Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees was founded in 1984 by beekeeper Burt Shavitz and artist Roxanne Quimby in Maine, starting with beeswax candles before expanding into personal care. The brand was acquired by Clorox Company in 2007 for approximately $925 million. Burt's Bees positions itself as a natural personal care brand and uses beeswax, plant oils, and botanical extracts as core ingredients in most formulas. While their ingredient profiles are generally cleaner than many mainstream competitors, some products still contain ingredients of concern like fragrances, certain preservatives, and chemical UV filters. The brand's widespread popularity has made it a gateway for consumers exploring cleaner lip care options.
Products Analyzed
Flagged Ingredients Found
Who Owns Burt's Bees?
Big Corp SubsidiaryParent Company
The Clorox Company(CLX)
Parent Industry
Household Cleaning & Consumer Products
Parent Revenue
Approximately $7.1 billion (2024)
Acquired
2007 for Approximately $925 million
Also Makes
The Clorox Company acquired Burt's Bees in 2007. While Burt's Bees operates as a distinct brand unit, its parent company is primarily known for bleach, disinfectants, and household cleaning chemicals.
Corporate ownership does not automatically mean a product is unsafe. It means ingredient and sourcing decisions are influenced by a parent company whose primary business is household cleaning & consumer products. Consumers deserve to know who profits from their purchases.
Products by Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
Burt's Bees
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Organic Lip Balm
Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm
Burt's Bees
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Organic Lip Balm
Burt's Bees Vanilla Bean
Burt's Bees
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Organic Lip Balm
Burt's Bees Cucumber Mint
Burt's Bees
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Organic Lip Balm
Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning with Kokum Butter
Burt's Bees
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Organic Lip Balm
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Flagged Ingredients in Burt's Bees Products
We found 2 different ingredients of concern across Burt's Bees's product line. Each one links to a full safety analysis with details on health risks, regulatory status, and which other brands use the same ingredient.
Artificial Colors
Synthetic dyes derived from petroleum or coal tar, used to give cosmetics vivid colors. Many are contaminated with heavy metals and have been linked to behavioral issues, allergies, and potential carcinogenicity.
Lanolin
A natural waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep to waterproof their wool. Lanolin is an excellent emollient used in lip balms, nipple creams, and moisturizers, but it is a common allergen and may contain pesticide residues from sheep dipping.
