The full comparison.
Disclosure: published by Numbrrrz. We strive for accuracy but acknowledge our perspective as a competing brand.
| Feature |  Numbrrrz | Burt's Bees |
|---|---|---|
| Number of ingredients | 4 simple ingredients | 8-15+ depending on variety |
| Contains lanolin | No | Yes (common allergen) |
| Organic base oils | Yes — coconut and jojoba | Some — varies by product |
| Artificial fragrances | No — only essential oils | No — uses flavor/fragrance blends |
| Contains phthalates | No | Claims phthalate-free |
| Petroleum-based ingredients | No | No |
| Preservatives | Vitamin E (natural antioxidant) | Rosemary extract, tocopherol, and other stabilizers |
| Ingredient transparency | 4 ingredients — can read the entire list in seconds | Varies by SKU — some list 15+ ingredients in small print |
| Allergen risk profile | Very low — no common allergens | Moderate — lanolin, fragrance blends, and rosemary are known sensitizers |
| Cruelty-free / animal testing | Cruelty-free — no animal testing | Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified) |
Who Owns Burt's Bees?
Big Corp SubsidiaryThe Clorox Company(CLX) -- Household Cleaning & Consumer Products
Also makes: Clorox Bleach, Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Glad, Hidden Valley
What sets us apart.
Numbrrrz uses only 4 ingredients vs. Burt's Bees' 8-15+ ingredients per product
No sunflower seed oil, canola oil, or other filler oils that can clog pores
No lanolin, which is a common allergen that many people react to
No rosemary extract, which can irritate sensitive skin and trigger contact dermatitis
Simpler formula means fewer potential allergens and irritants
Every ingredient serves a clear purpose — no fillers, no marketing extras
Go deeper.
Learn more about Burt's Bees and the ingredients mentioned.
Why switch to Numbrrrz.
Burt's Bees built its reputation on being natural, but their ingredient lists have grown considerably over the years. Many of their lip balm formulas now contain 10-15 ingredients including lanolin (a common allergen from sheep wool), sunflower seed oil, canola oil, rosemary extract, and various other additives. While individually these may be acceptable ingredients, the cumulative complexity increases the chances of irritation and allergic reactions. Numbrrrz simplifies lip care to just four proven organic ingredients that do exactly what your lips need — hydrate, nourish, and protect — without the extra complexity. Look more closely at what those extra ingredients actually do. Lanolin is a waxy substance stripped from sheep wool that shows up in Burt's Bees Original Beeswax Lip Balm and is a top-5 contact allergen in lip products, responsible for rashes and peeling that many users blame on dry weather rather than their balm. Sunflower seed oil and canola oil are inexpensive filler oils that dilute the formula without adding meaningful lip benefits. Rosemary extract, marketed as a natural preservative, contains compounds like 1,8-cineole that can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Numbrrrz replaces all of this with Organic Coconut Oil (deep moisture), Organic Jojoba Oil (skin-identical hydration), Organic Beeswax (protective barrier), and Vitamin E (natural antioxidant preservation). To be fair, Burt's Bees deserves credit for mainstreaming the idea that lip care products should avoid harsh synthetics, and their Leaping Bunny cruelty-free certification is genuine. They are a better choice than most drugstore options. But the brand has grown into a large CPG company owned by Clorox, and their formulas have expanded in complexity to serve mass-market manufacturing and shelf-stability needs. If you started with Burt's Bees because you wanted something cleaner, Numbrrrz is the logical next step — the same ethos taken to its simplest, purest conclusion.
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