In the past 10 years, Guerlain has studied skincare properties of honey and royal jelly for research and development of the Abeille Royale product line. The research runs in parallel with partnerships in bee conservation, which demonstrates the French brand's commitment to sustainable development.
The philanthropic projects include supporting the conservation of black bees on Ouessant Island, and the development of a large colony of hives across Europe as well as promoting the beekeeping profession.
This year, Guerlain launched a partnership with Unesco-MAB (Man and the Biosphere) and the French Beekeeping Observatory that will train new beekeepers, create new beekeeping enterprises and measure the benefits of pollination in biosphere reserves. Cultivation depends upon pollinating insects of which bees are the most efficient.
The endangered insect has been Guerlain's emblem since 1853, when founder Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain created L'Eau de Cologne Impériale for Empress Eugénie on the occasion of her marriage to Emperor Napoleon III.
The bottle was decorated with gilded bees, symbols of the empire and a festoon motif, inspired by the column of the Place Vendôme. Previously founded in 1828, the maison opened its first boutique at 42 Rue de Rivoli and factory at Place de L'Etoile.
Abeille Royale Fortifying Lotion features liposome technology that allows delivery of a high concentration of royal jelly.
In 2005, the long-established brand received the state-awarded label, Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, or Living Heritage Company.
Its expertise in skincare formulation includes the use of honey, based on 10 years of scientific research, inspired by Prof Bernard Descottes's apitherapy at Limoges University Hospital.
Over a 25-year period, Prof Descottes, the head of visceral and transplantation surgery, used skin-healing honey with bandages on the wounds of some 3,000 patients.
Guerlain's research also identified three criteria for quality honey, namely a rich, diverse well-preserved ecosystem, pure environmental conditions, and bee genetics.
Off the coast of Brittany, Ouessant Island is a protected ecosystem and Unesco classified Biosphere Reserve, and home to the rare black bee species. Since 2011, Guerlain has been providing financial, research and communication support to the Brittany Black Bee Conservatory Association.
Rich in amino acids and oligo-elements, its honey powers BlackBee Repair Technology, featured in Abeiile Royale skincare products, which include Youth Watery Oil, Double R Renew & Repair Serum and the new Fortifying Lotion with Royal Jelly.
The research also studied royal jelly -- a superfood for the queen bee, who lives five to six years compared to a worker bee's lifespan of 45 days.
While hives produce as much as 20kg of honey a year, they only produce around 300g of royal jelly, packed with carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals.
A vital source of energy, the royal jelly possesses adaptogenic properties, which inspired the research and development of the Abeille Royale Fortifying Lotion formulated with 98% naturally derived ingredients.
Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil and Double R Renew & Repair Serum.
The lotion features liposome technology to allow micro encapsulation and the delivery of a high concentration of the royal jelly, to help the skin counteract daily stress and pollution.
The exclusive royal jelly is sourced from the Sologne region and an organic supplier located in the Pyrenees Natural Regional Park. The jelly is hand-harvested by beekeepers, using a process that requires expertise and patience.
Promoting sustainable apiculture is one of Guerlain's engagements. Its partnership with Unesco aims to train 88 beekeepers across 44 biosphere reserves and create 4,400 hives by 2024.
This year, Guerlain also partnered with the GoodPlanet Foundation, founded in 2005 by internationally recognised ecologist and photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand.
This initiative aims to create better awareness among future generations regarding the high stakes surrounding bee preservation, such as through La Ruche (The Hive) beekeeping teaching space, and Bee School workshops run by Guerlain employees and the foundation mediators for visiting groups of children.
