Frequently Asked Questions

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Questions About Our Products

Where can I find more information about your products?

Right here on our site is the best place! Each product page contains in-depth information about that product and a link to an ingredients list. Or for the bigger picture, visit the Our Values section to learn more about how we make our products, how we define the term "natural" and more on recyclable packaging, animal testing and how we are committed to The Greater Good.

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What products have you discontinued and why?

We're always pursuing new innovations with real benefits for your hair and skin even when it means we have to make some difficult decisions about continuing our current products. Over the years, some products have been discontinued.

Here is the latest list of products that are discontinued:

  • Wild Lettuce Toner, Wild Lettuce Soap
  • Peppermint Breath Drops
  • Herbal Defense Ointment
  • Herbal Treatment Shampoo
  • Color Cosmetics and Makeup product line (also known as Wings of Love), including:
    • Lipstick (all colors)
    • Tinted Moisturizer (all colors)
    • Vanishing Facial Powder, Vanishing Facial Powder Tissues
    • Blushing Crème (or blushing cream)
    • Eye Shadow
    • Eyebrow and Eye liner Pencil
    • Lip liner Pencil
    • Concealing Crème

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Why did you discontinue your cosmetics (makeup) line

We understand that our cosmetics were historically popular with our consumers and offered a "natural" skin-curing alternative to cosmetics currently in the marketplace. Please know that discontinuing this line was a difficult decision for us.

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Are your products hypoallergenic?

There is no defined methodology to test for allergic reactions in beauty or personal care products, nor does the FDA regulate use of the term "hypoallergenic." Consequently, we do not position our products as hypoallergenic. A list of ingredients for each product is available on individual product information pages on this site.

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Are your products non-comedogenic?

This term refers to ingredients in beauty products that clog the pores and can cause blackheads, pimples or cosmetic-related acne. We use beeswax, plant oils and iron oxides instead of potentially comedogenic, non-natural ingredients like mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin and red dyes that are commonly found in other personal care products and cosmetics.

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I am concerned that I may have had a reaction to one of your products. What do I do?

If you are concerned that you may have a reaction or did have a reaction to one of our products, please contact our Health and Safety line at 1-888-796-7799. In the case of life-threatening emergencies, please dial 911, call your health care provider and/or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

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I am chemically sensitive. What are the pH values of your products and what products I can use?

Burt's Bees products are recommended for all skin types, even sensitive skin. As the pH values of our products are proprietary and confidential, we are unable to give out this information.

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Are your products safe for pregnant women to use?

We recommend that any expectant mother check with her physician before changing her skin care routine with our products, or any other line of products.

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I am a Vegan. What products can I use?

Many of our products are vegan. We recommend reviewing the product ingredients list on the label for the most up-to-date information. If you have a specific product question, please contact us and we would be happy to assist you.

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I am gluten-restricted and am interested in gluten free products. What products are appropriate for my use?

Please contact us directly regarding any specific products that may contain gluten.

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Are any of your products certified organic?

At Burt's Bees, we believe that a personal care product that there is an important distinction between natural and organic. We are striving to meet 100% natural on our products instead of 100% organic because we feel the organic standards for personal care products leave too much room for interpretation.

The standards and requirements that currently exist for organic products require that only 70% of the product is made with certified organic ingredients. The issue is with the remaining 30% of the product. This remaining 30% could include synthetic ingredients.

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How long will my Burt's Bees products stay fresh and what is the best way to store them?

Burt's Bees products are made with natural ingredients. We purposely present our products in smaller portions so you finish them while their ingredients are still fresh and providing their maximum effectiveness.

As such, we recommend you store creams and oils in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Creams may be stored in their cartons for extra protection.

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How do I determine the expiration date of a particular product?

Thank you for your interest in the shelf life of our products. Because our products are made with natural ingredients, we are unable to provide an expiration date. Instead, we provide lot code numbers that are printed in directly onto the product.

  • If the product is a glass jar, the lot code is located towards the bottom on the side of the glass or on the very bottom. In the case of products in tubes, the lot code is imprinted in the plastic on the crimp of the tube. If it is a lip product, the lot code is located either on the label or under the twist mechanism.
  • The lot code is six to seven digits long and starts with a 0, 1, 2 or 3. To read the lot code, the first three numbers are the day of the year the product was made (aka Julian Date). The next two digits are the year, and the last two digits are a batch number that we use internally for identification. For example, a lot code of 0400901 translates to the product being made on February 9, 2009 and is from Batch Number 1.

