2026 Winners Announced

Hard Working Hands Balm – Nina’s Bees

SILVER
Best Men’s Personal Care 2026

$40.00

A rich, protective balm for dry, overworked hands. Formulated with botanical oils, beeswax and plant extracts, it nourishes, softens and supports skin comfort while forming a breathable barrier against environmental stress.

Formulated with excellent clean ingredients, including some organic ingredients.
Nina's Bees practices low-intervention beekeeping by avoiding pesticides, synthetic chemical treatments, plastic frames and queen excluders, allowing bees to build their own comb and regulate their colony naturally. Beeswax and honey are collected in moderation to ensure bees retain sufficient resources. All products are handcrafted in the Blue Mountains with full oversight from hive to finished formulation. Ingredients are also sourced from trusted suppliers such as Native Oils of Australia, who ensure traceability, ethical farming practices and batch testing. Products are accredited Toxic Free by Safe Cosmetics Australia.
Nina's Bees produces in small batches to reduce overproduction, minimise waste and ensure product freshness. Products are made from naturally derived, biodegradable ingredients. The brand partners with Native Oils of Australia to support sustainable farming and participates in a circular system by returning, cleaning and reusing oil containers. Packaging uses recyclable materials and minimises plastic. Beekeeping practices also support pollination and healthy ecosystems.
Nina’s Bees provides a free service to rescue and rehome wild bee swarms from public and residential spaces, delivers educational talks in schools and community groups about the importance of bees and offers primary and high school students work experience and school project opportunities at the apiary. Nina also volunteers with the Inspiring the Future program to help students explore career pathways and participates in local Green Thumb groups and Rotary Club meetings to support bee-friendly environments and biodiversity.

Product Reviews by Experts


When I first picked up Nina’s Bees Hardworking Hands Balm, one of the first things I appreciated was its size. The tin fits perfectly into my pocket, my chef’s knife kit, or the centre console of my car, which is important because I’m constantly on the move between catering jobs, wellness retreats, and events. As a wholefoods chef, my hands get a serious workout every day from moving between heat, cold, salt, citrus, and hours of hands-on food preparation. As soon as I applied this balm, my hands let me know that this is what they had been craving for quite some time. I particularly love that it’s made with simple, natural ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil and beeswax. I stubbornly try to only put on my body what I put in my mouth, and this is as close as possible to what I’d be comfortable putting in my mouth. The balm absorbed beautifully without feeling overly greasy, while still leaving behind a subtle protective layer. I can tangibly feel the benefits of using this regularly. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who works with their hands, whether in the kitchen, the garden, the workshop etc. Thanks to the team @ Nina’s Bees! We vote with our dollar and I fully support and vote for anyone who gets behind and supports the bees. Their role in creating and maintaining ecological systems can’t be overstated, and, it’s non-negotiable in my opinion that we must create a fair energetic exchange with little golden angels when harvesting their honey and wax. Nina’s Bees are committed to this exchange through bee rescue and rehoming bees from residential areas. They’re also leading the way in eco-friendly apiary practices which is the best ever. Keep up the awesome work!


Being an office dwelling CEO I wouldn’t have deserved to use this on my “hard working hands,” but after starting to lift heavy this year my hands were back to working hard and actually needed some love, and I actually found myself reaching for this product regularly when I left it on my desk. The skin feel is great and not excessive. The smell, for me, was perfect; didn’t try and overdo it, and actually smells florally, modestly medicinal, which for me attracts me to it. Sticking to their wheelhouse and their [beekeeping] guns, and despite being (and awesomely being) small-scale production, the ethical stance made me connect to the project of low intervention and sustainable beekeeping that goes beyond the greenwashing. And the extra contribution of providing rescue and rehoming of hives from the public is exactly what I want to see in social contribution, so much better than when a biz gives money away to causes that don’t align with the core product.


