Royal jelly

Royal jelly is a nutrient-rich, creamy substance produced by worker bees to feed queen bees. In skincare, it is valued for its moisturising and skin-conditioning properties, often appearing in creams, serums and masks as a luxurious natural ingredient.

How it works in skincare

In cosmetics, royal jelly functions as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent, helping to attract and retain moisture while supporting the skin’s natural barrier. Its rich composition of proteins, fatty acids and vitamins gives formulations a soothing, nourishing feel that leaves skin looking smoother and more supple.

Key benefits

Helps hydrate and soften the skin
Supports a healthy-looking skin barrier
Imparts a smooth, supple feel
Adds a luxurious texture to creams and masks
Conditions dry or rough skin
Enhances the overall appearance of radiance

Best for

dry skin, mature skin, dehydrated skin, sensitive skin

Where it comes from

Royal jelly is a milky secretion produced by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of young worker honeybees (Apis mellifera). It is fed exclusively to queen larvae to support their development.

Products with Royal jelly

Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Royal jelly than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.

All ingredients