If you’re seeking an affordable gifting option in the skincare and beauty category, either for the self or for someone on your list, Burt’s Bees makes an excellent and all natural set that may be the perfect option, and it’s less than $10.
It’s no surprise to see this tops bestseller lists for sets and gifting options in the category on several major e-commerce sites, and typically gets rave reviews. It’s versatile, offers a range of products to try out, easy to travel with, and uses all natural and high-quality ingredients, all at a very affordable price point.
Prior to testing out this set I hadn’t used Burt’s Bees since childhood, so it was equal parts rewarding and nostalgic. We think of it as quite a staple product, found in every drug store, but I had actually only considered purchasing the lip balm product before, but in reading reviews about the ingredients used in the body products, I was easily convinced it would make a great purchase at a low cost and is also very suitable for sensitive skin.
The set comes with .75-1oz sizes and includes the Coconut Foot Cream, Beeswax hand salve, Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream, Milk and Honey Body Lotion, and Beeswax Lip Balm. At under $10, it makes for a low risk investment if you’re trying out the products for the first time, if you already enjoy the products and want variety, or if you’re looking for a reasonably priced stocking-stuffer type gift.
The products are made from high quality and naturally based ingredients, many that you would find in products at much higher price points (such as chamomile, aloe, and Vitamin E).
The products are also all safe and suitable for all skin types, and are especially soothing to sensitive skin. It is important to note I did feel some of the products were more suitable for dry skin, as they were a bit heavy. The frequent problem many of us with sensitive or very dry skin experience with products at lower price points is often skin reactivity and irritation, as many drug store formulations contain ingredients that can trigger breakouts and be difficult for all skin types to use with any efficacy. Burt’s Bees offers a solution to this problem with their formulations and this set.
This review will cover smaller, brief reviews on all of the included products, as well as some background in terms of positives and negatives. Overall, I would score the set high in value and effectiveness, and recommend it as a gifting option or as a lower cost alternative to skincare, particularly for sensitive types. While this is the general set option and suitable for men and women, it’s important to denote if you’re in search of a specific gift unique to a recipient, there are also options for men’s sets, and even baby sets, all at similar price points.
The Main Features
Advertised as an at-home spa option, the products certainly feel refreshing on the skin, calming, and luxurious, without the typical luxury price sticker.
I was quite surprised in further researching the formulations, as the quality of ingredients and natural plant based ingredients typically come at a much higher cost. In terms of benefits to use, I really enjoyed the face cleanser and lip balm. The cleanser is wonderful for sensitive skin and feels calming and soothing, while stile providing a deep clean, and it can be used twice daily without any drying to the skin. The balm is slightly minty, and definitely worked in terms of treating chapped and dry lips, this is a product I would definitely consider purchasing a full size of, but admittedly not the best balm or lip treatment I’ve tried at a low cost. The creams (body, hand and foot) seem suitable for very dry skin. They were good for treating dry patches, and definitely restored depleted hydration to the skin. So while the products certainly live up to claims in terms of benefits to use, I will say I think those without dry skin could probably use lighter formulations. With heavier and more liberal application you will start to notice a certain greasy texture, however this can be mitigated by more conservative application.
Below we provide brief reviews on each product included within the set, including benefits to use.
An Overview, The Included Products:
Coconut Foot Cream
This product was decent, and I found it definitely treated dry feet, but would likely be more appropriate for extremely dry feet.
It feels soft and smooth with conservative application, but with heavier use can feel extremely greasy, which I certainly don’t like on the foot area. Because of how rich the formulation is, I would recommend this for very dry skin. Anyone with more normal skin runs the risk of feeling a slightly greasy texture. But I will say in researching other reviews, many love this product and seem to swear by it, so if treating dry feet is a concern for you, I would definitely recommend the product (my feet are not dry, so I only tried this out as it was provided in the set).
Beeswax Hand Salve
Similar to the foot cream, this makes an excellent product for those with very dry hands.
The texture is quite rich and does not require the use of a lot of product. I would definitely recommend this for treating dry hands, but caution against overuse as it can feel a bit heavy on the skin. It certainly absorbs after a couple of minutes, and the odor of the cream dissipates quickly.
This seems like a really great and low cost solution for those who work in certain fields that require frequent hand washing, or simply for those looking to treat very dry hands, and during cold winter months.
Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream
The cleanser can be used on the face or body, and I elected to use it as a daily facial cleanser. This was probably my favorite item in the set, and I really felt it was extremely nourishing and replenished hydration rather than depleting it, even with twice-daily use. This is a product I would consider purchasing again, and would recommend it for all skin types, particularly sensitive and dry.
It feels quite soothing and provides balance with respect to skin texture, promoting a softer and more even overall aesthetic.
Milk and Honey Body Lotion
The lotion was decent, and definitely uses natural and high quality ingredients particularly for the price point. It’s probably not a product I would purchase the full size of, but it certainly rounds out the set and makes a nice addition to the other products. It made my skin feel quite soft and smooth, however I did have to apply product very conservatively. With heavier use the product has a tendency to feel a bit greasy on the skin (I would compare it to a product with a high concentration of Shea butter).
I would definitely recommend this as a standalone item for those with very dry skin, especially sensitive skin.
Beeswax Lip Balm
This was my second favorite product of the set. It feels soft and smooth, is very portable to toss in your purse on the go, and doesn’t feel heavy or greasy following product application. It remedies dry or chapped lips very quickly following application, and feels lightweight. I would consider purchasing a full sized product of the lip balm, however there are competitors in the category that offer very similar products in the same price point. It makes a great addition to the set and does not require frequent application, providing a great moisture hold throughout the day.
Positives and Negatives
Here are some of the main benefits to use and why the product makes a good purchasing option, as well as some areas that could use a bit of improvement:
Pros
- The body products are extremely hydrating for very dry skin, and I could see someone with extremely dry or rough hands and feed being very pleased with results
- The face cleanser is hydrating and gentle, and still provides a great deep clean, suitable for daily use
- The lip balm definitely works quite well, and soothes chapped lips very well
- Makes an excellent gift option, especially if you’re uncertain about the recipients skincare preferences, as it’s great for all skin
- Great gifting option for the office (if you need several gifts at a lower price point)
- Comes in packaging that is gift-friendly and can be wrapped easily
- Very reasonable price point, and definitely great value for the entire set
- Suitable for even very sensitive skin, including topical conditions (i.e. eczema)
- Perfect for travel, airplane carry-on friendly, and easy to toss in a purse or gym bag
- Cruelty free company: products are never tested on animals, however they do contain beeswax so they are not vegan
- Ingredients in product formulations are naturally based and very high quality in comparison to price point
- I did not experience any adverse allergy, irritation, or skin reaction to any of the included products, even with sensitive skin
- All products lived up to the initial claims with respect to benefits of use
Cons
- The hand and foot cream seem a bit too heavy, almost greasy in texture, so it’s important to be very conservative when applying them, however they may be a good treatment for extremely dry skin or more suitable for the coldest months during the Winter
- I was not blown away by the fragrances of the products, particularly the hand cream, but this is a matter of personal preference, the scent is quite “woodsy”
Money-Back Guarantee
Burt’s Bees has a strong return and exchange policy that honors full refunds upon dissatisfaction or allergy, this policy favors the customer, both new and preexisting.
If you are dissatisfied with the use of the products, or if they do not work for your skin to provide suitable benefits, or you experience any product allergy or reaction to the formulations, you may elect to return the entire set. In this case, you will receive a full refund equal to the entire purchase price of the item.
The Final Verdict
While I wouldn’t go as far as calling this an “at home spa,” as marketing alludes to, I will say particularly at the price point in question all of these products live up to claims about benefits to use.
It’s also nice to discover products formulated with natural and high quality ingredients at a lower cost, ones that are safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin and topical conditions. Many other reviewers who suffer from varying topical conditions describe excellent benefits to use, and claim the product helps with dry patches, redness, and skin irritation.
None of the products caused an adverse or allergic reaction, which is always a nice bonus, particularly in the context of a set. Burt’s Bees is a staple for many and has definitely passed the test of time, suggesting benefits to use, as well as modestly priced products that actually benefit the skin free of any irritating ingredients. While I would not repurchase the set, I would consider purchasing a full sized version of the cleanser.
This also makes a really excellent gift option, and it certainly makes me think of a stocking stuffer for mom during the holidays, or a secret Santa with a price constraint. It’s also advisable for those seeking multiple gifts. Ultimately, for the price point, I consider this to be a pretty valuable purchase, and would recommend it, particularly to those with very dry skin and/or sensitive skin.
