Bee-Friendly Practices at Polli Bee Naturals

Hi, I'm Cate, Founder of Polli skincare. At Polli Bee Naturals, we are not just passionate about honeybee skincare, but we are advocates for a unified relationship between our personal holistic health and the health of our environment. My journey with beekeeping started with my grandmother Eunice, and her serious commitment to protect the health of the land she lived on. Polli Bee Naturals was formed out of a healing experience I had with inflammation in my body through the regular consumption of bee propolis and royal jelly. At Polli, our commitment to bee-friendly skincare embodies a movement towards sustainable beauty practices that nurture both your skin and our precious land. We celebrate the incredible gifts that bees provide, harnessing the power of nature to create skincare that is beneficial for you and the planet through non-toxic skincare and smart beekeeping.

Why Choose Bee-Friendly Skincare?

Bees are the unsung heroes of our ecosystem. They pollinate our crops, support biodiversity, and contribute to a thriving planet. Sadly, they face numerous challenges, including habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change.

• Habitat Loss: Urbanization and intensive agriculture have significantly diminished natural habitats for bees. They flourish in diverse foraging areas filled with a variety of flowering plants.
• Pesticide Exposure: Pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, can have devastating effects on bee populations, impairing their navigation, immune systems, and overall health. Read about how to avoid bee killing pesticides.
• Climate Change: Shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns disrupt the delicate balance of bee ecosystems, affecting their foraging behavior and nesting sites.

By choosing bee-friendly skincare, you are not only nourishing your skin with natural ingredients but also supporting sustainable practices that protect these vital pollinators.

Honeybee Skincare Ingredients

We believe that nature knows best. That's why we incorporate bee-derived ingredients like honey, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly into our products. These ingredients are rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and natural healing properties, offering gentle yet effective skincare solutions.

• Honey for Skin Hydration & Antioxidant Protection: Honey, a natural humectant, draws moisture to the skin for deep hydration. It is also rich in antioxidants, combating free radicals that contribute to premature aging. Learn more about the benefits of honey for the skin in this study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
• Beeswax for Skin Barrier Protection: Beeswax creates a breathable barrier on the skin, locking in moisture without clogging pores. The National Center for Biotechnology talks about how this protective layer shields the skin from harsh environmental elements while allowing it to breathe and function naturally.
• Propolis: Propolis is nature's antibacterial & anti-inflammatory best kept secret. Propolis, a resinous substance collected by bees, boasts antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It's a potent ingredient for skincare, effectively addressing acne, inflammation, and promoting wound healing. A research article published in the journal "Molecules" explores the diverse biological activities of propolis.

Non-Toxic Skincare: Avoiding Harmful Chemicals

We believe in keeping things clean and green. That means saying no to toxic chemicals like pesticides, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and sulfates. These ingredients can harm your skin, disrupt your hormones, and even pollute our waterways. Plus, they're definitely not bee-friendly!

Instead, we opt for natural, plant-based ingredients that are gentle on your skin and safe for the environment. You can learn more about the impact of toxic chemicals on bees and humans from these resources:

• Pesticides and Herbicides: We believe in keeping things clean and green. That means saying no to toxic chemicals like pesticides, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and sulfates. These ingredients can harm your skin, disrupt your hormones, and even pollute our waterways. Plus, they're definitely not bee-friendly! For example, a recent study by the USDA's National Science Lab found pesticide residues in beeswax, highlighting how these chemicals can contaminate bee products and potentially harm bee colonies. These findings underscore the importance of avoiding pesticides in skincare and supporting organic, sustainable beekeeping practices.
• Synthetic Fragrances: Many synthetic fragrances contain phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences provides information on the potential health effects of phthalates.
• Parabens: These preservatives are also endocrine disruptors and have been linked to various health concerns. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has compiled research on parabens and their potential health risks.
• Sulfates: Sulfates, like SLES, are harsh detergents that can strip the skin of its natural oils. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides a database of cosmetic ingredients and their safety ratings, including sulfates.

Sustainable Beekeeping Practices at Polli Bee Naturals

At Polli Bee Naturals, sustainability isn't just a buzzword, it's woven into the fabric of our company. We're committed to ethical sourcing, eco-friendly packaging, and supporting local beekeepers.

• Supporting Local Beekeepers: We partner with local beekeepers who share our passion for sustainable, smart-beekeeping practices. We visit their apiaries regularly to ensure the bees are thriving and that ethical harvesting methods are used. Want to find beekeepers near you? 
• Creating Bee-Friendly Habitats: We're doing our part to create bee-friendly habitats by planting wildflowers around our office and production facilities, avoiding pesticides, and providing water sources. We also encourage our employees and customers to create havens for bees in their own backyards. The Xerces Society has some great tips to help you build your own pollinator habitats.
• Ethical Harvesting: We believe in harvesting honey and beeswax in a way that respects the bees and their hives. We leave ample honey and resources for the bees to thrive throughout the year, ensuring the colony remains healthy and strong.

The Future of Sustainable Skincare

We're always brainstorming new ideas to make our products even more sustainable and bee-friendly. Here are a few things we're excited about:

• Eco-Friendly Packaging: We're reducing our footprint with biodegradable and recyclable packaging. We're currently exploring innovative materials like re-fillable packaging options. Learn more about sustainable packaging here.
• Cruelty-Free: We believe in kindness to all creatures, so we proudly offer cruelty-free skincare. We love our bees, and we're constantly researching and developing new formulations that are both effective and ethically sourced.
• Transparency and Traceability: We're open and honest about our ingredients and sourcing. We believe that you have the right to know what's in your products and where it came from. We're working towards greater transparency in our supply chain, providing detailed information about the origin of each ingredient. The Environmental Working Group is a great resource for learning more about ingredient transparency. We are currently getting our honeybee skincare product line verified and certified by this group.

Hear What Our Customers Are Saying!

"Face has never been softer. Just was in Denver with the driest air and my face stayed nice and soft thanks to the Polli Bee Burr Comb Serum. Highly recommend!!!" -Audrey L.

Join the Movement for Sustainable Skincare

Ready to make a difference with your skincare routine? You have the power to create positive change with every purchase you make. By choosing bee-friendly skincare, you're not only treating your skin to the goodness of nature but also supporting sustainable practices that protect our precious pollinators. Become a conscious consumer and a bee-uty advocate! Educate yourself about the vital role bees play in our ecosystem and the challenges they face. Let's work together to create a world where bees thrive and your skin glows.

Warmly, Cate (Polli's Head Beekeeper)