Burt's Bees: My Review of Their Earth-Friendly Products for the Whole Family

Catherine is a proponent for responsible stewardship of our natural resources and covers topics of plant life and sustainable living.

My cat loves smelling my face when I lean in to nuzzle her and give her a kiss. I know it's the natural peppermint essence in my Burt's Bee's lip balm! It may be a great olfactory stimulation for her, but it's even better as a refreshing soother for my chapped lips.

The peppermint oil in this lip balm is so invigorating that it spurred a thing called "beezin," where teens would apply it to the eyelids for a natural high. This is not a good idea, as this could cause serious eye infection or inflammation! Burt professed that lip balm is for lips and preferred to see it used that way! There is no denying, though, that these essences are the real thing. The original beeswax balm with peppermint is the best for long-lasting protection against chapped lips, but there is also a wide range of moisturizing formulas. Pomegranate, pink grapefruit, eucalyptus, mango, acai berry, vanilla, wild cherry, and even blueberry/dark chocolate are each wonderfully soothing and delicious!

All Natural. No Animal Testing.

Burt's Bees makes skincare formulas, lip balms, and other beauty products from ingredients found in nature: beeswax, botanical extracts, herbs, and minerals. There is nothing artificial added. Burt's Bees uses a few animal by-products like milk, beeswax, and royal jelly- that's all. No animals are harmed, and none are used for testing of any kind. There are also no petroleum products, no rendered animal fats, nor harsh chemicals used. Burt's Bees produces the most affordable earth-friendly products available on the market today, and they can be easily spotted in attractive golden-yellow displays everywhere. Products can also be conveniently ordered from Burt's Bees.

Packaging Is Recycled and Recyclable

All packaging is both recycled and recyclable. Even the lip-balm tubes are made of recycled plastic! Packaging is thoughtfully designed to hold just enough product for the average consumer to use before the expiration date. This helps control waste by keeping unused product from the landfills. All packaging is comprised of at least 50% post-consumer content, and most carry the Natural Seal which was developed in 2008. To meet this standard, the product must be 99% natural.

A Thoughtful Gift Changes My Approach to Natural Beauty

My introduction to Burt's Bees came in the way of a travel bag full of trial-sized balms, creams, and lotions. I now regularly refill this bag and tuck it in with my gym paraphernalia. I highly recommend it as a thoughtful gift for those who will be on the road or away from home.

My personal favorites are the replenishing body lotion, lemon cuticle cream, and the tinted lip shimmer. The cupuacu and cocoa butters in the moisturizer work for 24 hours and make a rich and creamy, yet non-greasy, lotion with the pleasant scent of mild chocolate, coconut and pineapple. Loaded with antioxidants, cupuaca is a tropical fruit related to cacao that comes from the Amazon rain forest. The lemon cuticle, applied before bed, keeps finger tips soft and keeps away annoying hangnails. The lip shimmers provide just the right touch of subtle color and shine. They condition my lips much like the traditional lip balms but go a step further by complementing the natural rosy glow of my cheeks unlike the painted look of creamed lipstick and lip-liner.

Burt's Bees' line of products for outdoor enthusiasts come in serene green packaging and include bug repellent and soothers for sunburn, poison ivy, bug bites, muscle aches, and bruises. I recommend the small tin of Dr. Burt's Res-Q Ointment. This healing salve derived from comfrey is a must-have for any first-aid kit!

As the company continues to expand to meet the needs of the whole family, new products are continually being introduced. Natural honey throat lozenges and toiletries for men in handsome black packaging include soap, shaving cream, body wash, and deodorant. Baby-Bee and Mama-Bee products offer safe and natural solutions for sensitive skin, diaper rash, and stretch marks. Burt's Bees also has added a line of organic pima cotton baby clothes, cloths, bibs, and receiving blankets which can be monogrammed. These new offerings and gift sets are perfect for baby showers and Father's Day.

Oral care products include both fresh mint and whitening toothpastes with or without fluoride, a kid's fruit fusion paste, and an activated charcoal whitening powder. All are naturally sweetened w/ stevia and are free of artificial ingredients. The tubes, which don't yet qualify for residential recycling programs, can easily be returned to Burt's Bees for sustainable reuse.

Pet wellness is also of concern to Burt's Bees, and they have developed natural shampoos and soothing skin care products as well as a moisturizing paw and nose butter for dogs.

