Apivita Bring Together their Love of Hippocrates, Greek Nature and their Native Bees to Create an Inspiring Beauty Range

I spend quite a bit of my time on Twitter now and it’s a fabulous place to while away far too much time finding natural, organic and free-from skincare and bodycare ranges which I have yet to try or know about.

It’s even better when a brand finds me and approaches me about their products. This happened with Apivita. I had a lovely email from Anna Matrinou from Apivita who asked if I’d like to try out their natural skincare products. Following a quick browse of their website I replied saying “I’d love to”. I was also quite surprised I’d not found them before.

Apivita sprung to life in 1979 when pharmacists Nikos and Niki Koutsianias met and discovered their shared passion for nature. They married in that same pharmacy and together created their first natural cosmetic products using bee products and Greek herbs. 

Apivita has been built on very firm natural and green foundations. This is a company who has built their success by working with nature, having integrity and a very clear vision. For Apivita ‘nature is the most dominant ruler of all’ and they have been inspired by the philosophies and holistic approach of Hippocrates, their love and respect of their native bees and their deep knowledge in Greek herbs to develop a range of products which covers everything from skincare, bodycare, and hair care to a children’s range, essential oils, sun creams and honey. Their products range is vast with over 300 beauty care products. 

The name APIVITA is taken from two Latin words; “Apis” meaning bee and ”Vita” meaning life. Therefore Apivita means “the life of the bee”. Their logo is inspired by the Bees of Malia, a rare piece of Minoan jewellery from the 17th-18th century BC. The two bees together form a union symbolizing fertility and harmony. They are surrounded by an open circle which represents the lyre of Apollo, symbolising devotion, sustainable development and belief in ancient Greek culture. This is a company who are steeped in their own country’s ancient roots, who also respect their country’s bee population and native herbs, flora and fauna. I found their “Our Story” video a great watch and would recommend you put aside 10 minutes to see what Apivita have created from very humble beginnings.

Their products are made with natural ingredients:

• Greek and Mediterranean plants
• Plant and herb extracts, plant oils, infusions instead of water
• 100% pure essential oils
• Bee products including propolis, beeswax, honey, and Royal jelly
• Active plant and herb Ingredients: resveratrol, lycopene, polyphenols, bioflavonoids plus many more
• Safe preservatives
• Mild, surfactants which are biodegradable

And, are made without:

• SLS, ALES, ALS
• Parabens, MIT, BHT
• Petrochemicals (Mineral and Paraffin Oils)
• Synthetic Perfumes (Phthalates, PCM)
• GMOs
• Animal Derivatives (excluding bees)
• Animal Testing
• Radiation
• Silicones
• Propylene Glycol
• Synthetic Colours

You can find APIVITA products in thousands of pharmacies throughout Greece. They also have a presence in 11 countries worldwide: Australia, Belgium, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, USA. In the UK you can find Apivita in Marks and Spencer.

So, on to the lovely products which Anna kindly sent me:

Apivita’s Cleansing Gel for oily / combination skin

Aqua Vita 24 hours moisturising cream gel for oily / combination skin

Lip Care with Propolis lip balm stick

Kids Hair and Bodywash which is suitable from 1 year upwards.

Firstly, the Cleansing Gel Wash. I really enjoyed using this. I love using water in the mornings to get that freshly washed feeling only water can produce. As I have oily / combination skin I don’t like using creams or oils at the beginning of the day. They tend to leave my skin too shiny. I leave these until the end of my day where they can do the job of moisturising and balancing my skin without my having to worry about a shiny T-zone. The gel wash smells fresh and a touch fruity (with citrus essential oils) but in no way over powering or sickly. It has a lovely gentle foaming action and leaves my skin feeling clean, fresh with a slightly mattified feel. I haven’t much left in the bottle (which is in a handy pump bottle) and would definitely repurchase. If you like a facial wash and have oily / combination skin, then I think you’d enjoy this one.

