The farm where Propolis Balm is made

Organic, sustainable, gentle, multi-tasking; without a doubt some of the biggest buzz words in the beauty industry today. The mere mention of one is enough to create a flurry of interest, so when we came across a product that ticked all the boxes RIH had to find out more. The beauty trailblazer in question is Apodea’s Propolis Balm. A humble ointment in a chic, but unassuming pot that packs a mighty beauty punch. Containing pure beeswax and propolis (a waxy, soothing substance bees leave on the buds of some trees) it can be used as a tingle-inducing lip balm, on cuticles, as a softening conditioner on chapped and rough skin and to calm some skin irritations. Thanks to the propolis it also boasts antiseptic and anti-fungal qualities.

The smorgasbord of benefits it brings makes it a perfect handbag staple, and it’s easy to see why it’s the brand’s bestseller. Unlike some multi-tasking balms it glides on beautifully and soon seeps into skin, without leaving a tiresome, greasy film. It calms red, dry patches quickly and stays put on lips offering protection from autumn’s increasingly brutal elements. But it is the balm’s provenance that really has beauty insiders and organic aficionados excited.

Created in small batches by the Rossi family in Italy’s Umbria, much of the Apodea body care range has achieved Demeter International certification. Doing so requires that 90% of the ingredients and processes used adhere to the stringent standards – a coup that is rarely achieved by entire cosmetic products. The natural products are also free from synthetic fragrances, artificial colourings, mineral oil derivatives or GMOs (genetically modified organisms). As such the balm suited my sensitive skin, and the range can be used on young children and pregnant women.

So, where’s the sting I hear you ask? Perhaps it’s in the way the propolis, honey and bees wax are sourced? Not a chance. The bees themselves are the stars of the show and are treated as such. Able to roam over unspoilt Umbrian countryside, they collect their precious nectar from wild plants like honeysuckle, lilac, limeblossom and peach and almond trees. The family employs a holistic approach to farming called biodynamic beekeeping. This means they refuse the harmful practices all too often seen in commercial beekeeping, like clipping a queen’s wings, harvesting the honey too often and feeding the bees refined sugar solution in winter. And, of course, nothing is tested on animals and the packaging is 100% recyclable.

Beauty buzz words like ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ are too often bandied around by brands that don’t quite have the goods to back them up. So it’s refreshing to find a range that surpasses all expectations and more than measures up to the labels. It’s rarer still to find eco-friendly, organic products that work well and feel luxurious rather than worthy. The fuss over the Apodea balm is clearly justified. Other brands should sit up and take note. This is the standard organic beauty will soon be measured at.

You can find out more about the Apodea range on the brand’s website.

In addition to the Propolis Ointment, the full Apodea range includes organic bodycare products as well as natural haircare treats...