Royal jelly is one of the richest natural products in amino acids. Royal jelly contains at least 17 amino acids, including the 8 essential ones.

Cosmetic properties

Skin conditioning activity

This activity is due to the protein and carbohydrates content in royal jelly.

• Proteins

The polar nature of proteins gives them the capacity to bind water molecules by establishing hydrogen bonds. This 
action is not influenced by the molecular weight of the protein. However, if penetration into the skin and 
moisturizing in deeper skin layers is the goal, then short-chain, low molecular weight peptides yield better results.
Thus, low molecular weight proteins are good moisturizing agents for deep skin layers, while high molecular weight 
proteins – due to their filmogenic action – are better for surface moisturizing and for giving the skin firmness and 
smoothness.

• Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are active principles extensively used in cosmetics. These compounds are hygroscopic, namely they 
adsorb water thus contributing to keep a healthy moisture level in the horny layer. These active compounds build 
hydrogen bonds, thus preventing massive water loss and reducing dehydration. Additionally, some of these 
compounds make a protective coat on the skin, thus preventing and slowing down transepidermal water loss.

Skin regenerating and stimulating activity

Royal jelly provides a younger and clearer appearance to the skin. Royal jelly is a natural product with high contents of nutrients for the skin. It enhances the skin metabolism and delays skin aging. This property is due to the following components:  proline, aspartic acid, vitamins of the B group, vitamin C.

Due to royal jelly, skin cells receive all necessary nutrients to grow and keep their good condition, facilitating the cellular repairing process. 

Anti-inflammatory activity

The study by Kohno, K. et al (2004) aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory action of royal jelly. Thus, they concluded that royal jelly contains factors responsible for suppressing proinflammatory secretion of cytokines. The authors named these factors “honeybees anti-inflammatory factor derived from royal jelly (HBRJ-AIF)”. Thus, these results suggest that royal jelly has anti-inflammatory actions by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production by activated macrophages.

Purifying activity

Acording to recent studies (Montaño Pérez, K. & Vargas Albores, F., 2002), the following peptides have been identified in honeybees (Apis mellifera): apidaecin abaecin and royalisin. These AMPs are effective against Gram (-) and Gram (+) bacteria; they have a typically high proline content.