Burt's Bees SPF 30 Lip Balm
Lower concern; lip balm formulas rarely require PFAS despite brand silence.
Natural wax and oil base contain no known PFAS ingredients. Lip balm lacks waterproofing or stain-resistant properties that would trigger fluorinated chemistry.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
beeswax, oils, natural wax blend
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Burt's Bees SPF 30 Lip Balm is made of, ingredients and materials
Burt's Bees SPF 30 Lip Balm is formulated around beeswax and plant oils (shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil) with mineral sunscreen actives, typically zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This wax-and-oil matrix is chemically stable at skin temperature and does not require emulsifiers or synthetic binders that introduce concern chemicals. The natural wax base resists degradation and leaching under normal storage conditions.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Burt's Bees SPF 30 lists 'natural flavors' and essential oils (often lavender or mint) without full fragrance component breakdown. Natural fragrances can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive users; ingredient transparency is limited by trade secret protections, but no specific adverse event reports are established.
Oil rancidity and microbial growth
Natural oils (coconut, jojoba) can oxidize and support mold growth if stored in warm or humid conditions or if the product is left open. Beeswax provides some preservative action, but no synthetic preservatives are listed, making shelf-life dependent on storage and handling.
Zinc oxide skin irritation (rare)
Mineral sunscreen actives are generally well-tolerated on lips, but zinc oxide can cause mild drying or irritation in users with very sensitive mucous membranes. This is uncommon and reversible upon discontinuation.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Lip balms typically use iron oxides and mica for tint; Burt's Bees does not disclose raw material heavy metal testing, but standard cosmetic suppliers' iron oxides are not flagged with contamination. No recalls for lead or cadmium in this product line are on record.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No preservatives typical of formaldehyde-releaser class (DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea) are listed on the ingredient label. Burt's Bees does not appear to use these agents in this line.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox and markets itself as natural and cruelty-free (certified by PETA). The brand does not publish explicit PFAS statements or third-party safety testing summaries on product pages, which is typical for smaller skincare brands but limits transparency. No major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this lip balm line; ingredient lists are accessible and consistent with FDA cosmetic disclosure norms.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreen lip balms (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) are considered lower-risk than chemical sunscreen formulas (oxybenzone, avobenzone), which carry endocrine concern data. Burt's Bees sits in the mainstream natural category; competitors like Badger, Sun Bum, and EOS offer similar wax-based formats. Most lip balms in this tier avoid heavy metals in pigments and synthetic fragrances, though specific testing is rarely disclosed.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place (below 75°F preferred) to prevent wax softening and separation. Replace every 12 months or if the balm develops an off smell or discoloration, which indicates rancidity in the oil phase. Avoid applying near eyes and do not ingest; while food-grade wax is used, ingestion of sunscreen actives is not intended. Reapply every 2 hours or after eating/drinking for sun protection efficacy.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Burt's Bees has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Burt's Bees SPF 30 Lip Balm?
- Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Synthetic fragrance allergens
More sunscreen grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.