GUERLAIN Abeille Royale Black Bee Honey Balm
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing18 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This Royal Jelly is rich in exceptional nutrients and is a natural source of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and vitamins.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: butyrospermum parkii butter extract, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl hexapeptide-12
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“the purest Ouessant Black Bee Honey, highly concentrated in this balm, is combined with Guerlain Exclusive Royal Jelly, produced in France, to combat visible and future signs of ageing.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains palmitoyl hexapeptide-12.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.6–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinLimnanthes alba seed oil~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
More about Limnanthes alba seed oilHydrogenated coco-glycerides~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together while creating a nice finish on the skin
More about Hydrogenated coco-glyceridesMel~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and attract water to it
More about MelPentaerythrityl tetraisostearate~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearateButyrospermum parkii butter extract~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butter extractCetyl alcohol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateDimethicone~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePentylene glycol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolRoyal jelly~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Royal jellyPhenoxyethanol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerOctyldodecanol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolPalmitic acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidStearic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerIrvingia gabonensis kernel butter~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Jojoba esters~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersPolyglyceryl-3 beeswax~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together. Could be an allergen (beeswax)
More about Polyglyceryl-3 beeswaxTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTromethamine~0.25–0.45%
Caramel~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateParfum~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium citrate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateGlyceryl polymethacrylate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Glyceryl polymethacrylatePolysorbate 60~0.25–0.5%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearatePeg-8~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidLimonene~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCi 19140~0.2–0.35%
Geraniol~0.15–0.25%
Benzyl salicylate~0.15–0.25%
Sodium lactate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateBht~0.1–0.15%
Ci 14700~0.1–0.15%
Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Limnanthes alba seed oil, Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Mel, Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, Butyrospermum parkii butter extract, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Dimethicone, Pentylene glycol, Royal jelly, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Irvingia gabonensis kernel butter, Jojoba esters, Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax, Tocopheryl acetate, Tromethamine, Caramel, Sodium hyaluronate, Parfum, Sodium citrate, Glyceryl polymethacrylate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Peg-8, Citric acid, Limonene, Ci 19140, Geraniol, Benzyl salicylate, Sodium lactate, Bht, Ci 14700, Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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