Study Finds Bee Pollen Buzzin’ in Cosmetics

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Bees may hold the secret for better skin, according to a recent study in the Asian Journal of Beauty & Cosmetology. In that study, researchers found nano-sized bee pollen to have antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, hydrating and lightening benefits for skin care.

The Exine Layer

While bee pollen is loaded with free amino acids, flavonoids and protein, it is also covered by an outer wall called exine, which is resistant to digestive enzymes, acids and bases. Due to this challenge, bee pollen is not highly utilized in medicine or nutrition.

However, removing the exine layer, the researchers prepared nano-sized bee pollen using a wet-grinding technology for the study. After preparing the pollen, they examined the antioxidant activity, protective effects on skin fibroblasts, and potential clinical application as a cosmetic.

Sweet Results

The clinical study showed nano-sized bee pollen is filled with antioxidants, and 1% bee pollen reduced lactate dehydrogenase release by 18.73% in skin fibroblasts. Results also showed the bee pollen had benefits for skin roughness, hydration, transparency, wrinkles around the eyes and the skin's melanin index; it also did not have any undesirable effects on the skin.

With the outcome of this test, bee pollen was proven to be an ideal ingredient as a cosmetic resource with various skin benefits.

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