Active Compound

Bee Venom

Bee Venom is the venom collected from the honeybee, Apis melifera consisting chiefly of melittin

Limited Data

Insufficient safety data available. Consider enriching this ingredient.

Details

Description

Bee Venom is the venom collected from the honeybee, Apis melifera consisting chiefly of melittin

Purpose

Function

ASTRINGENT, SKIN PROTECTING

Profile

Properties

Silicone

Silicone free

Compliance

Regulatory Status

Permitted

Safety

MODERATE

Permitted

Absorptionlow

Sensitizationhigh

MoSnot established

ConcernHigh

Flags

no-sccs-opinionno-cir-revieweu-permitted-no-annexmajor-allergenanaphylaxis-riskneurotoxin-componentanimal-deriveddrug-claim-risk

Verdict

Bee venom is permitted in cosmetics under EU and US regulations but contains documented major allergens (phospholipase A₂, hyaluronidase, Api m 10) with high sensitization prevalence and anaphylaxis risk in atopic or previously sensitized individuals; apamin component is neurotoxic; therapeutic claims trigger drug classification.

US Note

FDA permits bee venom in cosmetics under FD&C Act provided product is safe under labeled conditions. Therapeutic claims (e.g., arthritis treatment) reclassify the product as a drug requiring FDA approval. No GRAS status (GRAS is food-only). FDA issued warning letter (Bee Delightful, Dec 2020) for unapproved drug claims. MoCRA PFAS/heavy metals provisions do not specifically target bee venom.

Assessment

Ratings

Comedogenic0/5

LowHigh

Irritancy0/5