Cosmetics industry threatened by bee demise

Beauty products at risk as number of British honeybees drops dramatically

Cosmetics which rely on the honeybee for production are facing a crisis as the British insect - whose numbers have dropped by 80% in some areas - is dying out.

According to the Co-operative Group, almost 4000 of the UK's favourite cosmetics are under threat, including 643 brands of mascara, 589 lipsticks and at least 453 moisturisers.

The cosmetics all rely on beeswax, a by-product of the pollination process. Beeswax is found in a wide range of cosmetics ingredients such as honey, wax, propolis and royal jelly. It acts as a preserve and a barrier against air and moisture.

Some of the products under threat are:

* Max Factor Lipfinity * Nair hair removal products * Wella Shockwaves Styling Cream * L'Oreal Voluminous Volume Building Waterproof Mascara * The Body Shop Shea Body Butter * Nivea Visage Anti Wrinkle and Firming Cream

The Co-operative has launched a campaign to save the honeybee, called Plan Bee, encouraging people to plant their gardens in a way to help the bees thrive. Paul Monaghan, the Co-operative's Head of Social Goals said: 'Nature's number one pollinating machine appears to be breaking down and no one knows for sure why.

'The great thing, though, is that we can all do our bit to turn things around.'

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