It All Began as a Cottage Industry

What was started in Maine in 1984 by Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby as a honey- producing company, selling from the back of a pick-up truck, soon became known for its beeswax candles. The fine quality of craftsmanship then led to the production of soaps, lip-balms, and more. Ten years later, Burt's Bees outgrew its facility and moved to North Carolina where it continued to gain exposure through retailers like Whole Foods and Cracker Barrel.

In 1999, Ms. Quimby bought Burt's business share for $130,000, the amount of a house on his beloved land in Maine. In 2004, she sold 80% interest in the company to a private equity firm for 141 million while retaining 20% and title of CEO. When Shavitz voiced his displeasure, Quimby forked over another 4 million, just a fraction of the 59 million he would have gotten had he not settled for the house!

After a few consecutive leadership changes which groomed the company for a takeover, Clorox bought Burt's Bees in November 2013 for a whopping 913 million! While Roxanne received 20% of the sale, Burt got nothing. Known for his dislike of corporate greed and materialism, Shavitz claimed to be content on his land, watching nature, and living simply. He tells his story and shares his views of the sellout in a documentary by Jody Shapiro called Burt's Buzz. Burt Shavitz died at age 80 on July 5, 2015.

Although Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby broke up their partnership, each having had distinctly different views and life goals, the company's new corporate team vows to uphold its founder's tenets of sustainability. Burt's bearded face remains the company's logo, and his estate will get regular royalty payments for the use of his image on all products.

Not only has Burt's Bees remained here in the U.S., the company has continued to maintain a responsible approach to the environment. In addition to choosing only naturally-derived ingredients and recycled packaging, Burt and Roxanne began the practice of using company profits to buy forest land in Maine for the Nature Conservancy. They also reached out to the community through public service announcements to educate others about Colony Collapse Disorder and the importance of bees to agri-business, the economy, and our backyard gardens. Impressive! Few businesses really operate with a genuine social consciousness and care for our planet. In 2007, Burt's Bees formed the Greater Good Foundation which supports many kinds of community and environmental projects. Here is a link to their website: http://www.burtsbees.com/Community-Partnerships/sustain-community,default,pg.html. It gives a broader overview of the company's philanthropy.

There are long-time consumers who feel that Clorox has taken liberties with the original formulations and ruined the quality of Burt's Bees products. The acquisition by Clorox, however, has actually proven to be a good thing.

For Burt's Bees, it has allowed a 50% increase in funds for research and development. The access to greater technology and expertise has brought about improvements in the consistency and moisturizing capabilities of Burt's Bees lotions without compromising the natural ingredients.

Read More From Bellatory

How Much Do You Tip for Microblading?

How Much Do You Tip a Barber

How Much Should You Tip a Lash Tech?

For Clorox, the merger has brought improvements to waste management and sustainability practices. Although a slow process, Clorox has upped these improvements to its overall product portfolio by 35% and stays committed to the goal.

Product Additions

In 2019, Burt's Bees introduced a complete line of makeup including BB cream, pressed powder, eye shadow, blush, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, liquid foundation, makeup removal pads, and facial cleansing towelettes. All products are made from natural ingredients and have received good ratings from the EWG site. These meet the high quality standards of Burt's Bees and are perfect for those concerned with skin health, safe toxicity levels, and good sustainability ethics.

Among these are the "Truly Glowing" skin and eye creams and gels which contain hyaluronic acid, or hyaluronan. This is a naturally occurring skin molecule which draws moisture and binds it to collagen for improved elasticity and a more youthful appearance.

The "Goodness Glows" Miracle Balm is touted as an all purpose treatment for face and body. It is a naturally derived emollient that makes skin feel and appear smoother without greasy residue. It is perfect for rough patches on elbows and dry cuticles and can also be used to tame eyebrows, and smooth lips. With all of the new additions, Burt's Bees can handle one's entire beauty regimen in a safe and healthful way.

Breakthrough Research

Hemali Gunt, PhD, the Head of Clinical and Scientific Affairs at Burt's Bees, presented their latest research findings to the American Academy of Dermatology at their virtual meeting in June 2020.

"At Burt's Bees, we are leveraging data from over 500 rigorous clinical studies that demonstrate the role nature-based regimens play in defending and restoring skin health, including our most recent addition, the Renewal Skin Care line. Our research shared today provides valuable insight into the effectiveness of natural retinol alternative, bakuchiol, to improve the overall skin condition without any signs of irritation for those with sensitive skin."

