With so many options lining drugstore shelves, it can be tough to decide between skincare brands like Burt’s Bees and CeraVe. As an editor who’s tested my fair share of […]
With so many options lining drugstore shelves, it can be tough to decide between skincare brands like Burt’s Bees and CeraVe. As an editor who’s tested my fair share of budget-friendly formulas, I often get asked how these two compare. While both offer quality ingredients at affordable prices, there are some notable differences between Burt’s Bees and CeraVe in terms of ingredients, texture, skin type suitability and more.
Ingredients
A major contrast is that Burt’s Bees focuses on natural ingredients like botanical oils and extracts. Their products emphasize nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, honey and beeswax. CeraVe takes a more clinical approach, incorporating ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide into many formulas to help strengthen and repair the skin barrier. If natural is your priority, you may favor Burt’s Bees. But CeraVe offers targeted ingredients to treat specific concerns.
Effectiveness
With their plant-based extracts and antioxidants, Burt’s Bees products deliver noticeable hydration and softening effects for hands, lips and normal to dry skin. Their cleansers are gentle yet effective at removing makeup and impurities. However, CeraVe’s formulas with ceramides and hyaluronic acid tend to better address skin conditions like eczema or acne. Their patented MVE technology helps replenish ceramides for 24 hours. So for issues like irritation and breakouts, CeraVe may be more effective.
Texture
Burt’s Bees has signature thicker, richer textures derived from beeswax and butters. Their creams and balms feel nourishing but can be heavy for oily skin. CeraVe favors lightweight gels and lotions that absorb quickly without greasy residue. Their Hydrating Cleanser has a creamy texture that still rinses clean. So Burt’s Bees offers richer hydration while CeraVe provides lightweight formulas ideal for oilier skin.
Skin Types
The nourishing formulas from Burt’s Bees work well for normal to very dry skin in need of intense daily moisture. Their thicker balms also protect and relieve severely chapped hands and lips in harsh climates. Meanwhile, CeraVe covers a wider range of skin types. From their foaming face washes to their AM/PM lotions, both oily and dry skin can benefit. Those with eczema or acne also reach for CeraVe for their skin-restoring ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Reviews
Fans of Burt’s Bees praise the brand’s commitment to natural ingredients, citing noticeable improvements in softness and radiance from head to toe. CeraVe also has its share of loyal followers who rely on the dermatologist-developed brand to care for sensitive, acne-prone skin without irritation. Many reviews highlight CeraVe’s effectiveness at relieving dryness and inflammation.
Price
As two drugstore favorites, Burt’s Bees and CeraVe are typically priced under $20. Burt’s Bees may skew slightly higher for some of their handcrafted products containing beeswax and plant butters. But overall, both brands offer quality formulas at an affordable, mass market price point.
In summary, those looking for wholesome, botanical-based formulas will love Burt’s Bees. But if your main concern is repairing the skin's barrier with ingredients like ceramides, CeraVe is a powerhouse brand. Ultimately, incorporating products from both lines can help achieve healthy, radiant skin. Use Burt’s Bees nourishing creams for a moisture boost, then follow with CeraVe's lightweight lotions and SPF to hydrate without clogging pores. Your skin will reap the best of both worlds.