This Gross Drugstore Ingredient Will Transform Your Skin

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Natural ingredients are our jam! We love finding quirky things that promise transformative beauty results, and our latest discovery is quite possibly one of the most amazing. It can boost your skin’s collagen levels, keeps dandruff at bay, while soothing acne. Plus, it’s incredible for you inside and out. The ingredient in question? Royal jelly; it sounds weird af, but the jelly-based formula is the sole diet of a Queen Bee… no, we’re not talking about Beyoncé – although a product this good is probably on her shelf. The jelly, which is secreted by honeybees, is packed with nutritional goodness that helps the queen bee grow 40 times the size of the average worker bee, and live 50 times as long – it’s a pretty powerful tonic!

What Royal Jelly can do for your skin: 

The benefits of the jelly seem to be never-ending, as it contains almost all the enzymes, nutrients, vitamins and minerals the human body needs. Not only does it have a firming effect on skin (it regenerates skin cells) but royal jelly is also mega-hydrating and has anti-inflammatory properties. The amino acids in royal jelly are a basic ingredient to collagen, which is vital for keeping your skin plump AF. Finally, royal jelly targets pigmentation and helps your skin attain an even tone. If you’re prone to acne, royal jelly not only helps to balance your hormones, but it’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins that keep breakouts at bay while encouraging skin cell growth to soften acne-scarring.

How to take advantage of royal jelly:

Royal Jelly can be applied directly onto the skin, or you can take it as a supplement to benefit your body and organs as well as your skin– it contains antibiotic components, can lower cholesterol, and strengthen your kidneys. And btw, healthy kidneys can lead to healthier hair, so what’s not to love?

Where to get royal jelly:

You can find capsules and the jelly at your local health store (or online here, $10). There are also a ton of skincare products with royal jelly in, from Lancôme and Guerlain face creams, to Burt’s Bees’ Radiance Day Cream, and hair products like Garnier’s Ultra Blends collection.

Royal jelly may be natural, but, as with anything else (especially with bee-derived products), it’s always best to do a patch test and be cautious before consuming it orally or topically, as it can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you’re allergic to bees or honey, it’s best to consult with your doctor first. And don’t worry, no bees are harmed in the process!

Have you tried royal jelly? Let us know in the comments.