Editor’s note (updated October 2026): this post is from our archive. Egyptian Magic’s six-ingredient formula has not changed, the All-Purpose Skin Cream is still the cult product, and our current Amazon pick is the same jar. We have expanded this review with the ten ways we use it and who should skip it.
Six ingredients. One jar. Dozens of uses. Egyptian Magic is the all-purpose skin cream you will find in makeup artists’ kits and on grandmothers’ bedside tables, and it has been both for decades. We have kept a jar within reach since we first wrote about it, so this is the updated version: what it is, the ten ways we actually use it, and who should skip it.
What’s in it
Olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis. That is the entire formula: no added fragrance, no water and no preservatives. Because there is no water in the jar, it behaves like a balm rather than a lotion. It looks like a thick, waxy paste and melts into a clear oil as soon as it meets warm skin.
In practice, olive oil and beeswax soften skin and form a protective layer that slows water loss through the surface, and honey is a humectant that helps hold moisture in. It is a moisturizer and a barrier, not an active treatment. It will not exfoliate, brighten or fade anything, and it does not need to.
10 ways to use Egyptian Magic cream
- Overnight lip mask. A thin layer before bed, and dry, flaky lips are smoother by morning.
- Cuticle and nail balm. Massage a pinhead-sized amount into each cuticle. This is the use we come back to most.
- Elbows, knees and heels. For the rough spots ordinary body lotion does not touch. On heels, apply at night and put socks on.
- Dry hair ends. Warm the smallest dab between your palms and smooth it over dry, frizzy ends. Too much looks greasy, so start with less than you think.
- Brow groomer. A trace on a spoolie keeps brows in place with a soft sheen.
- Dewy highlight. Pressed onto the cheekbones over makeup, it gives the glossy, lit-from-within look makeup artists use it for.
- Makeup remover. Melt it over eye makeup and mascara, wipe it away, then cleanse as usual.
- Dry patches after shaving or waxing. A thin layer on skin that feels tight or rough once it has calmed down.
- Cold-weather barrier. Over moisturizer on the cheeks and nose before a winter walk or a day on the slopes.
- After a long day outside. For skin that feels dry and tight after sun or wind. It is a moisturizer, not a burn treatment, so keep it off sunburned or broken skin.
How to use it without overdoing it
The mistake almost everyone makes with Egyptian Magic is using too much. It is concentrated: a pea-sized amount covers both hands, and a rice-grain amount is plenty for lips. Warm it between your fingertips first so it melts, then press it in rather than rubbing. On the face, use it as the last step at night over your usual serum or moisturizer, or as a spot balm on dry areas only.
Who should skip it
Three groups. If your face is oily or acne-prone, keep it off the T-zone: beeswax-rich balms are occlusive and can make congestion worse, so use it on lips, hands and body instead. If you are allergic to bee products, avoid it entirely, since propolis, pollen and royal jelly can trigger reactions in some people. And if you want a vegan routine, this is not it: five of the six ingredients come from bees. If you have eczema or another skin condition, check with your dermatologist before using it on affected skin.
The verdict
Buy the big jar. You will go through it. Egyptian Magic is not a miracle and not an active treatment, but as one simple, fragrance-free balm that handles lips, hands, heels, brows and hair ends, it is the most useful jar in our bathroom. It comes in the classic 4-ounce jar plus smaller sizes, so start with a small one if you are not sure.
Shop the post
Our current pick: Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream on Amazon.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Egyptian Magic cream used for?
As a multi-purpose balm: an overnight lip mask, a cuticle balm, a softener for elbows, knees and heels, a smoother for dry hair ends, a brow groomer, a dewy highlight, a makeup remover and a barrier for dry, windburned skin. Its six-ingredient formula (olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis) is what makes it so versatile.
Can you use Egyptian Magic on your face?
Yes, most dry and normal skin types can. Use a thin layer as the last step at night, or on dry patches only. People with very oily or acne-prone skin should patch-test first and keep it off the T-zone, because the beeswax-rich texture can clog congested skin.
Does Egyptian Magic clog pores?
It can on very oily or acne-prone skin, because beeswax and olive oil are occlusive. Dry-to-normal skin usually tolerates it well. Apply thinly and avoid the areas where you break out.
Is Egyptian Magic vegan?
No. Five of its six ingredients come from bees: beeswax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis. Anyone allergic to bee products should avoid it.
How long does a jar of Egyptian Magic last?
Because you need so little, a 4-ounce jar lasts most people several months of daily use, and longer if you only use it as a spot balm. Keep it somewhere cool and dry with the lid on.