This optional replacement for retinol is really a huge breakthrough in natural skin care and for those with sensitivities. The increased funding for research and development that came with the 2013 Clorox merger has really paid off.

A Continuing Commitment to a Green Environment

Burt’s Bees and the National Geographic Society are collaborating to reduce the flow of plastic waste into our environment. They donated $10 per Change for Nature pledge for the first 15,000 pledges, for a total donation of $150,000 to help stop the accumulation of microplastics in our watersheds.

Paula Alexander, director of Sustainable Business and Innovation at Burt's Bees, explains. "As a brand founded to connect people to nature, we must protect it. Our packaging includes over 50% PCR content in our plastics, and they are fully recyclable -- either curbside or with TerraCycle. As part of this ongoing commitment, we're pleased to announce that earlier this month, Burt's Bees has signed on to the 'We Are Still In' climate declaration."

I don't need my discriminating cat to sniff out a winner like Burt's Bees although her endorsement just helps me plead my case. There are over 100 products now in production including shampoo and body wash. I recommend the lemon cuticle cream, the peppermint foot rub, and many others. I can assure you of the fine quality, the lovely and true fragrance of the botanical oils, the smart packaging, and the impeccable social and environmental stewardship of Burt's Bees. Oh, did I mention that it's affordable too? Take the time to indulge yourself and feel pretty with nature's best ingredients and don't forget to recycle the containers- yet, again!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Catherine Tally

Comments

Jill Spencer from United States on July 23, 2014:

Oh, that's it . . . a documentary! Nice redo.

Catherine Tally (author) from Los Angeles on July 22, 2014:

Thank you, Jill! Glad you enjoyed learning about their impressive sustainability record. I appreciate the head's up on the company's changes. I did a revamp to bring my hub up-to-date. Please let me know what you think.

All of the best,

Cat :)

Jill Spencer from United States on July 22, 2014:

I love Burt's Bees products, too. Before reading this, I hadn't realized just how earth-friendly Burt's was! Read about Shavitz just the other day. Apparently, he was ousted from the company by his partner. Someone is writing (or perhaps it's already written) a book about him. Interesting read! Voted up & shared.

Catherine Tally (author) from Los Angeles on July 13, 2014:

Thank you, MonisMas! I'm glad you enjoyed this :) I can't get through a day w/o my Burt's Bees lip balm.

Agnes on July 12, 2014:

I love Burt's Bees products. Great hub!

Catherine Tally (author) from Los Angeles on February 28, 2013:

Hello Farah,

Thank you for taking the time to read my article and for leaving your thoughtful comments. I am glad that you can appreciate the benefits of these great products and can get it in Ireland. I wouldn't want to go one day w/o my lip shimmers! :)

Farah on February 28, 2013:

I use this product in Ireland and am quite infatuated with it. I even managed to get all my friends interested. As mentioned in the article the lip shimmers and balms give an amazingly natural touch to the lips and their products defininetly feel good for the skin. Thanks for sharing :)

Catherine Tally (author) from Los Angeles on February 06, 2013:

Hello MoniMas- So glad to find a fellow fan! Thanks so much for stopping by to read and comment.

My best to you,

Cat :)

Agnes on February 06, 2013:

I enjoy Burt's Bees products as well, and I have the peppermint lip balm. It's so refreshing. I actually love to put it on my lips, when I am congested, it helps out! Great hub!

Catherine Tally (author) from Los Angeles on April 17, 2012:

Hi Diane! You're welcome. Thank you for dropping by and commenting.

Diana L Pierce from Potter County, Pa. on April 17, 2012:

This is very interesting. Thank you for telling us about this product.

Demas W Jasper from Today's America and The World Beyond on April 12, 2012:

My company is the exporter with a customer in China. I agree with your added comment.

Catherine Tally (author) from Los Angeles on April 12, 2012:

Hi Perspycacious,

I am impressed with the ethics of Burt's Bees and love to see the continuing success of a cottage industry. Glad to hear that they are exporting their products to China for a change! I really appreciate your stopping by and leaving your thoughtful comment. Thank you!

Demas W Jasper from Today's America and The World Beyond on April 12, 2012:

Good commercial line of products for which we have a customer in China. Can you believe it, Americans exporting to China!? Quality counts. Good Hub.