FAQ's

Balms work differently than water-based products. Warm a small amount (roughly pea-sized for face, fingertip for targeted areas) between your palms or fingertips until it softens. Press gently onto skin rather than rubbing vigorously. The warmth of your skin activates the balm, allowing it to absorb slowly while creating a protective layer. Start with less than you think you need - our concentrated formulations mean a little goes a long way.

For facial application: one fingertip amount covers the entire face and neck. For body use: roughly a teaspoon per limb. For targeted areas (dry patches, cuticles, lips): a rice-grain amount. Because these balms contain no water fillers, they're 3-4 times more concentrated than typical creams. Most customers initially use too much - if your skin feels greasy after 10 minutes, reduce the amount next time.

Balms work best as the final step in your routine. If you use serums or treatments, apply those first on damp skin, then seal everything in with balm. For morning use, apply after cleansing and allow 2-3 minutes before makeup. For evening, apply as your final step after any active treatments. The balm creates a protective seal that helps other products work more effectively.

Yes, but with technique. Apply sparingly (half your usual amount) and allow 3-5 minutes for absorption before makeup application. Press balm in rather than rubbing, focusing on dry areas. The protective layer actually helps makeup sit better and prevents foundation from settling into fine lines. If you find your makeup sliding, you've used too much - reduce quantity next time.

With daily facial use, a 50g tin typically lasts 2.5-3 months. For full-body application, 1-2 months. For targeted use only (lips, dry patches, cuticles), 4-6 months. A 100g tin lasts approximately twice as long. Our 15g travel tins provide 3-4 weeks of facial use. The longevity reflects the concentrated formulation - you're not paying for water weight.

Natural balms respond to temperature. In summer heat, they soften to a creamier consistency. In winter cold, they firm up. This doesn't affect quality or efficacy - it's simply the nature of beeswax and botanical oils. If your balm becomes very soft, store it in a cool spot (not refrigerator). If very firm in winter, warm between hands before applying. Some customers actually prefer seasonal storage - bathroom in winter, bedroom drawer in summer.

Yes – but not all of them! Most of our balms are multi-use formulations. The main difference between products is the essential oil blend and specific bioactive concentration. BEE Radiant works beautifully on face, hands, and décolletage. Honey Skin Balm excels for full-body use but many customers use it on face too. Start with what appeals to you - many of our long-term customers own 2-3 varieties and use them interchangeably depending on season and need.

For very dry skin, apply balm to damp (not wet) skin immediately after showering or cleansing. The slight moisture helps the balm spread more easily and supports absorption. For flaky patches, gently exfoliate first with a warm washcloth, then apply balm while skin is still slightly damp. For hands and feet, apply generously before bed and wear cotton gloves or socks overnight - you'll wake up noticeably softer.

Royal jelly is the exclusive food source of queen bees throughout their lives - while worker bees live 6-8 weeks, queen bees live 5-7 years on this substance alone. It contains naturally occurring proteins (including all essential amino acids), B-complex vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and bioactive compounds. In skincare traditions spanning generations, royal jelly has been prized for its naturally active properties. We include it in every QueenBee formula because it's one of nature's most concentrated bioactive ingredients. Our royal jelly is sourced from ethical Australian beekeepers and handled with care to preserve its natural integrity.

MGO (methylglyoxal) is the naturally occurring compound that makes Manuka honey bioactive. Standard honey contains 1-10 MGO. Manuka honey ranges from 30-1200+ MGO. The number indicates laboratory-tested, certified potency - essentially, how naturally active the honey is. 1200+ MGO represents medical-grade Manuka honey, not commodity honey. We source ours exclusively from Australian Manuka (Leptospermum) beehives in the Northern Rivers region and verify every batch through independent laboratory testing. This certification ensures consistent potency and authentic Australian provenance.

Our Manuka honey comes from Australian beehives in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales and Southeast Queensland, where native Leptospermum (tea tree) forests thrive. Australian Manuka honey is distinct from New Zealand Manuka - it's wildcrafted from our native tea tree species. We work with multi-generational Australian beekeepers who prioritise hive health and sustainable harvesting. Every batch is independently tested and certified for MGO potency before we accept it. When you see "1200+ MGO" on our products, that's a verified measurement, not a marketing claim.

We use unrefined Australian beeswax from the same beekeepers who provide our Manuka honey. Unrefined beeswax retains naturally occurring propolis, pollen, and trace minerals that bees incorporate during hive construction. This gives it a subtle honey aroma and golden colour - heavily refined commercial beeswax is bleached white and stripped of these beneficial traces. Beeswax creates breathable protection on skin, supporting the skin barrier while allowing natural moisture regulation. It's been used in skincare for thousands of years because it works.