Nina’s Bees really do the hard work, a balm that acts exactly as promised. It’s deeply moisturising without feeling heavy, and the botanical formula feels considered and clean from the first application. For a men’s hand care product, the packaging is sleek and unfussy, which gets the positioning right. The beekeeping philosophy here is what sets Nina’s Bees apart entirely. Low intervention, no pesticides, no queen excluders, letting the colony regulate naturally and harvesting only what the bees can spare. That kind of ethical relationship with the source ingredient is rare, and it makes everything else the brand stands for feel completely authentic.

Hard Working Hands Balm – Nina’s Bees
$40.00
Review When I first picked up Nina’s Bees Hardworking Hands Balm, one of the first things I appreciated was its size. The tin fits perfectly into my pocket, my chef’s knife kit, or the centre console of my car, which is important because I’m constantly on the move between catering jobs, wellness retreats, and events. As a wholefoods chef, my hands get a serious workout every day from moving between heat, cold, salt, citrus, and hours of hands-on food preparation. As soon as I applied this balm, my hands let me know that this is what they had been craving for quite some time. I particularly love that it’s made with simple, natural ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil and beeswax. I stubbornly try to only put on my body what I put in my mouth, and this is as close as possible to what I’d be comfortable putting in my mouth. The balm absorbed beautifully without feeling overly greasy, while still leaving behind a subtle protective layer. I can tangibly feel the benefits of using this regularly. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who works with their hands, whether in the kitchen, the garden, the workshop etc. Thanks to the team @ Nina’s Bees! We vote with our dollar and I fully support and vote for anyone who gets behind and supports the bees. Their role in creating and maintaining ecological systems can’t be overstated, and, it’s non-negotiable in my opinion that we must create a fair energetic exchange with little golden angels when harvesting their honey and wax. Nina’s Bees are committed to this exchange through bee rescue and rehoming bees from residential areas. They’re also leading the way in eco-friendly apiary practices which is the best ever. Keep up the awesome work!

–Simon Favorito

Review Being an office dwelling CEO I wouldn’t have deserved to use this on my “hard working hands,” but after starting to lift heavy this year my hands were back to working hard and actually needed some love, and I actually found myself reaching for this product regularly when I left it on my desk. The skin feel is great and not excessive. The smell, for me, was perfect; didn’t try and overdo it, and actually smells florally, modestly medicinal, which for me attracts me to it. Sticking to their wheelhouse and their [beekeeping] guns, and despite being (and awesomely being) small-scale production, the ethical stance made me connect to the project of low intervention and sustainable beekeeping that goes beyond the greenwashing. And the extra contribution of providing rescue and rehoming of hives from the public is exactly what I want to see in social contribution, so much better than when a biz gives money away to causes that don’t align with the core product.

–Mason Taylor

Review Nina’s Bees really do the hard work, a balm that acts exactly as promised. It’s deeply moisturising without feeling heavy, and the botanical formula feels considered and clean from the first application. For a men’s hand care product, the packaging is sleek and unfussy, which gets the positioning right. The beekeeping philosophy here is what sets Nina’s Bees apart entirely. Low intervention, no pesticides, no queen excluders, letting the colony regulate naturally and harvesting only what the bees can spare. That kind of ethical relationship with the source ingredient is rare, and it makes everything else the brand stands for feel completely authentic.

–Cole Dickson

A rich, protective balm for dry, overworked hands. Formulated with botanical oils, beeswax and plant extracts, it nourishes, softens and supports skin comfort while forming a breathable barrier against environmental stress.
$40.00
Review When I first picked up Nina’s Bees Hardworking Hands Balm, one of the first things I appreciated was its size. The tin fits perfectly into my pocket, my chef’s knife kit, or the centre console of my car, which is important because I’m constantly on the move between catering jobs, wellness retreats, and events. As a wholefoods chef, my hands get a serious workout every day from moving between heat, cold, salt, citrus, and hours of hands-on food preparation. As soon as I applied this balm, my hands let me know that this is what they had been craving for quite some time. I particularly love that it’s made with simple, natural ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil and beeswax. I stubbornly try to only put on my body what I put in my mouth, and this is as close as possible to what I’d be comfortable putting in my mouth. The balm absorbed beautifully without feeling overly greasy, while still leaving behind a subtle protective layer. I can tangibly feel the benefits of using this regularly. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who works with their hands, whether in the kitchen, the garden, the workshop etc. Thanks to the team @ Nina’s Bees! We vote with our dollar and I fully support and vote for anyone who gets behind and supports the bees. Their role in creating and maintaining ecological systems can’t be overstated, and, it’s non-negotiable in my opinion that we must create a fair energetic exchange with little golden angels when harvesting their honey and wax. Nina’s Bees are committed to this exchange through bee rescue and rehoming bees from residential areas. They’re also leading the way in eco-friendly apiary practices which is the best ever. Keep up the awesome work!

