Are Bee Naturals products all-natural?

Unfortunately, the term ‘all-natural’ has become nearly meaningless. Rather, we formulate our products with ingredients that are the purest and safest we can source and that have a safe track record for topical (external skin) use. 

Do Bee Naturals products contain chemicals?

That’s a BIG question, but for simplicity, yes, we sometimes use ingredients that are compounded in a lab for a host of reasons, one being that it may actually be purer in form than that found in nature.  Mind-boggling, isn’t it? Take, for example, oxides. They are found in nature and were used for years to color various things from pottery to cosmetics, however, natural oxides are frequently contaminated with heavy metals, so they are now produced without contaminants in the lab for purity. We also use hyaluronic acid in some of our formulas, which has great, hydrating skin benefits, but we use synthesized hyaluronic for purity as well as ethical reasons. As for nasty chemicals, no. We also avoid the use of non-renewable petrochemicals, such as mineral oil, etc.

We formulate to offer you the best that science and nature have to offer.

Are Bee Naturals products organic?   

Bee Naturals does not have USDA Organic Certification.  We do use many organic ingredients, especially oils that are known to have a high pesticide residue, such as sunflower oil, but the cost for our finished products would be much higher if we sought organic certification, so we’re cautious about what we source and are committed to keeping our prices affordable.

Are Bee Naturals products cruelty-free

Yes, Bee Naturals is committed to animal welfare and safety and never uses ingredients from sources that don’t demonstrate their commitment to animal welfare. We’re Leaping Bunny certified.

Are Bee Naturals products vegan?

No, we use beeswax in many of our products, which is not considered vegan because beeswax is produced by bees.

Are Bee Naturals products gluten-free?

Our products are gluten-free, but not certified as such.  Again, another big expense that would drive up the cost of our products to a level we consider unacceptable.

I see that Bee Naturals uses potassium sorbate/sorbic acid in some of their products.  Why?

These two closely related ingredients are considered GRAS (generally regarded as safe) for food use by the FDA.  You likely consume more in a day from your food and beverages than you’d absorb topically in a month.  These ingredients inhibit the growth of mold and fungus and help preservatives do a better job in protecting finished products from nasty bugs.

I see that Bee Naturals uses EcoCert sodium benzoate in some of their products, isn’t this a potentially harmful ingredient?  I’ve heard it can turn into benzene.  

Much like potassium sorbate/sorbic acid, sodium benzoate is, at very low levels, very effective at inhibiting the growth of mold and fungus.  It too is considered GRAS and is used at low levels in the food industry. It also occurs naturally in many of the foods we eat.  The only way sodium benzoate can turn into benzene is if it is exposed to strong acids, which is why we never used it in an acidic formulation.  See the interesting articles below.

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/benzoic_acid

http://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2017/07/24/sodium-benzoate-nonsense

Do Bee Naturals products contain preservatives? If so, why?

Absolutely!  If a product contains water, it must contain a preservative to prevent the rapid proliferation of bacteria, mold, and fungi.  Think of your favorite skin cream or lotion as being similar to a batch of pudding.  Both contain many of the similar ingredients that are ‘food’ for nasty organisms.  You wouldn’t leave that batch of pudding on your kitchen counter for a week and then decide to eat it, would you?  Even under sterile manufacturing conditions, all will grow organisms that can cause serious, potentially fatal illness. 

Products that don’t contain water, in general, are much less likely to support bacterial growth and are sometimes referred to as ‘self-preserving’.  As long as the water is not introduced into these anhydrous or water-free products, technically, preservatives are not required.  We use natural rosemary oil extract in these products to help deter rancidity or oxidation of the oils.  We primarily use paraben-free preservatives, such as phenoxyethanol in our water-containing products.

See our Blogspot about preservatives, here: https://www.beenaturals.com/preservatives-natural-skin-care/

Phenoxyethanol -- Oil-Free Moisturizer, how much phenoxyethanol is in the bottle

The manufacturer suggested usage is 1%, so a 2 oz bottle contains only 0.02 oz. Also, phenoxyethanol is a paraben-free preservative. 

 

Can I use my website Bee Rewards points at your retail store?

At this time we are unable to transfer Bee Rewards points from our website for use in one of our two retail stores.

Can I use my retail store gift card on the Bee Naturals website?

At this time, we are unable to redeem retail gift cards on our website, however, electronic gift certificates for website use are available for purchase on our website.