Ingredients:

Aqua**, Aqua, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocopolyglucose Tartrate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-150 Distearate, Sorbitol, Polysorbate 20, Bisabolol, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Propolis, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Capryloyl Glycine, Allantoin, Camelia Sinensis Leaf* , Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Oil*, Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil*, Juniperus Communis Oil, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool

**Camelia Sinensis* Leaf Aqueous Infusion = Green tea water
* Certified organic cultivations

 Their Aqua Vita 24hr Moisturising Cream Gel for oily / combination skin was again a joy to use. It isn’t really a gel but the description cream gel is probably a good way to describe it as it’s a lighter cream. It isn’t rich or thick in consistency which oilier skins do not need. It is light, easily absorbed and leaves the skin well hydrated but without the sticky, greasier feeling thicker creams would leave for someone with my skin type. It’s slightly thicker than a lotion if that makes sense. It smells yummy, more herbal / floral but again not overpowering. It smells like nature in a pot and I’d happily repurchase.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water)**, Dicaprylyl Ether, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Glycerin, Aqua (Water), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Propolis Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf* Extract, Xanthan Gum, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Capry‎lyl Glycol, Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olus Oil (Vegetable Oil), Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil*, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Carbomer, PEG-100 Stearate, Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf*, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum (Fragrance), Farnesol, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol

**Camelia Sinensis* Leaf Aqueous Infusion = Green tea water
* Certified organic cultivations

I loved using the Lip Balm with Propolis. Call me old fashioned but there’s nothing quite like a twizzle stick lip salve to make a girl happy. Little lip balm pots are all well and good but have you noticed how difficult they are to apply when you’re outside, it’s cold, you’re wrapped up in hat, scarf and gloves but desperately need to apply some lip balm? Step forward Apivita’s Lip Care Stick. You can take the top off, twist the stick to the required height and apply to lips. Fabulous ! It smells yummy and has organic beeswax, organic olive oil, organic shea butter and vitamins to nourish those dry, chapped lips. It’s stayed permanently in my coat pocket since the colder weather appeared although the girls keep trying to steal it from me when I’m not looking. I think we’re going to need to buy a couple more so we all have one each. Mummy is not giving up hers anytime soon.

Ingredients:

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Oleyl Alcohol, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera Wax), Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Abietate, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Tricaprylin, Copernicia Cerifera Cera (Carnauba Wax), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Cetyl Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Cetyl Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Propolis Extract, Aroma (Flavor), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Phytosterols, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem* Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Sorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Coumarin.

* Certified organic cultivation

And lastly, the Kids Hair and Bodywash with calendula, wheat, honey and orange essential oil. This was great, not a huge lather action which you would expect from a natural product. I love it but would have preferred a stronger orange fragrance but this is purely a personal thing. Also, I’m well aware that for children as young as 1 year old a high concentration of essential oils in products is not advisable. The girls loved using it and I loved the gorgeous, quirky Greek children’s images on the bottle and box.

Ingredients

Aqua** (Water**), Aqua (Water), Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sorbitol, Polyquaternium-47, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Hydrolysed Wheat Protein, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel* Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower* Extract, Mel* (Honey*) Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Flower*, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal.

*Certified organic cultivation
**Calendula* Leaf Aqueous Infusion = Calendula infusion

All in all, I was very impressed with the Apivita range and would definitely like to try more of their products. As you know finding natural hair care products which can cope with my thick locks always poses a huge problem for me so I may just have to give one of Apivita’s hair care range a go. I’m very pleased to have found Apivita and glad they found me too !

If you’d like to find out more about Apivita’s wide range of natural and organic products then they have a very comprehensive website, you can follow them on Twitter and also give them a Like on their Facebook Page.

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Have any of you tried Apivita’s range of natural beauty products? I’d love to hear your views / comments on this lovely Greek range.

Disclaimer: I was sent a 50ml pot of Apivita Aqua Vita 24 hr Cream Gel Moisturiser, a 200ml bottle of Cleansing Gel Wash., a 15oz Lip Care with Propolis lip salve and a 200ml Kids Hair & Bodywash to try out. All opinions are my own and no one else's.