We use certified organic essential oils sourced from Australian suppliers wherever possible (Australian Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemon Scented Tea Tree). For oils unavailable in Australia (Frankincense, Neroli, Rose), we source from ethical suppliers with full traceability. All essential oils are tested for purity and diluted to cosmetic-safe concentrations (typically 1-2% in final formulation). "Therapeutic grade" isn't a regulated term in Australia, so we simply ensure our oils meet cosmetic safety standards and provide the natural scent and sensory experience our formulations are known for.

We use wildcrafted and seasonal botanical ingredients, which means natural variation in colour, scent, and texture. Royal jelly colour ranges from cream to pale gold depending on seasonal pollen sources. Beeswax varies from light to deep amber. Essential oil profiles shift slightly with harvest conditions. This is authentic natural skincare - we don't use synthetic dyes, artificial fragrances, or chemical standardisers to force visual consistency. If your new tin smells a touch different from your last one, that's the signature of real ingredients, not a quality issue. Efficacy remains consistent even when appearance varies.

None. Our balm format doesn't require synthetic preservatives because there's no water content - bacteria and mould need water to grow. The combination of beeswax, oils, and Manuka honey creates a naturally shelf-stable environment. Vitamin E (tocopherol) acts as a natural antioxidant to prevent oil rancidity, not as a preservative. This is why proper storage matters - keep your tin sealed when not in use, avoid introducing water, and store at room temperature. Shelf life is typically 12-18 months from manufacture, with a best-before date printed on each tin.

Our balms contain bee products (royal jelly, beeswax, Manuka honey), which some people with bee venom allergies may react to - though bee venom and bee products are different substances. We use tree nut oils in some formulations (sweet almond oil) and botanical extracts that may trigger sensitivities in rare cases. Essential oils, while natural, can cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Full INCI ingredient lists are provided on every product page and physical label. If you have known allergies to any bee products, tree nuts, or specific botanicals, please review ingredients carefully. When in doubt, patch test on inner wrist for 24 hours before facial use.

Our balms are formulated for sensitive skin - no synthetic fragrances, no parabens, no sulfates, no harsh chemical preservatives. However, "sensitive skin" is individual. What soothes one person may irritate another. We recommend patch testing any new product on your inner wrist or jaw line for 24 hours before full facial application. Start with our gentlest formulations (BEE Kissable Lip Balm or Mister BEE Men's Face Balm, which has minimal essential oils). If you have reactive skin or known allergies, review the full ingredient list before purchase.

Counterintuitively, balms can work well for oily skin when used correctly. Oily skin often produces excess sebum because the skin barrier is compromised and overcompensating. A light layer of balm (applied sparingly to damp skin) can support barrier function and signal your skin to produce less oil. The key is amount - use 1/3 what you think you need. Press into skin rather than rubbing. For oily skin types, evening-only application often works best, allowing overnight absorption. Many customers with combination or oily skin report improved balance after 2-3 weeks of consistent (light) use.

Our balms are non-comedogenic when used appropriately. Beeswax, jojoba oil, and rosehip oil score low on the comedogenic scale. However, overapplication or not allowing proper absorption time can lead to congestion on acne-prone skin. If you're prone to breakouts, apply balm sparingly (truly, half what you think), focus on dry areas, and avoid heavy application over already-oily zones. Some customers with acne-prone skin use our balms as targeted treatment on dry patches only, rather than all-over facial application. Listen to your skin and adjust accordingly.

Our balms contain only cosmetic-grade natural ingredients - no retinoids, no chemical actives, no ingredients contraindicated during pregnancy. However, some essential oils (like lavender, rosemary) are debated in pregnancy literature, even in cosmetic dilution. We recommend consulting your healthcare provider, especially in first trimester. Many pregnant customers use our balms without issue, particularly the gentler formulations. For absolute peace of mind during pregnancy, choose Mister BEE (minimal essential oils) or ask your midwife/doctor to review specific ingredient lists for your chosen product.

Many customers find our balms during topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) or while reducing steroid use. While we cannot make treatment claims, we can share that concentrated bee bioactives and barrier-supporting ingredients have been used in skincare traditions for generations. Our Honey Skin Balm (formerly Recovery) is frequently chosen by customers managing compromised skin barriers. We recommend discussing any skin protocol changes with your healthcare provider. Customer testimonials suggest consistent gentle application, patience (2-4 weeks for visible comfort), and realistic expectations yield the best experience.

Our balms are gentle enough for children's skin, with some considerations. For babies under 12 months, consult your pediatrician before using any product containing honey or royal jelly (rare infant botulism considerations, though topical risk is minimal). For toddlers and older children, our balms work beautifully - many multi-generational families use them. Baby BUZZ (formerly Baby Balm) is specifically formulated with this in mind. Avoid products with strong essential oils (BEE Nimble Sports Balm) for very young children. When in doubt, choose simpler formulations and patch test first.