as the tech-forward cousins of raw honey—ideal for improving texture, and spreadability.

Why it works: Honeyquat PF, a cationic compound, binds to hair and skin to deliver lasting hydration, enhanced softness, and improved manageability—without the stickiness of raw honey. HoneyTone, an alkyl-modified honey polymer paired with coconut fatty acids, offers a lipid-friendly profile that helps balance excess oil, refine skin texture, and boost product spreadability. Together, they condition, hydrate, and smooth while enhancing the sensory feel of both rinse-off and leave-on formulas.

Use: 1–3% in lotions, cleansers, shampoos, toners, and leave-in products.

Pro Tip: For hair care, blend Honeyquat PF into mists or masks for a silky finish. For skincare, use HoneyTone in lightweight gels or oil-balancing formulas for smooth, refined texture.

Why it works: Yellow and White Beeswax are natural structuring agents that provide both form and function in skincare and cosmetic formulations. Rich in esters and fatty acids, beeswax creates a breathable barrier on the skin that helps lock in moisture, shield against environmental stressors, and support skin’s natural protective layer.

While Yellow Beeswax retains more of its natural color and aroma—ideal for rich, rustic formulations—White Beeswax is refined for a neutral appearance, making it perfect for products where color and scent clarity matter. Both enhance texture, stability, and consistency, giving balms, salves, and emulsions their smooth, spreadable finish.

Use: 5–15% in salves, lip balms, emulsions, and waterless formulas.

Build your next bestseller with high-performance bee ingredients. 
Shop the Collection.