Ingredients
Mountain Bee skincare is built on three ingredients from our own hives in the Breede Valley: raw fynbos honey, fynbos beeswax and propolis. Everything else in our products is there to carry them.
Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture and holds it against the skin. Beeswax forms a breathable barrier that seals moisture in without blocking pores. Propolis — the resin bees gather from tree buds to seal their hive — is naturally rich in flavonoids, antioxidants and plant compounds.
Below is every ingredient we use and what it does. We have kept the list short on purpose.
Raw Honey
We go to considerable lengths to produce the cleanest, best-tasting raw honey we can. It is collected from wild fynbos and eucalyptus in a remote part of the Breede Valley mountains, away from commercial farming, which keeps exposure to agricultural sprays to a minimum.
Our honey is never heated above 40°C, so it keeps the pollen, enzymes and natural aromatics that raw honey should have.
Why we use honey in skincare
• A natural humectant — it draws moisture toward the skin and helps hold it there
• A very gentle natural exfoliant
• Naturally rich in antioxidants, which help protect the skin from environmental stress
• Long valued in traditional skincare for comforting dry and irritated skin
• Works well on skin that reacts to synthetic ingredients
Fynbos Beeswax
Beeswax is particularly exceptional being non-comedogenic (non-pore blocking), allowing the skin to breathe freely. That makes it particularly suited to blemish-prone and sensitive skin.
Beeswax has fantastic skin-softening properties and enhances skin elasticity, helping reduce the signs of ageing.
Beeswax forms a protective barrier on the surface of the skin, shielding it from wind, weather and environmental irritants. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not block pores, so the skin can still breathe. That makes it well suited to blemish-prone, easily irritated and sensitive skin.
Beeswax also has excellent skin-softening properties and supports skin elasticity.
Because beeswax is naturally stable, it extends the shelf life of a product without synthetic preservatives. It is also very unlikely to cause irritation, which is why it suits reactive skin so well.
Used in: Make-up Melt 50ml, Insect Repellent Balm 50ml, Pet Propolis Antiseptic 50ml.
Propolis
Propolis is the resin bees collect from tree buds and mix with their own enzymes and beeswax. They use it to seal the hive, to keep it clean, and to line the walls.
It contains over 300 naturally occurring compounds, including flavonoids, plant resins and antioxidants — which is why beekeepers have valued it for generations.
Unlike honey, propolis comes from the sap of trees rather than from flowers. The bees convert that sap into a sticky, workable resin.
Why we use propolis in skincare
• Naturally rich in antioxidants and plant compounds
• Long valued for soothing and comforting irritated skin
• Helps the skin hold moisture
• Supports the skin’s natural barrier function
• Adds protection against environmental stress
All the propolis in our products is harvested from our own hives in the Breede Valley.
Used in: Propolis Oil 50ml, Honey & Propolis Face Wash 250ml, Make-up Melt 50ml.
Raw Unrefined Shea Butter
We use shea butter in most of our body butters and creams. There is a reason for that! Shea butter is a natural product that comes from the nut of the Shea Tree. It has been used for centuries as a rich, moisturising butter
We source our raw unrefined shea butter from a rural cooperative in Ghana. The cooperative is for women who want to work and improve quality of life for themselves and their family.
Our raw unrefined shea butter is fair trade and organic certified.
What’s the difference between refined and unrefined shea butter?
Unrefined or raw shea butter has all of the nutrients and vitamins that makes shea butter so great, but it also has a very thick, grainy and hard to spread texture that actually makes it pretty difficult to use.
Refined shea butter, on the other hand, has a smooth and creamy texture that’s easy to spread all over the skin but during the refining process, it loses many of its vitamins and nutrients.
Why we prefer raw unrefined shea butter:
• Deeply moisturises dry skin
• Traditionally used in skincare for blemish-prone skin
• Soothes and comforts skin that feels irritated
• Naturally rich in antioxidants
• Comforts itchy, flaking skin
• Supports skin elasticity
• Helps calm the look of razor irritation and bumps
• Reduces the appearance of stretch marks
• Excellent for dry lips
Used in: Make-up Melt 50ml, Beeswax Heel Bar 35g, Beard Wax 90ml.
Pure Castor Oil (Hexane-Free) - Cold-Pressed
The castor oil we use is cold-pressed, hexane-free and unadulterated. It is a thick, rich oil that suits areas needing concentrated moisture, which is why it appears in most of our products.
Why we use castor oil:
• Deeply moisturises skin and hair
• Traditionally used in skincare for blemish-prone skin
• Reduces the appearance of stretch marks and scars
• Conditions the scalp
• Traditionally used on brows and lashes
• Comforts dry, tight skin
Used in: Beard Wax 90ml, The Honey Soap Bar, Cinnamon Honey Soap.
Jojoba Oil
Our Jojoba oil sourced locally from South Africa. Jojoba oil is packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, copper, zinc, chromium, and flavonoids. All of this work together to protect the skin from the effects of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is one of the things that contributes to the look of fine lines.
Why we use jojoba oil:
• Moisturising, and closely resembles the skin’s own sebum
• Non-comedogenic — it does not block pores
• Very rarely causes a reaction, so it suits sensitive skin
• Comforts dry, flaking skin
• Helps balance oil production on congested skin
• Reduces the appearance of scars
Used in: Restoring Cape Camomile Face Cream 200ml, Propolis Balance face serum 50ml, Propolis Balance Face Cream 50g.
100% Pure Unadulterated and Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil
The sweet almond oil that we use is full of Vitamin E and is a very good source for Vitamin A which can help treat acne, and B-7 (biotin) which is amazing for your hair and nails. Sweet almond oil is in all of our skincare products. There is a reason for that!