–Simon Favorito

Review Being an office dwelling CEO I wouldn’t have deserved to use this on my “hard working hands,” but after starting to lift heavy this year my hands were back to working hard and actually needed some love, and I actually found myself reaching for this product regularly when I left it on my desk. The skin feel is great and not excessive. The smell, for me, was perfect; didn’t try and overdo it, and actually smells florally, modestly medicinal, which for me attracts me to it. Sticking to their wheelhouse and their [beekeeping] guns, and despite being (and awesomely being) small-scale production, the ethical stance made me connect to the project of low intervention and sustainable beekeeping that goes beyond the greenwashing. And the extra contribution of providing rescue and rehoming of hives from the public is exactly what I want to see in social contribution, so much better than when a biz gives money away to causes that don’t align with the core product.

–Mason Taylor

Review Nina’s Bees really do the hard work, a balm that acts exactly as promised. It’s deeply moisturising without feeling heavy, and the botanical formula feels considered and clean from the first application. For a men’s hand care product, the packaging is sleek and unfussy, which gets the positioning right. The beekeeping philosophy here is what sets Nina’s Bees apart entirely. Low intervention, no pesticides, no queen excluders, letting the colony regulate naturally and harvesting only what the bees can spare. That kind of ethical relationship with the source ingredient is rare, and it makes everything else the brand stands for feel completely authentic.

–Cole Dickson

A rich, protective balm for dry, overworked hands. Formulated with botanical oils, beeswax and plant extracts, it nourishes, softens and supports skin comfort while forming a breathable barrier against environmental stress.
Review When I first picked up Nina’s Bees Hardworking Hands Balm, one of the first things I appreciated was its size. The tin fits perfectly into my pocket, my chef’s knife kit, or the centre console of my car, which is important because I’m constantly on the move between catering jobs, wellness retreats, and events. As a wholefoods chef, my hands get a serious workout every day from moving between heat, cold, salt, citrus, and hours of hands-on food preparation. As soon as I applied this balm, my hands let me know that this is what they had been craving for quite some time. I particularly love that it’s made with simple, natural ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil and beeswax. I stubbornly try to only put on my body what I put in my mouth, and this is as close as possible to what I’d be comfortable putting in my mouth. The balm absorbed beautifully without feeling overly greasy, while still leaving behind a subtle protective layer. I can tangibly feel the benefits of using this regularly. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who works with their hands, whether in the kitchen, the garden, the workshop etc. Thanks to the team @ Nina’s Bees! We vote with our dollar and I fully support and vote for anyone who gets behind and supports the bees. Their role in creating and maintaining ecological systems can’t be overstated, and, it’s non-negotiable in my opinion that we must create a fair energetic exchange with little golden angels when harvesting their honey and wax. Nina’s Bees are committed to this exchange through bee rescue and rehoming bees from residential areas. They’re also leading the way in eco-friendly apiary practices which is the best ever. Keep up the awesome work!