Argan Oil--Top 12 Argan Oil Benefits for Skin and Hair

https://draxe.com/beauty/argan-oil-benefits-skin-hair/

Do you offer gift cards to be used to order from your website?

Hi ______, yes, we do sell 'gift cards' for our website. They are virtual gift cards in that you simply purchase the denomination you'd like, pay for it on our site, then send it via email to the gift recipient. Plastic gift cards are only available at our retail locations in Maplewood, MO and Clarksville, MO. Thank you for your interest!

Here is the link on our website: https://www.beenaturals.com/product/queen-bee-collection/gift-certificates/

I had a ‘reaction’ to one of your products. How is that possible with ‘naturally’ formulated products?

Humans can react to nearly anything in our environment, including many foods. The word reaction is vague and general.  It’s the type of response or reaction that helps narrow down a more specific cause.  Did you know that fragrance, synthetic or natural is a primary cause of sensitivity?  Think about pollen and pet dander, for example. They’re ‘natural’ in that they’re not synthetically manufactured, but very detrimental to those individuals who are sensitive to them.

Can I use your Insect Repellent on my toddler?

Although this is a pesticide-free product, (no DEET or pyrethrins), we recommend you consult with your child’s pediatrician for their approval.  Young children can be particularly sensitive to essential oils, especially if they have asthma, allergies or other respiratory conditions.  

Does your Insect Repellent keep bees and other stinging insects away?

No, it is formulated to deter gnats and mosquitos.

I’ve noticed that there is a BB, or Best By date on your products.  Should I discard my favorite items if they’re past the BB date?

So glad you asked!  There’s a lot of confusion surrounding Expiration Dates and Best By dates.  For simplicity, expiration dates are generally best related to products that will a) spoil after the date passes (such as fresh food) or b) a drug that has active ingredients, whether prescription or OTC (over the counter) that will possibly lose its potency after a period of time.

Best By dates, on the other hand simply give a general indication of overall product performance expectations and, as in the case with lotions and/or creams, viscosity or thickness can decrease over time.  Just because the best by date has passed does not mean your product is no longer safe or fresh.  It’s just a suggestion, but do keep in mind that preservatives will deteriorate over time, so we don’t recommend that you keep products, especially those containing water lying around in your cabinet for years prior to use.

Does Bee Naturals ship to international addresses (outside the US)?

Yes, we do offer international shipping. Please note that Bee Naturals is not liable for the recovery of undelivered or lost international orders unless the purchaser opts to insure their order.  We have no control over international orders once they leave the U.S. Postal system. 

General Disclaimer and Common Sense Guidelines

At Bee Naturals, we take your health and safety seriously. We ask that you follow these common-sense guidelines when using our products.

Please avoid introducing multiple facial care products at once. Rather, we suggest that you introduce only one new product per week to determine your own unique response to each, especially if you have a sensitive, or reactive complexion.

Please supervise the use of our products by all children under the age of 12 and keep out of reach of pets.

Follow individual product instructions, guidelines and precautions listed on each product label and please don’t hesitate to contact us at www.beenaturals.com, or call 573-242-3475 if you have any questions or concerns.

Our products are intended for external use only and we recommend you avoid getting products into the eyes or mucous membranes.

Please consult a qualified, board-certified physician or dermatologist if you have a skin or other condition that is undiagnosed, or worsens with use of a specific product.

Please avoid using any of our products that contain ingredients to which you are or may be allergic or be sensitive to.

None of the information on this site should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis or prescriptive in nature. 

What is the shelf life of our products?

Where do your ingredients come from?

If I purchase something online (Amazon or Bee Naturals .com) can I return it to a store if I’m unsatisfied with it?

Rosacea: What face care is best for people with Rosacea?

15% welcome discount:

I forgot to use my 15% welcome discount. Can I get it now, but I already placed my order.

Unfortunately, we cannot process a discount once the order has been completed, but this coupon does not expire, so you’ll be able to use it on your next order. 

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your business.  

Return Policies:

I purchased some items from your website for myself and loved them. However, I purchased some skincare for my son to use for acne and we did not open them. I found out from his allergist and doctor that he is allergic to some of the ingredients. I was wondering what your return policy is? I already deleted my email with proof of purchase. 30 days for return of this nature Shipping/Return questions: We sent your order to the address you provided, but it was returned to us. On the box, the USPS states that they were unable to deliver your package. It also stated that the package was unclaimed. If you would like your order reshipped plus shipping cost let us know.  Coconut oil soap questions:

Hello, I have some questions about one of your products, the coconut oil soap here: https://www.beenaturals.com/product/bath-and-body/soaps-and-sanitizers/coconut-oil-soap/

First, where is it sourced from? Is it organic? Non-GMO?  