The sweet almond oil we use is 100% pure, unadulterated and cold-pressed. It is rich in vitamin E and a good source of vitamin A and biotin, and it appears in nearly all of our skincare.
Why we use sweet almond oil:
• Softens and nourishes without a heavy finish
• Improves the look of skin tone and texture
• Comforts dry skin
• Reduces the appearance of scars and stretch marks
• Naturally rich in vitamin E
• Mostly non-comedogenic (2 out of 5), so unlikely to clog pores
Used in: Insect Repellent Balm 50ml, Beeswax Heel Bar 35g, Beard Wax 90ml.
Organic Coconut Oil
Pressed from fresh raw coconuts and is not refined. The reason why we use unrefined coconut oil is because it has a higher content of phytonutrients (compounds produced by plants to help protect them from environmental threats, such as antioxidants), it’s the best choice for skin care.
Why we use unrefined coconut oil:
• Keeps skin moisturised and soft
• Naturally rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which refining strips out
• Comforts dry, rough patches
• Absorbs reasonably well for a solid oil
Used in: Make-up Melt 50ml, Honey & Propolis Body Wash 250ml, Insect Repellent Balm 50ml.
Olive Oil Soap (Castile Soap)
Castile soap is a vegetable-based soap, free from synthetic fragrance, parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals, artificial colourants and animal products. Only contains natural ingredients and a safe preservative, added for your safety at 0.5%.
It is made using an age-old traditional recipe, containing only organic plant oils, including Olive Oil, Coconut Oil and Castor Oil.
The top benefits for using castile soap on your skin:
Suitable even for the most sensitive of skins.
Castile soap might be gentle, but it’s still a powerfully effective cleanser. That means you can absolutely use it to tackle dirt and other impurities on your skin.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamins A and E. So, using olive oil-based Castile soap can help your skin fight against free radicals. With regular use, it even can delay the appearance of aging by protecting your skin from cell degeneration.
The chemicals found most soaps on the market actually draw moisture away from the skin, stripping it of the natural oils that protect it and keep it moisturized, but with olive oil Castile soap, the cleansing process is much gentler, which helps your skin stay hydrated.
Gentle enough for skin that reacts easily, including blemish-prone and easily irritated skin..
It is as gentle on the environment as it is on your skin. Its natural biodegradable ingredients make it ideal for camping since it can be used outdoors without harming the environment.
Castile soap forms the base of our gentle Honey and propolis face and body washes.
Used in: Honey & Propolis Face Wash 250ml, Honey & Propolis Body Wash 250ml.
Essential Oils
We add essential oils to our recipes for their scent and for what they bring to the skin — never synthetic fragrance. You will not find a single drop of synthetic fragrance in any Mountain Bee product. Each oil has its own character and its own reason for being there.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most widely used oils in aromatherapy, valued for its soft floral scent and its calming character.
Why we use it:
• Widely used in aromatherapy for its calming scent
• A traditional evening oil
• Comforts and softens the skin
• Naturally soothing on skin that feels irritated
• Gives our products their gentle natural fragrance
Used in: Honey & Propolis Face Wash 250ml, Make-up Melt 50ml, Insect Repellent Balm 50ml.
100% Pure Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is steam-distilled from the leaves of the tea tree, which grows along the swampy southeast coast of Australia. It has a clean, sharp, medicinal scent and a long history of traditional use.
Why we use it:
• Gives a clean, fresh finish
• Traditionally used in skincare for blemish-prone skin
• Helps skin feel clean and clear
• Adds a crisp natural scent to balms and deodorant
Used in: Honey & Propolis Face Wash 250ml, Beeswax Heel Bar 35g, Cape Chamomile Facial Mist 200ml.
100% Pure Lemongrass Oil
It is also amazing for purifying and toning to the skin, and is frequently used in skin care products for these benefits:
• Bright, clean citrus scent
• Traditionally used in skincare for blemish-prone skin
• Naturally rich in antioxidants
• Helps skin feel refreshed and clarified
• Gives our Balance range its natural fragrance
Used in: Propolis Balance Facial Mist 100ml, Propolis Balance Face Cream 50g.
100% Pure Peppermint Oil
Why we use it:
• Cooling, fresh sensation on the skin
• Comforts skin that feels itchy or irritated
• Traditionally used to soothe insect bites
• Adds a crisp natural scent to foot and heel products
Used in: Insect Repellent Balm 50ml, Eczema Balm 50g.
100% Pure and Unadulterated Eucalyptus Oil
Benefits:
• Helps support the skin’s natural moisture barrier
• Helps the skin hold water, which keeps dryness and the flaking that comes with it at bay
• Contains 1,8-cineole, also called eucalyptol, the compound that gives eucalyptus its characteristic scent
• Supports the skin’s production of ceramides, which help the barrier retain moisture
• Naturally rich in antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which help protect the skin from environmental stress
• Gives a light cooling sensation on the skin
Used in: Honey & Propolis Body Wash 250ml.
100% Pure and Unadulterated Lemon Oil
Lemon oil is cold-pressed from the peel of the fruit. It has a bright, clean citrus scent and is one of the freshest-smelling oils we use.
Why we use it:
• Bright, uplifting natural scent
• Naturally rich in antioxidants
• Traditionally used in skincare to help skin look clarified and even
• Adds a fresh top note to soaps and balms
Please note: citrus oils can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. We use lemon oil at low concentrations and mostly in wash-off products.
Used in: Honey & Propolis Body Wash 250ml, Insect Repellent Balm 50ml, Beard Wax 90ml.