Problem skin can be a battle long after those awkward teenage years, and sadly as we get older, it’s not just limited to monthly breakouts anymore. Unfortunately, I know this all too well! In fact, a couple of years ago, I went on vacation and came home with just a liiiittle too much sun, as well as a raging case of sun-induced dermatitis of the face.
It was awkward, itchy, and confusing for both my dermatologist and myself. But when a topical steroid couldn’t really touch it, I took matters into my own hands and turned to some natural remedies—one of them being this magical honey balm known as Egyptian Magic.
How to Make Egyptian Magic
In case you have never heard of it, Egyptian Magic is a skin potion that has been said to help soothe everything from eczema and irritation to acne and burns. While the company doesn’t make medicinal claims about its product, I can tell you firsthand that it’s the only thing that worked on my stubborn dermatitis. So take that for what it’s worth.
Egyptian Magic is made from a combination of olive oil and various bee products, such as honey, pollen, and royal jelly. Although the list of ingredients is a little long and head-scratchingly intricate (bee propolis?), trust me when I say this stuff works miracles, and you’ll be singing its praises within minutes.
Honey
Raw honey has been scientifically recognized as a potent antimicrobial and wound healing agent for over 2,000 years. Traditional medicine in countries around the world has described honey as effective for treating a range of skin disorders. And its effects are so well known that it’s even used as a topical treatment for wound infections in some clinical settings in the West [source].
Bee propolis, pollen, and royal jelly
Bee products such as pollen, propolis, and royal jelly are considered to be a potential source of natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. Thanks to their soothing and healing properties, they’ve been used in skincare products for hundreds of years. As an added bonus, they’re antibacterial, which can help prevent irritation and infection [source].
Olive oil
Olive oil has been shown to penetrate the upper layers of the epidermis more easily than some oils, making it exceptionally soothing and nourishing. Moreover, the concentration of fatty acids it contains, such as oleic acid, helps improve skin barrier function [source].
Beeswax
While also a bee product, beeswax is mostly used in this recipe as an emollient—a soothing, hydrating, and moisturizing agent that protects skin and allows it to heal. It’s what makes this balm take on a solid consistency, as opposed to being a liquid oil blend.
Each one of the ingredients is beneficial on its own, but they work well together to soothe, heal, and protect skin. Olive oil acts as a moisturizer to help make skin soft and supple. Beeswax helps the skin retain moisture by creating a protective barrier. Honey and royal jelly boost collagen in the skin, while bee pollen fights free radicals and makes skin look younger.
How to Use Homemade Egyptian Magic
This homemade Egyptian Magic works best on freshly cleansed skin, so start by washing afflicted areas with a gentle soap like Castile or an oil cleanser to remove dirt, makeup, and anything that might cause irritation.
Next, take a small amount of balm and rub it between your fingers to soften it. Apply it directly to hotspots such as hormonal breakouts, rashes, and scrapes. Or use it like you would a facial moisturizer and pat a small amount directly onto the face and neck—you don’t want to rub it in, just gently pat it on.
For regular use, apply it twice a day, morning and night. If you have a particularly stubborn hotspot, apply it 3–4 times a day until you start to see results. Then cut back to 1–2 times a day.
Egyptian Magic doesn’t just fix skin issues; it’s also an all-around skin balm that can be used for almost anything. It doubles as a face cream, eye cream, lip balm, moisturizing hair mask, shaving cream… and the list goes on.
Egyptian Magic FAQs
Why does my Egyptian Magic feel tacky on my skin?
Honey and royal jelly are both rather sticky and will make this balm feel tacky. It’s just one of the things you run into when making beauty products at home. To cut back on the tackiness, just reduce the amount of honey and royal jelly in your recipe.
Is the bee pollen supposed to dissolve? Mine still feels grainy.
No, bee pollen is not water-soluble, meaning it won’t dissolve in the oils. If the graininess bothers you, cut back on the amount of bee pollen used. It might be a little easier to work with bee pollen powder.
Can I use one single product that includes bee propolis, honey, royal jelly, and pollen instead of buying the ingredients separately?
Sure! But you will need to experiment to get the right ratio of bee products to olive oil and beeswax.
How long does this product last?
As long as you’re careful not to get any water in it, this should last for about 6 months. Even if it hasn’t gone bad by then, the active ingredients might degrade over time, making it less effective.
Do I need to use a preservative to keep the honey from going bad?
I just keep mine in the refrigerator and haven’t noticed any issues. Over time, the honey might separate and sink to the bottom, at which point, I just let it come to room temperature and use a whisk to mix everything together.
I don’t melt it first because I don’t want to damage the healing properties of the bee products, but that means there might be a few chunks left in. I’ve learned to live with it.
Can I add essential oils to this?
Yes! Chamomile, lavender, and helichrysum oils would be great in this.
And in case you’re wondering what to do with all those leftover ingredients, save them and make this amazing honey hand balm (a little dollop of bee propolis will really give it a boost) or add some royal jelly to your morning smoothie for some added vitamins and minerals.
If you experience any skin irritation or itching after application, it is important to reach out to your dermatologist as some may develop a skin allergy to the above ingredients over time.
DIY Egyptian Magic
Equipment
- Microwavable container
- Electric mixer or wire whisk
Materials
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1-1/2 tablespoons beeswax
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 teaspoon bee propolis
- 1/2 tablespoon royal jelly
- 1 teaspoon bee pollen
Instructions
- In a small microwavable container, combine the olive oil and beeswax. Microwave in 20-second intervals until the beeswax is completely melted. Stir to combine. Set aside the beeswax and olive oil mixture so it can cool for about 5 minutes, but don't let it harden.
- In a separate bowl, combine the honey, pollen, bee propolis, and royal jelly. Use the back of a spoon to gently crush the bee pollen granules. Stir together as best you can, but don't worry if the ingredients don't completely mix together just yet.
- Add the honey mixture to the olive oil mixture, and using an electric mixer or wire whisk, whisk everything together until it emulsifies into an opaque, creamy substance. Spoon into a small jar and store in the refrigerator to prevent separation.
Notes
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Rina Mary Allawh, M.D., a dermatologist who practices adult and pediatric medical dermatology, skin cancer treatment, and cosmetic dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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Hello Stephanie!
I just made this, seems to be okay. I had to strain it through several layers of cheesecloth as it was grainy from the type of bee propolis I purchased. It came out the same color as the propolis (a bit green) so it must be still in it. The thing about Egyptian Magic is it does feel a bit oily or tacky when you put it on but that goes in a little while.
Thank you for the recipe, I was just going to wing it. I'll update how this works over the store bought in a few weeks. I highly suspect it's going to be better.
I would love to make the DIY Egyptian Magic. Where do you purchase the bee pollen, bee propolis and royal jelly? What brand? Is it freeze dried? Thank you!
I swear I measured everything exactly. But when I use it on my skin my skin feels tacky. I used extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, royal jelly in honey, Bee pollen powder, propolis resin extract, and raw honey. Help?
Me too Laura… my skin feels sticky & the pollen did not dissolve
Will have to try again with a smaller amount of a different honey & powdering the pollen first
Same here, I followed everything to a T and mine feels tacky on my skin. I know I didn’t miss anything so I’m not sure what happened. Does anyone who what may have caused this?
Y.S. Eco Bee Farms makes a product that includes raw honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, and propolis. Do you think that could be used along with olive oil and beeswax? It saves money if you can buy 1 honey product instead of 4.
I love the feel and the smell of this balm!!!