The story of Burt's Bees
The company Burt's Bees was founded in the US in the mid-'80s. The company has a very cute back story about a couple. Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby, that left the big city, moving from San Francisco to rural Maine. Burt rescued an old beehive and embarked on a mission to make honey to sell.
Burt's gut instinct told him to save the beeswax that was produced from the hive, thinking it could be useful. He started out making candles but in 1991 he hit the winning formula that was lip balm .
Burt and Roxanne were huge advocates of living a downsized natural existence and believed in using natural products that are not harmful to the environment. All the Burt's Bees products are made ethically. They endeavour to use 100% natural ingredients and limit plastic package, which is fully recyclable with the TerraCycle recycling service.
Burt certainly practiced what he preached. In the spirit of downsizing, Burt re-commissioned a dis-used Turkey coop into a cosy cabin. This now sits outside the Burt's Bees HQ to stand as a symbol to educate visitors about the environmental benefits of living with less.
The Burt's Bees Product Range
What started out as lip balms quickly grew into an extensive product range. You can now buy Lip Balms, Lip Colours/Shimmer, Cosmetics, Skin Care and Burt's Bees Baby Range.
The quintessential product that they are most famous for is the Burt's Bees 100% Natural Origin Moisturising Lip Balm
If you sign up for their emails you can receive a 15% discount on your first order. They will also give you early access to exclusive treats, new product launches, and new content.
Ingredients from 95% natural origins.
Burt's Bees are a company that pride themselves on only using ingredients of natural origins and here are a small selection of the wonderful ingredients they use.
- Beeswax
- Honey
- Almond
- Aloe Vera
- Lavender
- Cocoa Butter
- Buttermilk
- Clary Sage
Free-from harmful additives.
There are lots of chemicals used in cosmetics and skincare products and they can be harmful to you and the environment. Always think that what you apply to your skin absorbs into your body. Burt's Bees do not use the following chemicals in their products.
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Petrolatum
- Sodium Laurel Sulphate
What makes Honey and Beeswax so special?
Beeswax is a natural byproduct from the honeybee, they build the honeycomb to store the honey and provide a living environment for the bees. It is discharged from special wax glands, and it is so special because it has very high antibacterial properties that make it incredibly healing.
Beeswax is highly moisturising yet still allows your skin to breathe, due to its anti-bacterial properties it can aid skin infections, swelling, bruises, inflammation, and burns. It also protects from external irritants as it acts as a protective barrier.
Honey is well known for its healing properties due to it being a fantastic source of polyphenols that have been shown to prevent many chronic conditions such as diabetes, dementia, heart disease, and even certain cancers.
Honey and beeswax are two things that we can all do benefit from in our diet and skincare routine, as they are naturally moisturising and full of antioxidants that we can all benefit from. By using natural based products, you are also helping the environment.
What is TerraCycle?
TerraCycle is an organisation that helps companies recycle their waste. Conscientious companies sign up and provide locations or pre-paid envelopes to return empty packaging to. Burt's Bees are one of the companies that have joined this scheme.
