Propolis

Propolis is 蜂胶 (fēng jiāo) in Chinese, written 蜂膠 in Traditional Chinese. It's a bee-derived resin rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, used in skincare for its antibacterial, antioxidant, and redness-calming properties.

Propolis is a bee-made resin blend whose main job is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action; honey is mostly sugars and nutrients, gentler and more moisturizing. They can be used together without conflict, but propolis has more concentrated actives and calms inflammation more directly.

Propolis itself is gentle, but since it comes from bees, be cautious if you're allergic to honey or pollen. Patch-test a small amount behind the ear or on the jawline, wait 24 hours, and go full-face only if there's no redness or itching.

Raw propolis extract is highly concentrated — don't apply it neat. Use a formulated serum or mask (typically 2–10%), or mix it into a lotion. You get the benefits without over-irritating the skin.

The calming effect comes fairly fast — some people notice less redness within a week or two. For acne improvement, expect 3–4 weeks or more of consistent use, since the acne cycle itself is long.

Extract is a liquid or concentrated form with more active content and better skin absorption; powder is coarser and works more slowly. Skincare products usually use the extract for its formulation flexibility and stability.