The Science of Royal Jelly in Skin Care
Royal jelly (RJ) is often considered the royal product of skin care products and is praised for its nourishing and regenerative properties.
This unique substance produced by bees has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and its potential benefits in modern skin care have been under the spotlight for decades.
Like all skin care ingredients, royal jelly may not be suitable for all skin types or skin concerns.
Here, we explain what this popular ingredient is, what active ingredients it contains, which skin types are best suited for it, and how to incorporate it into your skin care routine.
Royal jelly is a substance produced by bees that has powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
It can be used as a rinse-off mask or a leave-on serum or cream.
People who are allergic to bees or pollen should not use royal jelly.
What is Royal Jelly?
Royal jelly is a milky, nutrient-rich secretion produced by worker bees that feeds the queen bee and the developing larvae in the hive.
This substance is the sole determinant of the queen bee’s growth, fertility, and lifespan. Queen bees feed exclusively on royal jelly and can live up to five years, while worker bees live only a few weeks. Royal jelly is used in a variety of health and beauty products because of its longevity and vitality.
In skin care, royal jelly is widely used because it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds that have been shown to nourish and moisturize the skin, thereby providing powerful anti-aging effects (3).
Active Ingredients in Royal Jelly
Royal jelly is a complex substance with a unique composition that contributes to its effectiveness as a skin care product. Its main active ingredients include:
Proteins and peptides. Royal jelly contains approximately 12% to 15% protein, including key royal jelly proteins (MRJP), which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (4). These proteins help repair and rejuvenate the skin, making royal jelly a popular ingredient in anti-aging products.
Lipids. The lipid component of royal jelly contains fatty acids such as 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), which play an important role in its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
These fatty acids also help maintain the skin’s natural barrier, moisturizing it and protecting it from environmental influences.
Vitamins and Minerals. Royal jelly is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12, as well as folic acid and pantothenic acid.
These vitamins can improve skin structure, promote cell regeneration and protect against oxidative stress.
Amino Acids. The essential amino acids in royal jelly aid in the synthesis of collagen, which is essential for skin elasticity and firmness.
Therefore, royal jelly is an excellent ingredient for preventing and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Antioxidants: Royal jelly contains a variety of powerful antioxidants, including flavonoids and polyphenols, which can fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the skin.
Benefits of Royal Jelly in Skin Care
Royal jelly is often used in skin care for its anti-aging properties, but it can also provide the following benefits to the skin:
Anti-Aging: Since royal jelly is rich in proteins, vitamins and antioxidants, it helps promote collagen production and cell renewal, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Moisturizing: Royal jelly’s high lipid content makes it an effective moisturizer that hydrates the skin and improves its elasticity. It is particularly beneficial for dry and mature skin.
Healing and Calming. Royal jelly’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can soothe irritated skin and promote healing.
As a result, it can be helpful for conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and minor wounds.
Estrogenic Effects. Some studies suggest that royal jelly may have estrogenic effects that may benefit skin health, especially in postmenopausal women (5).
However, these effects are mild and not fully understood, so further research is needed to confirm these benefits.
Side Effects of Royal Jelly in Skin Care
Royal jelly is generally suitable for most skin types. However, two important side effects to consider before using products containing this ingredient are:
Allergic reactions. One of the biggest risks associated with royal jelly is the risk of allergic reactions.
People who are allergic to bee products or pollen should not use royal jelly or other bee-derived ingredients because royal jelly can cause reactions ranging from mild irritation to severe allergic reactions.
Estrogenic Effects. Although royal jelly has low estrogenic effects, women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer should consult their doctor before using products containing royal jelly.
What skin types are best for royal jelly?
Royal jelly is suitable for almost all skin types, but is particularly suitable for women with dry, mature, or sensitive skin due to its moisturizing and soothing properties.
However, people with oily skin or acne-prone skin should check the product’s ingredient list to make sure it does not contain other ingredients such as coconut oil or shea butter that may clog pores.
Royal Jelly Masks
You can apply royal jelly to your face like a mask, leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse it off.
Alternatively, you can use a serum or cream containing royal jelly as part of your daily skincare routine.
If you have very dry skin and also use a moisturizer, apply the moisturizer after using the royal jelly serum. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen when you apply it in the morning.
Summary: Should I Use Royal Jelly?
There is scientific evidence that royal jelly can improve skin smoothness and texture and reduce signs of aging.
However, products containing royal jelly tend to be more expensive because each beehive only produces a small amount of the raw material.
If you still want to try royal jelly, it generally has few side effects (unless you are allergic to bees or pollen) and is suitable for most skin types.
While it is not one of the best anti-aging ingredients, it is an interesting natural option for treating aging skin.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
