When it comes to skincare products, there are many options available. Two popular moisturizing brands are Vaseline vs Burt's Bees. Both have loyal followings — but which one is better? This article compares Vaseline and Burt's Bees to help you decide.
In this article, we compare ingredients, benefits, and suitability for different skin types.
Key Takeaways
- Vaseline and Burt's Bees both offer moisturizing products such as lotions, balms, and petroleum jelly.
- Vaseline uses petroleum jelly while Burt's Bees uses natural ingredients like beeswax and honey.
- The article compares how suitable each brand is for different skin types.
Vaseline Vs Burt's Bees: Product Overview
Let's take a look at the brands.
Vaseline Essentials
Vaseline is a well-known brand that's been around for over 140 years. Their petroleum jelly is a household staple known for moisturizing properties.
Beyond classic petroleum jelly, Vaseline offers lotions, lip balms, and body oils.
Vaseline products are affordable and widely available, and the brand offers options for many skin types.

Burt's Bees Basics
Burt's Bees is a newer brand that gained popularity by focusing on natural, eco-friendly ingredients.
They offer lip balms, lotions, and body washes made largely from plant-based ingredients.
Many Burt's Bees products include beeswax, honey, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil, and are free from synthetic fragrances and some preservatives.
Burt's Bees also offers a variety of scents and flavors that users enjoy.
Vaseline Vs Burt's Bees: Ingredients Comparison
Now let's compare the two brands' ingredients.
Vaseline Ingredients
Vaseline is petroleum-based. The main ingredient is petroleum jelly (a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons from oil refining). Other common components include mineral oil and paraffin wax. Some Vaseline formulations include fragrance.

Burt's Bees Ingredients
Burt's Bees uses mostly plant-based and natural ingredients. A primary ingredient in many products is beeswax. Other ingredients include coconut oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, and natural extracts like chamomile, calendula, and lavender. Burt's Bees products tend to avoid synthetic fragrances and certain preservatives.
Benefits and Uses
Benefits of Vaseline
Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is multi-purpose. It locks in moisture, making it effective for dry and cracked skin, and acts as a barrier cream against wind and cold. It soothes minor burns, cuts, and scrapes, helps prevent chafing, and can relieve diaper rash.

Benefits of Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees offers natural formulations that are often gentler for sensitive skin. Their products supply nourishment from beeswax, honey, and plant oils, and are cruelty-free. Many people choose Burt's Bees for cleaner ingredient lists and natural scents.
Skin Types Suitability
Vaseline for Different Skin Types
Vaseline is versatile and works well for dry or sensitive skin due to its occlusive properties. However, people with oily or acne-prone skin may want to avoid applying Vaseline to their face, as it can potentially clog pores.

Burt's Bees for Different Skin Types
Burt's Bees products are generally suitable for most skin types and are often non-comedogenic. That said, those with extremely dry skin may find some Burt's Bees products lighter and less occlusive than petroleum jelly-based options.
Price and Availability
Vaseline is widely available in drugstores, supermarkets, and online retailers and is usually very affordable (e.g., a 13 oz jar around $4–$6 depending on region).
Burt's Bees is commonly found in supermarkets, health stores, and online; its products are typically pricier than Vaseline (for example, small tins or balms often cost more than basic petroleum jelly).

Frequently Asked Questions - Vaseline Vs Burt's Bees
What are the benefits of using Burt's Bees over Vaseline for dry lips?
Burt's Bees lip balms use beeswax and shea butter to provide lasting hydration and nourishment, plus antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help protect and repair. Vaseline creates a moisture-retaining barrier but doesn't add the same nourishing botanical ingredients.
Does Burt's Bees lip balm contain any petroleum jelly?
No — Burt's Bees lip balms do not contain petroleum jelly; they rely on beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter instead.
How does Vaseline Lip Therapy compare to Burt's Bees in moisturizing properties?
Vaseline Lip Therapy prevents moisture loss by forming a barrier. Burt's Bees provides barrier protection plus natural emollients and nutrients from plant-based oils and butters, which many users find more nourishing long-term.
Are there advantages to using Vaseline for lip care instead of Burt's Bees?
Vaseline is excellent at sealing moisture for extremely chapped lips and works well as an inexpensive, reliable barrier. Burt's Bees adds botanical nourishment but may feel lighter than petroleum jelly.
What are the main differences in ingredients between Burt's Bees and Vaseline lip balms?
Burt's Bees: beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, natural extracts. Vaseline Lip Therapy: petroleum jelly and sometimes added fragrance or mineral oil. Burt's Bees focuses on plant-based nutrients; Vaseline focuses on occlusive moisture retention.
Can Burt's Bees lip balm provide long-lasting hydration compared to Vaseline?
Yes — Burt's Bees can provide long-lasting hydration thanks to beeswax and shea butter combined with oils. Vaseline excels at locking in moisture; both approaches can be effective depending on your needs (nourish vs. seal).



