Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, yes: counterfeit jars of “Egyptian Magic” are being sold on DHgate, AliExpress and eBay. We are working with these websites and the Chinese authorities to curtail the problem, but for now it is very widespread.

Important: only the label of our jar is being copied. The counterfeiters make no effort to duplicate the product itself. You have no idea what is in the jar: they use the cheapest possible ingredients to make a cream that looks something like Egyptian Magic. The color, smell and texture are all different, and we have seen numerous reports of skin problems and complaints from customers who unwittingly applied counterfeit product to their skin or hair.

If in doubt, do not put it on your skin. Email us at [email protected] and we will help you identify whether it is genuine Egyptian Magic.

• Shrink-band. All legitimate jars of Egyptian Magic either have a shrink seal or are sold in a protective clamshell. Most counterfeit jars also have a shrink seal, but a jar without one is a guaranteed problem. If you receive a loose jar without a shrink seal, send it back.
• Molded name on the bottom. Since mid-2014 we have molded the words “Egyptian Magic Skin Cream” into the bottom of our 4 oz jars. This is a good indication that a 4 oz jar is genuine.
• Coding on the bottom. This is no longer a way to judge authenticity. In the past we used laser-etched codes for the lot number and use-by date. They were difficult to counterfeit, but also difficult to read, and did not meet the legal labeling requirements in certain markets, so we have switched back to printed codes.

The short answer is the label. Many people notice minor variations on the label over time and think they are looking at a counterfeit jar. But the counterfeiters duplicate our labels exactly: when we change the label, they make the same change. Since the whole point of a counterfeit is to trick someone, they are extremely careful not to introduce changes (or mistakes) that would make a fake easy to spot. Two label changes you might see:

• “Egyptian” vs. “Kamitian.” Some countries required us to change the word “Kamitian” to “Egyptian” in the top line of the jar, and we changed every label to keep one consistent label around the world. The counterfeiters changed right along with us, so you cannot use this as a guide: newer jars, genuine and counterfeit, always say “Egyptian.”
• Other markings. Over time we have made other minor changes to the label, such as updating the copyright information and moving the ® symbol. These changes have been duplicated too, and have no bearing on whether a jar is genuine.

• Buy from an authorized reseller. Every store on our store locator is one. Avoid DHgate, AliExpress and eBay if at all possible, and make sure any online seller gives you an unconditional guarantee: we find that the majority of products on those websites claiming to be authentic Egyptian Magic are in fact counterfeit.
• Insist on a printed use-by date and lot code. If a printed code is there, make sure it has not been tampered with in any way.
• If in doubt, do not put it on your skin. Email us at [email protected] and we will help you identify whether it is genuine Egyptian Magic.

The real question is, what can’t you use it for? We’ve been making Egyptian Magic since 1991, and our loyal customers keep surprising us with creative new uses. One jar is a face moisturizer, a lip balm, a hand and body cream, a hair mask, a brow conditioner, a shaving balm and a natural highlighter.

For a quick tour of the most-loved uses, see One jar, infinite rituals. Found a use of your own? Share it with us on Instagram or Facebook.

See the three steps under How to apply. Because Egyptian Magic is a solid, oil-based balm, you’ll see the best results if you soften it by warming it before you apply it. Take a small amount and rub it between your hands until it softens and turns into an oil, then gently apply it to your skin. A little Egyptian Magic goes a long way.

For hair, warm it up and gently work it into the ends. You can also use it as a mask on your hair and scalp: leave it on for an hour or more, then wash it out with shampoo. Dab it on your cheekbones for a natural glow, or smooth it over wet skin after a shower or bath for all-over hydration.

Egyptian Magic is paediatrician approved, kind to skin and suitable for sensitive skin. It is made with bee-derived ingredients (honey, beeswax, royal jelly and propolis), so, as with any skin care product, please check with your baby’s doctor before use, especially if your child may be allergic to bee products.

Yes. Egyptian Magic is suitable for eczema-, psoriasis- and rosacea-prone skin. It is not a medicine, and we make no medical claims for it: it is a cosmetic that moisturizes and conditions, and it is not intended to treat eczema or any other skin condition. If you are managing a skin condition, talk to your dermatologist.

Egyptian Magic has been clinically tested through a 6-week dermatological patch test study conducted on 108 subjects by an independent accredited laboratory, with zero irritation or sensitization reactions observed.

Yes. Egyptian Magic is made of honey, beeswax, olive oil, royal jelly and bee propolis. Our unique process combines these five simple ingredients into a moisturizing balm unlike any other. That’s it: no added water, synthetic fragrance, synthetic preservatives, parabens or fillers.

More on each ingredient under The formula.

We use the highest-quality, purest ingredients we can find, and we choose them for their quality, not their label. We have found that an “organic” label on its own doesn’t mean an ingredient is safe, healthy or unprocessed. Sadly, some of the lowest-quality ingredients we have come across were nevertheless labeled “organic.”

No. Because it is made with bee products, Egyptian Magic is not vegan.

Comedogenicity is the likelihood that a product will clog pores, usually rated on a scale of 0 to 5. We have not tested Egyptian Magic for comedogenicity, so we don’t call it non-comedogenic. As background, its two principal ingredients are olive oil, commonly rated 2 on that scale, and beeswax, rated between 0 and 2 depending on several factors.

Egyptian Magic is a moisturizer, not an acne treatment, and we make no claims for acne.

Every jar of Egyptian Magic is hand-crafted by our company in the United States.

We do not, and never have, tested on animals. Egyptian Magic is listed as cruelty-free by PETA.

Yes, it is. Our manufacturing team is part of every step of the labor-intensive process, in our own facilities in Texas.

Absolutely. Egyptian Magic comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee: if for any reason you are not satisfied with the results, return the half-used jar in its original packaging, with your receipt, to the place of purchase for a full refund. The guarantee covers jars bought from us or from an authorized reseller.

Bought it on our website? The return address and refund steps are on our Shipping & Returns page. If you have any problem with your refund, email us at [email protected].

Right here in our shop, and at Whole Foods, Costco, Target and thousands of other stores in 45 countries. To find the store closest to you, use our store locator. As always, buy from an authorized reseller to be sure you are getting genuine Egyptian Magic.

Costco member? Look for Egyptian Magic on Costco.com.