Spotlight | Tony Moly Black Bee Emulsion.

Although I have an established skincare routine, I make adjustments to it every once in awhile depending on my skin's needs and the current weather condition. For instance, whenever I feel that my skin looks unusually dry and lifeless, I use a brightening ampoule on top of my regular moisturizer. Or during the hot and humid summer months, when I replace my moisturizing cream with lotions or emulsions that feel lighter on the skin.

These days, I'm using the Tony Moly Black Bee Emulsion as my everyday moisturizer. I received this as a gift from Tony Moly Philippines about a month ago, but it wasn't until mid-March that I started to use it.

Black Bee Emulsion.

Like most Tony Moly products, the Black Bee Emulsion comes in a simple, straightforward, yet sophisticated packaging. The gold text against the black honeycomb design on the box create a stunning contrast, while the shiny gold aluminum collar looks elegant with the black pump bottle.

Gold pump, black bottle.

Full-sized bottle at 140 mL.

Written on the box are the product description, active ingredients, and directions for use. There's Hangul text at the back of the box, while the English translations are on the side panel.

Hangul text at the beck.

English text on the side.

The Black Bee Emulsion contains these natural ingredients - black bee propolis extract, hornet extract, and bee venom. They may sound a bit creepy, but these insect-derived ingredients actually work wonders for the skin.

Propolis - the sticky substance derived from tree resin that bees use to coat the hive - is known for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effects on the skin. It's rich in amino acids, bioflavonoids, vitamins, and minerals that help fight free radicals which can damage the skin. Bee venom, on the other hand, is creating a buzz these days in the world of skincare and cosmetics. It's been heralded as an ideal ingredient for skincare as it increases blood circulation, plumps out and firms the skin while filling and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. And then there's hornet extract, which helps relive skin irritation. Many believe that this amino acid-rich insect fluid help improve stamina and physical endurance, thus becoming the main ingredient of a popular sports drink in Japan.

Now here's how the product looks like.

Half a pump of the Black Bee Emulsion.

It has a light and runny consistency,  which is characteristic of most (if not all) emulsions. It becomes watery once you spread it, which allows for easy skin absorption. It's neither oily nor sticky, and doesn't leave an icky feel on the skin.

Light, runny, almost watery.

Now the scent is something I couldn't quite put my finger on. It has a warm, Oriental scent that's neither funky nor overpowering, but my olfactory senses tell me it's not light and refreshing either. I'm not bothered by the scent, I just couldn't find the right words to describe it. If you have used or tested this product before, you'll probably get my drift. 

What I love:

- Simple and sophisticated packaging.

- Product is easy to dispense.

- Easily absorbed by the skin.

- Lightweight, and doesn't leave the skin with an icky feel.

- Makes the skin look healthy and radiant. 

- No breakouts or allergies while using this product.

What you might not like:

- The scent. It doesn't smell bad, but it's not very fragrant, either.

- Not recommended for people allergic to bee products.

The Black Bee Emulsion sells for Php 1398 (around $30), available at Tony Moly stores nationwide.