As some of you will know I keep bees. Obviously everyone is aware that they produce honey and this is my major crop from them. However they also provide beeswax, propolis and royal jelly. All of these can be used to make cosmetics.

In particular I am looking at producing lip balms, moisturisers and lotions using the above as ingredients along with other products such as almond oil and various essential oils etc.

All this will be done on a small scale and wondered if there was any demand for these sort of products and if so where would people expect to purchase them from? Producer, small shops, markets etc.

I think there's a hell of a market for it, if it's accessible.
My mother will not use anything with parabens in where ever possible, so gift wise I have to use very carefully. She spends a lot of money on some Lush items, limited though they are and various online sites.
With the right marketing, online ordering and high profiling you'll get a slow building market I think.
Parabens and others are becoming the bad boys of the product markets, those who risk cancer or have it are looking to the internet more and more to limit the chemicals used. More and more people have sensitive skin which cannot tolerate modern products and they'll look to products like Amie and Little Me but still fall foul.

I would imagine local markets, county fayres, internet website work, networking with other businesses (Chatsworth/Airy Fairy etc) and prudent advertising to select markets will get the word out there.
Samples make people happy and put a positive spin on things when looking for reviews and responses.
And make best use of review sites where ever possible, BView, DooYoo and Ciao will bring up tags and links for people searching for products.
The business thread is perhaps the best place for this though.

I agree with the above post i also think there is a market for this my sister is very picky as to what she uses on her skin as she can be sensitive to a lot of make up but find natural make up ok for her skin im sure they are plenty more people out there the same.

I sell cosmetics and perfumes through my website - I could try to put few of your products on there and see how they sell. PM me if interested

How about having a word with Bubbles Bathtime shop in Hillsborough, Sanman? They do nice handmade stuff, and could be a good local outlet. I'd buy it!

All many thanks for your suggestions. For those who have offered help I'll be in touch:thumbsup:

it's not a route I'd go down in a recession - in ggod time yes, but not now

Definately there is a market for it!

I won't use anything with parabens, sulfates etc in either.
I would certainly buy your products sanman, if they are free of all artificial ingredients.:thumbsup: