Acne is a prevalent skin condition that affects approximately 80% of individuals between the ages of 11 and 30, with hormonal changes during puberty being one of the major contributing factors. The sebaceous glands and hair follicles beneath the skin surface produce oily and waxy sebum. However, factors such as stress, hormonal changes, and genetics can increase the risk of acne formation. When dead skin cells and sebum block the hair follicle pores, acne lesions can occur. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, which usually resides harmlessly on the skin, also plays a role in acne formation. Research has shown that bee products like propolis and bee venom may have therapeutic potential for acne treatment.

The Effect of Propolis on Acne

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at Sassari University in Italy in 2018 evaluated the efficacy of a cream containing propolis, aloe vera, and tea tree oil on oily skin with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Sixty participants of both sexes were randomly divided into three equal groups and treated with a cream containing 20% propolis extract, 3% erythromycin cream, or a placebo. Researchers assessed the treatment responses by non-invasive measurements and macro-photography at baseline, 15 days, and 30 days. The results revealed that the propolis cream was significantly more effective than erythromycin in reducing the redness marks, acne severity index, and total lesions, leading to a faster recovery within 15 days of treatment.

The Effect of Bee Venom on Acne

A study conducted in Korea in 2020 investigated the effects of bee venom and melittin, the primary component of bee venom, on acne formation induced by Cutibacterium acnes. The study showed that bee venom and melittin inhibited the synthesis of precursor factors that cause sebum overproduction and inflammation in the skin by blocking a signaling pathway. This study demonstrated, for the first time, the anti-lipogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-C. acnes activities of bee venom and melittin, indicating their potential as natural anti-acne agents. In conclusion, the regular use of skincare products containing propolis and bee venom may provide potential therapeutic benefits in addition to medical treatments for acne. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy and safety of these natural compounds for acne treatment.

References: Mazzarello V, Donadu MG, Ferrari M, et al. Treatment of acne with a combination of propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera compared to erythromycin cream: two double-blind investigations. Clinical Pharmacology. 2018;10:175-181. doi:10.2147/CPAA.S180474 Gu H, An HJ, Gwon MG, et al. Bee Venom and Its Major Component Melittin Attenuated Cutibacterium acnes- and IGF-1-Induced Acne Vulgaris via Inactivation of Akt/mTOR/SREBP Signaling Pathway. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022;23(6):3152. doi:10.3390/ijms23063152