Guerlain's Abeille Royale: Embracing the Power of Ouessant Black Bee Honey in Anti-Ageing Skincare

In the vast landscape of skincare brands that claim to prioritise sustainability and clean beauty, few truly walk the talk like Guerlain. With a longstanding commitment to protecting nature and preserving biodiversity, Guerlain does not pay lip service, but actively engages in meaningful initiatives and partnerships to create a more sustainable world. BAZAAR had the privilege of visiting Ouessant, an island off the coast of Finistère at the western coast of France, and one of the five islands of Brittany, but most importantly, home to the Ouessant black bees—which play a pivotal role in Guerlain’s Abeille Royale range. 

It’s a long four-hour train ride from Paris to Brest, followed by a 40-minute drive to Le Conquet, and another one-hour ferry ride from Le Conquet to Ouessant—truly earning it its nickname of “the island at the end of the world.” What awaited us at the end of the journey was raw, untouched nature and the promise of rich biodiversity. We saw dolphins which followed the ferry on the way out of Le Conquet, a vivid palette of wild flowers upon arrival, and fresh sea breeze that enveloped the island. 

In Ouessant, cars are discouraged to preserve the ecosystem and reduce the carbon footprint. We travelled mainly by bike and a short ride took us to the apiaries of the black bees. The island’s flora is free of chemical aggression and rich in pollen and nectar, allowing the black bees to thrive. This unique environment also allows the bees to produce an exceptional honey—rich in amino acids and polyphenols compared to other honeys.

And it’s the honey of the black bees of Ouessant, together with honeys from three other locations—Corsica (France), Ikaria (Greece) and Åland (Finland)—that form an exceptional blend for the new Abeille Royale Honey Treatment Day and Night Creams. “The honeys from these four locations have been selected for their pure environment and their composition,” explains Dr Frédéric Bonté, Guerlain’s Director of Research. “It is a blend of these four honeys that revive the activity of the skin cells.”

The vision behind Guerlain’s Abeille Royale line is rooted in the ancient wisdom of honey bandages. Guided by the knowledge that honey naturally stimulates collagen fibres, which aid in the reconstruction of the skin’s matrix, Guerlain researchers sought to apply it to anti-ageing skincare. They were particularly intrigued by the findings of Professor Bernard Descottes, an expert in honey-based healing methods, who had demonstrated the medical efficacy of honey bandages on numerous patients. The encounter with Professor Descottes sparked Guerlain’s commitment to unlocking the secrets of honey’s healing properties. Under the leadership of Dr Bonté, the brand’s researchers delved deeper into the tissue reconstruction mechanisms in wound healing and ageing skin repair. This scientific discovery became the foundation for the development of the Abeille Royale line, which combines the healing prowess of honey with cutting-edge skincare technology.

The results of their ongoing research have culminated in the new Honey Treatment Day and Night Creams, inspired by clinical honey poultices and the T.I.M.E. clinical protocol. The creams target visible signs of collagen loss such as wrinkles and lack of firmness; and promote optimal skin repair. The T.I.M.E. protocol focuses on four key stages of epidermal healing: tissue necrosis removal, inflammation soothing, moisture lock-in, and epidermisation.

At the heart of the formula is Guerlain’s Dynamic BlackBee Repair technology, which incorporates the Black Bee honey from Ouessant Island, along with exclusive royal jelly and the honeys from the other three areas. This unique blend activates the skin’s collagen system and enhances its self-repair mechanisms. By tripling the connections between epidermal nerve cells and skin cells, it significantly boosts the repairing efficacy by 47 percent within 24 hours. In addition, it also stimulates the synthesis of Collagen I and III by 158 percent and 77 respectively, prompting skin to appear firmer with its plumpness restored. 

The 2023 generation of Abeille Royale Honey Treatment Day and Night Creams also introduces two powerful ingredients: polyfragmented hyaluronic acid and a two percent concentrated pro-elasticity hexapeptide. The hyaluronic acid retains moisture and penetrates all layers of the skin, while the hexapeptide targets elastin and improves skin plumpness. Combined with Dynamic Blackbee Repair technology, these ingredients effectively reverse the visible signs of collagen loss for a more youthful complexion.

When applied, the creams form a veil over the skin, similar to the mesh of a honey bandage, completely enveloping the skin for comfort and protection. The Honey Treatment Day Cream leaves a velvety finish that’s comfortable to wear, even in Singapore’s humid weather. Honey Treatment Night Cream, on the other hand, has a silky smooth texture that protects the skin from dryness while you sleep. Tapping into the skin’s natural circadian rhythm, Honey Treatment Night Cream is also enriched with Ikaria honey, which has the ability to boost the skin’s Collagen I synthesis during sleep.

Guerlain’s relationship with nature goes beyond taking inspiration from its wonders. They are acutely aware of their responsibility to give back and protect the environment. Cécile Lochard, Guerlain’s Chief Sustainability Officer said, “More than two decades ago we started to understand that the quality of our raw ingredients was really dependent on our ecosystem,” stressing the crucial role of conserving and protecting the delicate balance of the ecosystems where the Ouessant black bees thrive. 

They provide financial support to the Brittany Black Bee Conservation Association to help in the maintenance of the hives and the various actions the Association needs as well as support its research and communication activities. Guerlain also works closely with beekeepers and organisations committed to bee conservation, to ensure the long-term survival of bee populations and their vital role in pollination. In addition to ingredient sourcing, their sustainability efforts include operational practices and packaging design. Working with its glass partner, Honey Treatment Day and Night Creams are made from post-consumer recycled glass, with up to 40 percent recycled content, and for the first time, are refillable.

These initiatives reflect Guerlain’s dedication to minimising environmental impact while providing luxurious skincare. By integrating sustainability and bee conservation, Guerlain sets an example for responsible beauty practices, ensuring the preservation of our planet’s natural treasures so that everyone can enjoy it for years to come.