Propolis extract
On the label: Propolis Extract · Active
What it is
The resin bees make from tree buds, used in Korean 'glow' serums; not vegan, and a known contact allergen for a few.
Actives: Actives are the ingredients a product is built around: acids, retinoids, vitamins and the like.
In the research
68 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- A multifunctional Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide hydrogel loaded with propolis extract to promote oral mucosal repair · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2026
- Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Thai Stingless Bee Propolis Extracts · Biology, 2026
- Propolis-Based Solution Application in Extraction Socket Healing: A 3D Split-Mouth Clinical Pilot Study · Cureus, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Other actives
Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.