The Short Answer
Burt's Bees toothpaste is a major step up from conventional drugstore brands, but it is not a truly clean toothpaste.
While it successfully ditches artificial dyes and SLS, it still relies on controversial additives like titanium dioxide and carrageenan. To make matters more complicated, the toothpaste is actually manufactured by Procter & Gamble—the same mega-corporation behind Crest.
If you are transitioning away from conventional brands, Burt's Bees is an acceptable stepping stone. But if you want a truly non-toxic oral care routine, you can do better.
Why This Matters
For years, Burt's Bees built its reputation as the ultimate earthy, natural brand. But that independent, small-batch company hasn't existed since 2007, when cleaning giant Clorox purchased them for $925 million.
The toothpaste line is an even further departure from those roots. Burt's Bees toothpaste is formulated and manufactured by Procter & Gamble under a licensing agreement signed in 2018. When you buy this toothpaste, you are essentially buying a cleaner version of Is Crest Safe.
This is a textbook example of "greenwashing" in the personal care aisle. Large corporations use natural-sounding brands to capture the health-conscious market, while still relying on cheap, mass-market manufacturing practices. Toms Vs Burts Bees Toothpaste
What's Actually In Burt's Bees Toothpaste
Burt's Bees uses a mix of naturally derived ingredients and synthetic additives. While they avoid the worst offenders, several ingredients still raise red flags for clean beauty advocates.
- Titanium Dioxide — This synthetic mineral is used purely to make the toothpaste look white. It has been banned as a food additive in the EU due to genotoxicity concerns. Is Titanium Dioxide In Toothpaste Safe
- Carrageenan — A seaweed-derived thickener that gives the paste its texture. It has been linked to severe gastrointestinal inflammation and is widely avoided in clean food and personal care. Is Carrageenan In Toothpaste Safe
- Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate & Cocamidopropyl Betaine — These are coconut-derived surfactants used instead of harsh sulfates. They are generally safe, effective alternatives for people looking for What Toothpaste Has No Sls.
- Sodium Fluoride — Included in their anti-cavity formulas. Whether you want this depends entirely on your personal stance on fluoride exposure. Is Fluoride Necessary Adults
- Stevia & Natural Flavors — Used instead of artificial sweeteners like saccharin. This is a massive improvement over conventional brands.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- No SLS — It won't cause the micro-tears and canker sores associated with harsh sulfates. Is Sls In Toothpaste Bad
- No Artificial Dyes — You won't find Red 40 or Blue 1 in these tubes.
- Recyclable Tubes — A step in the right direction for environmental impact.
Red Flags:
- Manufactured by P&G — You are buying a corporate product dressed in natural marketing.
- Cosmetic Whitening Agents — Titanium dioxide is an unnecessary aesthetic additive that introduces potential risk.
- Inflammatory Thickeners — Carrageenan is a cheap shortcut for texture that true clean brands avoid.
The Best Options
If you are looking for Safest Toothpaste, you need to look past the drugstore natural brands. Here is how Burt's Bees stacks up against the competition.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boka | Ela Mint n-Ha Toothpaste | ✅ | Fluoride-free, SLS-free, and remineralizes with clean hydroxyapatite. |
| Burt's Bees | Purely White Fluoride-Free | ⚠️ | Better than standard brands, but relies on titanium dioxide and carrageenan. |
| Crest | Pro-Health Advanced | 🚫 | Loaded with artificial dyes, SLS, and controversial synthetic additives. |
The Bottom Line
1. Manage your expectations. Burt's Bees is a P&G product masquerading as a small apothecary brand.
2. It's an acceptable transition paste. If your only other option is Colgate or Crest, Burt's Bees is a significantly cleaner choice.
3. Upgrade when you can. If you want a truly clean formula without unnecessary thickeners or cosmetic dyes, switch to a premium hydroxyapatite brand. Whats The Cleanest Toothpaste
FAQ
Is Burt's Bees owned by Clorox?
Yes. Clorox bought the company for $925 million in 2007. However, the toothpaste specifically is made by Procter & Gamble through a long-term licensing deal.
Does Burt's Bees toothpaste have SLS?
No. Burt's Bees is proudly SLS-free. They use milder, coconut-derived surfactants to create their foaming action, making it a great option if you are prone to canker sores. What Toothpaste Has No Sls
Is Burt's Bees toothpaste EWG Verified?
No. Most of their toothpastes score a 2 or 3 (Low to Moderate Hazard) in the EWG Skin Deep database. They lose points primarily for their use of "flavor" (an undisclosed ingredient umbrella) and titanium dioxide.
Is there a lawsuit over PFAS in Burt's Bees?
Yes, but not for their toothpaste. A 2022 class-action lawsuit targeted their cosmetic line (specifically mascaras and lip shimmers) for allegedly containing "forever chemicals." There is currently no evidence of PFAS in their oral care line.