Our products should be in good quality condition for 3 years. We recommend that our products are used within 12 months after opening since they are natural products. This includes keeping them out of extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. In general, any difference in texture or consistency of one of our products is often associated with it being a natural product. If you are unsure if your product is still of good quality, please contact us and provide further information on the product consistency, smell and texture.

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Do you offer any of your products in larger sizes?

At this time, we do not offer larger sizes of our products. We purposely present our products in smaller portions so you finish the product while its ingredients are still fresh and providing their maximum effectiveness.

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Why do you use aluminum packaging for some of your products?

We use aluminum packaging because it can be recycled efficiently in most communities, along with your soda and beer cans. Our aluminum containers are lined with a material that prevents the product from penetrating and dissolving the aluminum.

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Where are Burt's Bees products made?

Over 95% of our products are made right in our own manufacturing plant in Durham, NC. The rest are made by other respectable American manufacturers.

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Help, I forgot to remove my lip balm from my pocket before doing my wash!

Here are few suggestions for removing lip balm from clothing that has gone through the wash and dry cycles:

  • Soak clothing in boiling water with detergent. Repeat until the stain is removed.
  • Turn washing machine to the highest heat setting and wash with detergent.
  • If these attempts fail to remove stains, try commercial stain-removers or an Earth-friendly dry cleaner.

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Do you honor the lip balm tube recycling program?

Unfortunately, we no longer honor the lip balm recycling program. The program was meant to promote recycling and Green living, but the lip balms we received in the mail were often over-packaged with bubble wrap and excessive taping. Instead of succeeding as a positive Earth-friendly effort, the program was creating un-recyclable trash. We regret that we have had to phase out this program, but hope that you will continue that recycling effort on your own.

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Are your products safe for pets?

Our products are made from natural ingredients. However, we have never tested our products on animals, and our products are not meant for consumption. If you have concerns about using a product on your pet or if you have a pet that has ingested a product, please contact your veterinarian.

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Do you test on animals and do your products contain animal-derived ingredients?

Burt's Bees does NOT conduct product or ingredient tests of any kind on animals. A few of our products contain ingredients derived from animals such as beeswax, royal jelly, milk and carmine.

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I am allergic to bees. Can I still use your products?

We do not use actual bee venom in our products – only bee by products such as honey, beeswax, royal jelly and honey powder. However, if you are allergic to bee by products, then we do not suggest using our products. We recommend that you contact your health care provider when changing your skin care regimen to find out which products are best for you.

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Are Burt's Bees products different from other "natural" products like those found in other personal care lines?

Yes! The term "natural" is used very loosely today, especially about personal care products. Many companies use petroleum-based ingredients, like mineral oil, chemical additives and preservatives, but call their products "natural" because they add a few botanical extracts. Burt's Bees is different. We do not use cheap fillers, mineral oil or chemical preservatives.

We also list a percentage natural for every product we make. We don't need to hide behind false claims. Instead, we stand behind our ingredients and our products.

Visit Our Values to learn more about what "natural" is — and what it isn't.

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I heard that the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics did a study on lead in lipsticks. Should I be concerned?

A recent report from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found trace elements of lead in a Burt’s Bees Merlot Lip Shimmer. As a long-time supporter of the organization, whose work along with ours is always in line with consumers’ best interest, we not only applaud, but support their efforts. To date, we reviewed the supplied test methodology and results from the study. Please be assured that consumer safety remains Burt's Bees highest priority and as such, Burt’s Bees ensures that all of our products adhere to the FDA's guidelines for product safety.

While our products are deemed safe and our suppliers currently test to ensure FDA guidelines are met, as a result of the study findings we are meeting directly with our suppliers to find ways to identify, minimize and even eliminate trace elements of lead from our natural mineral sources. The minerals we use in our formulas to impart color come from the earth. All minerals that come from the earth have the potential to contain trace elements of lead. Traces of lead can be found elsewhere and broadly in the environment including tap and well waters. In fact, John Bailey, EVP for Sciences for the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, quantifies the environmental levels of lead in a statement: ‘The average amount of lead a woman would be exposed to when using cosmetics is 1,000 times less than the amount she would get from eating, breathing and drinking water that meets the Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards.’ At Burt’s Bees, our consumers’ well-being and safety is of the utmost importance to us and we will continue to address these recent findings by working to identify, minimize and even eliminate trace elements of lead from our products.

 

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