December 6, 2025, 7:33 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Bee venom as an effective remedy against wrinkles—allegedly, celebrities like Princess Kate and actress Gwyneth Paltrow swear by this beauty treatment. But how does such a treatment work, and how dangerous can it be for allergy sufferers? PETBOOK consulted an expert.
Royal jelly, honey shampoos—bee products are popular natural cosmetics. Bee venom is also said to work wonders and is used in cosmetic wrinkle treatments. PETBOOK spoke with chemist and bee expert Dr. Thomas Gloger.
Highly Concentrated Bee Venom in Creams Against Wrinkles
“Bee venom is a very potent toxin that can be destructive, but when properly dosed, it can also be healing,” explains Dr. Thomas Gloger, chemist, bee expert, and author. “It is a highly effective cocktail of 78 components, one of which is melittin. This protein molecule stimulates the formation of new cell tissue.” For wrinkle treatment, there are highly concentrated creams with 0.1 percent bee venom (cost: about 50 euros). “That’s the maximum,” says Gloger. “The creams tighten the skin surface and are best applied in the evening before bedtime.” However, one should not expect miracles: “Bee venom is a natural product, and the effect does not occur overnight,” the expert says. “It takes several weeks before a noticeable rejuvenation of the skin is visible.”
Bee Venom Injection Against Wrinkles
Not only through creams and serums, but also an injection of bee venom can counteract wrinkles. This is referred to as apitoxin. The venom is injected into the skin areas to be treated, such as the forehead or crow’s feet. Similar to Botox, bee venom relaxes the muscles, making fine lines and wrinkles appear reduced. However, this wrinkle-reducing treatment is not sufficiently scientifically studied compared to other methods. “We recommend our clients take a photo every ten days to document the progress,” advises Gloger.
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How Bee Venom Is Harvested
To extract the venom from the bee, it must be provoked—similar to snails, which are made to secrete more slime. How is this done? “Devices that emit mild electric shocks are placed in front of a beehive,” explains Dr. Thomas Gloger. “This irritates the bees, causing them to release their venom onto a glass pane.” Is this animal cruelty? “After three to four days, they have regenerated their venom, and the bees do not die in the process,” the expert reassures.
Bee Venom Against Wrinkles—a No-Go for Allergy Sufferers
Anyone with a bee venom allergy will (and should!) automatically avoid such a wrinkle treatment. In 2018, Spiegel reported on the death of a woman in Spain following bee acupuncture. “Natural substances always carry a risk of allergies,” explains Dr. Thomas Gloger. “Many people are very afraid of bees and being stung.”
However, most severe allergic reactions are not due to bees but to wasps, the expert continues. The venom of the Asian hornet, which is increasingly spreading in Germany, has a significantly higher allergic potential. Those who are sensitive and generally prone to allergies should not try the product on their face right away, but rather test it in the crook of their arm first: “The cream does promote blood circulation in the skin, but it should not burn intensely. In such a case, you should quickly wash off the texture with warm water and avoid it altogether.”