Do you need help getting your skin back to health after constantly being exposed to winter’s cold, dry air? Celebrity Dermatologist and Suburbs 101 contributor, Dr. Whitney Bowe shows us how to revive winter skin with Royal Jelly and Propolis.
I love it when the days start to last longer and our sunsets are a beautiful orange-pink right after dinner time. This is the perfect time to start getting your skin ready for the warmer spring weather that’s just around the corner.
Two of my favorite ingredients for spring skincare are royal jelly and propolis to really hydrate and nurture your skin back to health after winter’s cold, dry air.
Royal Jelly
Let’s first focus on royal jelly which is made by worker bees and is used to nourish honeybee larvae. Royal jelly is eaten by the Queen Bee for her entire life, which is roughly seven years, as compared to the worker bees’ life cycle of roughly seven weeks!! At one time, this white-yellowish, milky substance was reserved only for royalty because it was considered incredibly precious. Now, it’s a choice ingredient in many clean skincare lines because it’s considered to be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Moreover, its antioxidants help to soothe the skin and to fight free radical damage (which contributes to premature aging). I find that it can be very hydrating and healing when used topically.
* Of course, if you have an allergy to bees, honey, or pollen, speak to your doctor before incorporating any products including royal jelly into your skincare regimen.
Propolis
Like royal jelly, propolis fights free radical damage because it is packed with antioxidants. I find that this is a very gentle ingredient and is, therefore, a wonderful option for my patients with sensitive skin. It’s also a pretty fascinating natural ingredient — bees harvest sap and resin from trees and add their own enzymes and beeswax to produce this powerful resin-like substance. Bees then paint the propolis inside their homes – filling in crevices in honeycombs – in order to serve as protection for the hive. It is known for its ability to fight against bacteria and is packed with antioxidants.
My patients are always asking for specific product recommendations, so I’ve shared some of my favorite clean skincare products including these ingredients on my Dr. Whitney’s Picks page, including Fountain of Truth’s Honey Glow Mask and Farmacy’s Honey Butter Body Ultra Hydrating Cream.
If you’d like to win some of my favorite products, be sure to check out Suburb 101’s Instagram channel for a very sweet giveaway! And, follow me on Instagram at @drwhitneybowe.
About Dr. Whitney Bowe
Dr. Whitney Bowe is one of the most in-demand dermatologists in the country. At her NYC and Briarcliff Manor offices, Dr. Bowe specializes in skin rejuvenation, laser dermatology, and the link between nutrition and skincare. Her work has earned the attention of top media outlets, netting her invitations to lend her expertise on programs like Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, The Doctors, and Dr. Oz, and publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, ALLURE and INSTYLE. Dr. Bowe was named an Exceptional Woman in Science 2019 by Castle Connolly and has received a TOP DOCTOR recognition from Castle Connolly year after year. She is also a best selling author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin, which was recently released in paperback form as Dirty Looks. Dr. Bowe lives in Chappaqua with her husband and their daughter, Maclane.
Website: Dr. Whitney Bowe
You May Also Be Interested in:
Winter Skincare Secrets: Get Glowing Skin This Winter
What to Wear: Spring 2020 Fashion Trends
Dr. Whitney Bowe’s Life in Chappaqua, NY
How to Organize Your Junk Drawers
About Suburbs 101
Suburbs 101 is an online lifestyle guide for the New York Suburbs of Westchester County, Long Island, Fairfield County and Northern New Jersey. Get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to live in the New York suburbs through our interviews with local suburbanites and features on Food, Fashion, Home, Travel, and Local Events. Be sure to Follow Us on Instagram, Like Us on Facebook and subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter.