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If you’re wondering, “Is Burt’s Bees cruelty-free?” you’ve come to the right place. At Conscious Bunny, we’re dedicated to providing thorough and reliable information about various brands. We research whether Burt’s Bees is cruelty-free, vegan, clean, and conscious. Additionally, we examine if a brand is sustainable, contributes to the community, and considers allergens in its products.
The world of cruelty-free, vegan, and clean beauty can be complex. With so many unregulated terms and labels, it can be challenging to know what to trust. Our mission is to make it easier for you by providing clear, fact-based insights. We delve into the details so you can make informed choices with confidence.
By relying on our comprehensive research, you can be sure you’re supporting brands aligning with your values. We believe in transparency and aim to empower you with the knowledge you need to choose products that are genuinely cruelty-free and conscious.
Is Burt’s Bees Cruelty-Free?
Yes, Burt’s Bees is cruelty-free and does not test its products on animals nor do they ask others to do so on their behalf.
Is Burt’s Bees Owned By A Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Burt’s Bees is owned by The Clorox Company, a corporation that is NOT cruelty-free because they allow their other brands to test on animals.
In the beauty industry, brands are often owned by larger parent companies like L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, or Procter & Gamble, many of which conduct animal testing to some extent.
While most parent companies are not cruelty-free, some of the brands they own adhere to strict policies against animal testing. This means that brands under these parent companies are still cruelty-free.
However, this gives you as a consumer two choices: You can choose not to support these brands because they’re part of a bigger, animal-testing parent company, or you can choose to support them because they are 100% cruelty-free even though their parent company is not.
We personally believe that since these brands operate independently from the parent company, you can support them as they’re cruelty-free. However, a small group of shoppers choose to boycott brands owned by a parent company that tests on animals.
We don’t mind which option you choose; we want to make it easy for all our readers. That’s why we decided to mention whether or not a parent company is involved.
Is Burt’s Bees Cruelty-Free Certified?
Burt’s Bees is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and PETA.
Companies can be fully cruelty-free without being certified, but certifications are a good indicator of their ethical practices. The most trusted organizations that give out certifications are PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Is Burt’s Bees Sold Where Animal Testing Is Required By Law?
Burt’s Bees is not sold where animal testing is required by law. However, they’re part of the Leaping Bunny China Qualification Program and have confirmed that it only sells general cosmetics in China under the supervision of Leaping Bunny’s standards.
In countries like China, certain cosmetic products may be subject to mandatory animal testing regulations. If a brand wants to sell its products in physical stores in China, it has to comply with these regulations, where animal testing may occur.
Starting in 2023, brands can enter the Chinese market without funding animal cruelty. However, not every brand may qualify. Certain ingredients, products, and claims may still trigger animal tests during the registration process, and post-market testing involving animals, while rare, is still a possibility.
To avoid animal testing in China, companies must meet specific criteria:
- Sell only ‘general’ cosmetics in China (such as makeup, skincare, haircare, nail polish, and perfumes).
- Avoid selling ‘special’ cosmetics like sunscreens or hair dye.
- Refrain from selling products for infants, children, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or products containing ‘New Cosmetic Ingredients.’
- Have a policy in place to recall products if post-market testing is required, rather than allowing them to be tested on animals.
Furthermore, products can avoid animal testing in China if they are manufactured in China or if their final assembly occurs in China. If manufactured outside of China, companies must obtain the proper safety certificates from their country of origin.
Brands that have been selling in China must ensure that all their products meet the exemption criteria while providing the proper safety certificates from specific authorities. This means that many brands currently sold in China may not yet be entirely cruelty-free.
It’s essential to note that while China is gradually relaxing its animal testing laws, it does not mean that all brands sold in China are now cruelty-free. While this phase may raise questions, brands selling in China no longer have to be an immediate no-no for cruelty-free shoppers.
To provide shoppers with extra assurance, Leaping Bunny offers the China Qualification Program, which you can check before purchasing. This program ensures that Leaping Bunny-certified companies selling domestically in China remain cruelty-free.
Is Burt’s Bees Vegan?
Burt’s Bees is not 100% vegan, meaning that some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients.
A company can have vegan products even if not all their products are vegan. If all their products are vegan, the brand is considered “100% vegan.”
Several organizations, similar to PETA and Leaping Bunny, offer vegan certifications to help you identify vegan brands. For example, Vegan Action, The Vegan Society, and The Vegetarian Society provide a Vegan Trademark to companies that use no animal-derived ingredients.
Check out our 100% Vegan Beauty Brands A-Z list, or use our free Vegan Ingredient Checker to determine whether a specific product contains animal-derived ingredients.
Is Burt’s Bees Clean?
Yes, Burt’s Bees is considered a clean beauty brand. All their products are over 95% natural origin, without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
The term “clean beauty” is controversial because it isn’t regulated; this means that brands can label their products as ‘clean,’ ‘green,’ ‘organic,’ and ‘natural’ without strict guidelines.
For us, clean beauty means choosing products made without ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances that have been shown or even suspected to harm human health, animal health, or the environment.
Check out our Clean Beauty Brands A-Z list, or use our free Clean Ingredients Checker to determine whether a specific product contains toxic ingredients.
Allergens In Beauty Products
Besides letting you know whether a product contains harmful ingredients, we also understand that living with allergies can be tough. That’s why we discuss whether the brand contains any allergens in its products, helping you make informed decisions that suit your individual needs and preferences.
*The information provided is not medical advice. For any health concerns, please consult with your doctor before using the products.
Is Burt’s Bees Fragrance-Free?
Burt’s Bees is not fragrance-free. The majority of fragrances in Burt’s Bees products are natural, composed of proprietary blends of essential oils and natural extracts. Some of their heritage and other products contain partially synthetic fragrances.
Is Burt’s Bees Paraben-Free?
Burt’s Bees is paraben-free. All their products are formulated without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
Is Burt’s Bees Gluten-Free?
No, Burt’s Bees is not gluten-free. Its products may have been manufactured on a shared line with products containing gluten, or the raw materials used in the products may have been processed in a facility that processes products containing gluten.
Is Burt’s Bees Nut-Free?
No, Burt’s Bees is not nut-free. Its products may have been manufactured on a shared line with products containing raw materials used in the products, which may have been processed in a facility that also processes products containing nuts.
Is Burt’s Bees Soy-Free?
No, Burt’s Bees is not soy-free. Its products may have been manufactured on a shared line with products containing raw materials used in the products, which may have been processed in a facility that also processes products containing soy.
Is Burt’s Bees Conscious?
At Conscious Bunny, we’re all about supporting brands that do good. We believe that brands who are conscious show this with their actions in environmental sustainability, ethical sourcing, social responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
For those of us who care about making conscious choices, we’ve done our homework on these topics. We’ve answered the big questions to help you pick products that match your values.
Burt’s Bees is conscious. This is based on the following:
Where Is Burt’s Bees Made?
Burt’s Bees is located in North Carolina, USA, where production, packing, and distribution occur.
Is Burt’s Bees Sustainable?
Burt’s Bees is committed to sustainability. They show this through their packaging, which is recyclable curbside or through TerraCycle. They use recycled materials and choose easily recycled plastics.
In addition, since 2010, they’ve kept all of their operational waste out of landfills, diverting it to compost bins, recycling centers, or waste-to-energy facilities.
Is Burt’s Bees Socially Responsible?
Yes, Burt’s Bees is socially responsible. Burt’s Bees sources hundreds of ingredients from around the world, and communities of growers and makers are at the heart of the natural ingredient supply chain. They’re dedicated to improving livelihoods and sourcing practices across their supply chain. Here’s a snapshot of their progress in this goal (2020-2025) period.
- 98% natural origin*** minimum across all products launched during the goal period;
- 127 ingredient site visits in 25 countries since the beginning of their Responsible Sourcing Program in 2010;
- 17 ingredient-sourcing community partnerships to safeguard access to clean water, support women’s and children’s empowerment, and promote health, safety, and biodiversity;
- 40,000+ livelihoods supported through their Global Supply Chain Investment Program, responsible sourcing assessments, and third-party audits.
They’ve also supported 60,000 beehives in California almond orchards through their Water for Bees& Seeds for Bees™ partnership. Read more about it and feed the bees in your backyard with a DIY pollinator garden.
Is Burt’s Bees B Corp Certified?
Burt’s Bees is not B Corp Certified. However, a brand can still be conscious without this certification.
When a brand earns B Corp certification, it pledges to consider everyone impacted by its decisions, beyond just its owners. This entails workers, the communities in which they operate, suppliers, consumers, and the environment. This certification can reassure consumers, emphasizing the brand’s dedication to considering the broader impact of its decisions.
Thank You For Being Here!
I hope that this post answered all your questions about Burt’s Bees. If not, please feel free to leave a comment below or reach out through the contact form. I’m more than happy to help!
Thank you for being here because it means that you are interested in cruelty-free beauty and are educating yourself about this subject. If you’re willing to learn even more, here are some of the resources we provide to help you on your journey: