Scientist + Bee Keeper = New Skin Line (Win!)

World Honeybee Day was on August 17, but we’re still dreaming about honey—specifically, the bad-ass scientist behind the new honey-focused skincare line, That Beetch. Erika Nomeland has been a scientist for decades (Proctor & Gamble) and U of Cincinnati adjunct instructor who also became a COVID-grown beekeeper. Using scientifically-backed formulas with honey and propolis, That Beetch products have high levels of powerful active ingredients, are safe to use and are super fun (product names are Royal Threesome, Resting Beetch Face, Beetox and Busy-beetch). We chatted with Erika to learn more. —Vita Daily

What inspired you to combine your scientific background with beekeeping to create That Beetch skincare line? Could you share the journey from being a scientist at Procter & Gamble to becoming a beekeeper and launching this innovative brand?

I’ve always had an interest in honeybees and when COVID hit, I decided to start beekeeping. I read about all the amazing materials the bees made and decided to try making some skincare at home. I was amazed that the products cleared up hormonal acne I’d been fighting for years. I decided then and there that I needed to share the magic!

That Beetch products are known for using honey and propolis with scientifically-backed formulas. How do these natural ingredients benefit skincare, and what sets your formulations apart from other products on the market?

Honey and propolis are truly magic materials that cannot be replicated. Propolis has over 300 plant compounds alone! It has data supporting wound healing, increased skin regeneration, and increasing collagen production. Honey is known to moisturize skin, repair the skin’s barrier, and fight bacteria. These two ingredients combined really tackle almost any skin issue, all while being gentle. Our formulas are different from any others I’ve seen as we use raw honey, and our honey, propolis, and prebiotic blend make up around 10% of our formula!

The names of your products like Royal Threesome, Resting Beetch Face, Beetox, and Busy-beetch are both intriguing and playful. How did you come up with these names, and what message do you hope they convey to your customers?

We wanted something less serious, and a little cheeky. Skincare has become so boring and bland. Having skin conditions doesn’t mean you can’t be a little bit playful and fun. Why not have something that works great, and gives people a smile?

World Honeybee Day happened on August 17. How does That Beetch celebrate the importance of honeybees, and why is sustainability and ethical sourcing crucial for your brand?

We are really committed to giving back. Each purchase of our products comes with pollinator seeds so we can help feed our honeybee friends. But we also like to inspire a new generation of beekeepers. A portion of our profits go towards providing young people interested in beekeeping classes and supplies to get started. It can be an expensive and confusing endeavor to start, and we don’t want that to deter anyone. 

As a scientist and educator, how do you balance the science behind skincare with creating products that are enjoyable and effective for consumers? What advice would you give to individuals looking to incorporate more natural ingredients into their skincare routines?

There are a lot of great natural materials for the skin, and a lot of naturally derived ones that are technically synthetic but very safe. The balance is finding the perfect blend of both. We are obsessed with having clean and safe formulas, every ingredient is heavily researched and shared fully on our website. Our formulas are over 90% natural. For those looking to go 100% natural, I would just caution to be on the lookout for products that have a very good natural preservative, and good reviews. The biggest issue with all naturals is skin sensitivity as they tend to have more allergens, as well as bacterial growth. We are lucky honey is a natural preservative, and gentle.

Win! A $150 That Beetch Skin-Perfecting Prize Pack!

Congrats Tricia C. of Hamilton, ON, who will receive a That Beetch Queen’s Regimen skin perfecting start kit with 4 full-sized products valued at $150! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.