The latest magic ingredient being added to skin creams, lip-plumping potions and sticky face masks has been creating buzz.

Bee venom, long used in ancient medicine, is being touted as a 'natural Botox' that stimulates the body's production of collagen and elastin to smooth, lift and tighten skin. The venom also contains a compound called melittin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Much of the clinical research into bee venom has focused on its effect on diseases like cancer and arthritis. Studies of its uses as a skin-care treatment have been limited.

'I couldn't find any legitimatescientific studies of the benefit of bee venom either topical or injected,' says David Leffell, a professor of Dermatology and Surgery at Yale School of Medicine. 'Within the world of anti-aging