–Simon Favorito

Review Being an office dwelling CEO I wouldn’t have deserved to use this on my “hard working hands,” but after starting to lift heavy this year my hands were back to working hard and actually needed some love, and I actually found myself reaching for this product regularly when I left it on my desk. The skin feel is great and not excessive. The smell, for me, was perfect; didn’t try and overdo it, and actually smells florally, modestly medicinal, which for me attracts me to it. Sticking to their wheelhouse and their [beekeeping] guns, and despite being (and awesomely being) small-scale production, the ethical stance made me connect to the project of low intervention and sustainable beekeeping that goes beyond the greenwashing. And the extra contribution of providing rescue and rehoming of hives from the public is exactly what I want to see in social contribution, so much better than when a biz gives money away to causes that don’t align with the core product.

–Mason Taylor

Review Nina’s Bees really do the hard work, a balm that acts exactly as promised. It’s deeply moisturising without feeling heavy, and the botanical formula feels considered and clean from the first application. For a men’s hand care product, the packaging is sleek and unfussy, which gets the positioning right. The beekeeping philosophy here is what sets Nina’s Bees apart entirely. Low intervention, no pesticides, no queen excluders, letting the colony regulate naturally and harvesting only what the bees can spare. That kind of ethical relationship with the source ingredient is rare, and it makes everything else the brand stands for feel completely authentic.

–Cole Dickson

Hard Working Hands Balm – Nina’s Bees
A rich, protective balm for dry, overworked hands. Formulated with botanical oils, beeswax and plant extracts, it nourishes, softens and supports skin comfort while forming a breathable barrier against environmental stress.
Review When I first picked up Nina’s Bees Hardworking Hands Balm, one of the first things I appreciated was its size. The tin fits perfectly into my pocket, my chef’s knife kit, or the centre console of my car, which is important because I’m constantly on the move between catering jobs, wellness retreats, and events. As a wholefoods chef, my hands get a serious workout every day from moving between heat, cold, salt, citrus, and hours of hands-on food preparation. As soon as I applied this balm, my hands let me know that this is what they had been craving for quite some time. I particularly love that it’s made with simple, natural ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil and beeswax. I stubbornly try to only put on my body what I put in my mouth, and this is as close as possible to what I’d be comfortable putting in my mouth. The balm absorbed beautifully without feeling overly greasy, while still leaving behind a subtle protective layer. I can tangibly feel the benefits of using this regularly. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who works with their hands, whether in the kitchen, the garden, the workshop etc. Thanks to the team @ Nina’s Bees! We vote with our dollar and I fully support and vote for anyone who gets behind and supports the bees. Their role in creating and maintaining ecological systems can’t be overstated, and, it’s non-negotiable in my opinion that we must create a fair energetic exchange with little golden angels when harvesting their honey and wax. Nina’s Bees are committed to this exchange through bee rescue and rehoming bees from residential areas. They’re also leading the way in eco-friendly apiary practices which is the best ever. Keep up the awesome work!

–Simon Favorito

Review Being an office dwelling CEO I wouldn’t have deserved to use this on my “hard working hands,” but after starting to lift heavy this year my hands were back to working hard and actually needed some love, and I actually found myself reaching for this product regularly when I left it on my desk. The skin feel is great and not excessive. The smell, for me, was perfect; didn’t try and overdo it, and actually smells florally, modestly medicinal, which for me attracts me to it. Sticking to their wheelhouse and their [beekeeping] guns, and despite being (and awesomely being) small-scale production, the ethical stance made me connect to the project of low intervention and sustainable beekeeping that goes beyond the greenwashing. And the extra contribution of providing rescue and rehoming of hives from the public is exactly what I want to see in social contribution, so much better than when a biz gives money away to causes that don’t align with the core product.

–Mason Taylor

Review Nina’s Bees really do the hard work, a balm that acts exactly as promised. It’s deeply moisturising without feeling heavy, and the botanical formula feels considered and clean from the first application. For a men’s hand care product, the packaging is sleek and unfussy, which gets the positioning right. The beekeeping philosophy here is what sets Nina’s Bees apart entirely. Low intervention, no pesticides, no queen excluders, letting the colony regulate naturally and harvesting only what the bees can spare. That kind of ethical relationship with the source ingredient is rare, and it makes everything else the brand stands for feel completely authentic.

–Cole Dickson

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