The beauty industry is teeming with buzzwords emerging from ever-changing demands and preferences of consumers. There was “green beauty” in the year 2000s, then “clean beauty” took over recently.
Consumers looking for skincare and cosmetics made with ethically-sourced ingredients that do not harm humans and the environment need only to look for the “clean beauty” tag. Do note that there is currently no formal regulation of “clean beauty” or which products can claim such tag.
As the world grapples with the pandemic, ethical choices that are good for all are prioritized in purchasing and consuming products. Rising movement, “conscious beauty” pushes brands to be transparent with how they manufacture their products, from concept to packaging to recycling efforts.
Conscious beauty is not a novel concept for Burt’s Bees. Founded in the 1980s by Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby after leaving behind the city life to pursue a life in the wilderness, the personal care products brand describes itself as “Earth friendly”.
“Even before ‘conscious beauty’ became a buzzword, Burt’s Bees has been doing it,” Daye Delos Reyes, brand manager for Burt’s Bees Southeast Asia, said in an event Tatler’s Mia Borromeo hosted via Zoom.
Delos Reyes said the buzzword was embedded in its brand values – “Our ingredients are from nature, we have responsible sourcing, we have recyclable packaging, and no animal testing.”
“Apart from being good for your skin, it is actually good for the planet,” she added.
Popular for its lip balms made with natural beeswax, Burt’s Bees offers a detailed list of ingredients with percentage of natural origins in its packaging. Speaking of packaging, the brand says those used for its lip balms and lip shimmers are cellophane-free.
“In essence, Burt’s Bees has been making products that are kind to the skin and planet for a full-circle clean – from source to disposal – for over 30 years now,” she said.
According to Dr. Jennie Francisco-Diaz, a fellow at the Philippine Dermatological Society and medical director and founder of Skin 101, the brand owes the popularity of its lip balms to their natural ingredients.
The brand takes pride in using natural, responsibly sourced ingredients and formulations that do away with parabens, phthalates, petroleum, or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
In addition to the bestselling lip balms are other lip care products that target different needs.
The Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment hydrates with 100 percent natural emollients, waxes, and oil, and restores and repairs with ceramide-rich formula that supports skin’s barrier; the Conditioning Lip Scrub’s honey crystals and beeswax exfoliate and nourish; while the Tinted Lip Balm provides natural color on the lips while delivering eight-hour moisturization.
The brand also has an extensive Sensitive skin care line that received the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Society. Products include Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser, Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes with Cotton Extracts, Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Towelettes with Aloe, Burt’s Bees Sensitive Eye Cream, Burt’s Bee Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream, and Burt’s Bees Sensitive Night Cream.
Burt’s Bees was one of the brands specialty personal care retailer Beauty Bar first offered when it started.
“Burt’s Bees has been with Beauty Bar since day 1, over 20 years already,” enthused Reena Rosario, Beauty Bar merchandise group manager. “Burt’s Bees espouses conscious beauty back then. They were considered a sort of an indie brand, one of the reasons we’re drawn to it. Brands that we can trust has compelling stories, integrity, and values we can share.”