It is made to our specifications by a 3rd generation soapmaker in St. Louis in 50 gallon batches.  It does not meet organic specifications simply because coconut oil is not particularly prone to contamination with pesticides. It is Kosher and food-grade coconut oil.  Yes, there is organic certified coconut oil, but it costs twice what our grade costs and in my opinion, is overkill and not an expense that most of our customers want to bear. This is not a GMO product.  Apparently, science and agriculture haven't tinkered with coconut palms, yet.

 

Yes, it should be diluted with water before use.  Although the viscosity of this soap is thin, it is nonetheless very concentrated and can easily be diluted up to 80% depending on what you plan to use it in/for.  Glycerin is an excellent additive, as it adds humectant properties, which is nice for the skin, but not required. Generally, for skin use, I'd say use up to 10% (1 oz of glycerine for every 10 oz of soap). You can use a 'recycled' former pump, the kind that dispenses fluffy foam and for that, you would use about a 50/50 mix of soap and warm, distilled water. I don't recommend using tap water.  This product is not a solid bar soap.  It is a liquid Castile soap that can be used in a variety of products.  If you are familiar with Dr. Bronner's brand of liquid soaps, the uses are very similar.  This link may be helpful   https://www.drbronner.com/all-one-blog/2017/06/dilutions-cheat-sheet-dr-bronners-pure-castile-soap/  

 

https://bloomandclementine.com/the-miracle-soap-29-different-everyday-uses-for-dr-bronners-castile-soap/  

 

Should it be diluted for use as hand soap if I don't want to add other things to it like glycerin? To what ratio with water? Is there a specific dispenser that works best?

For use as dish soap should it also be diluted?

The review said that it is not as thick as other Castile soaps so I'm confused as to how to use it.  

Coconut oil

I’ve read that coconut oil is comedogenic. It clogs pores. I see it in your best dry skin cream. Can you speak to that?

 

Thank you for your great question. Coconut oil can get comedogenic for people that are prone to acne, however, if you are not prone to acne or oily skin it is a very nourishing and beneficial ingredient and should not be a problem for your skin type unless you are prone to acne. In fact, we use it in many of our products for dry skin. 

Coconut oil is a very appropriate ingredient to use in very dry skin, again if you are not prone to oiliness or acne skin it should not be a problem for you. 

We would like to help you select a product, could you tell us about your skin type?

Look forward to hearing from you. 

 

30 Uses for Coconut Oil (Besides Cooking) link below

https://blog.paleohacks.com/30-uses-for-coconut-oil/?utm_source=mg&utm_medium=mgemail&utm_campaign=coconut#

 

 

Oil Free Moisturizer Ingredient question:

Hi there. Can you tell me about the vegetable glycerin, xanthan gum, and phenoxyethanol? As far as source and purpose? Thank you?

Vegetable Glycerin is a humectant (Attracts water to the skin), Xanthan Gum is a thickener, a good grade thickener, Phenoxyethanol is a paraben-free preservative

Customers will sometimes ask why our Oil Free Moisturizer is so ‘watery’ or thin, but it isn’t thick viscosity that moisturizes the skin. Our formula contains hyaluronic acid, which is the key ingredient that hydrates, without oil or pore clogging ingredients. Our multi-herb blend and 6% niacinamide (it B3), help keep pores clean without harshness and have the added benefit of also offering great anti-aging benefits, too.

Smells bad: Oil Free Night Repair Also about our other unscented  products

 

Thank you for letting us know about the Oil Free Night Repair Creme. It is made frequently, and you should be able to see the date made and a Best By date in tiny print on the label. Check those first, but do send it back to us for evaluation,  just to be safe and we'll send you a replacement.

 

 A couple of additional things, the Oil Free Night Repair is a totally unscented product, therefore, oftentimes what you smell is just the fragrance of the natural ingredients that go into the product. They don't  smell bad, but they don't necessarily smell good, either. Unlike the Oil Free Night Repair Creme, our Oil Free Moisturizer has essential oils in it for therapeutic purposes, and consequently has a 'fresher' smell. 

 

 I do want to retest yours and evaluate the condition of the jar that you have, so getting it back will be very helpful.

 

I will mention that totally unscented products are difficult for consumers to get used to,  and many products that are labeled fragrance free, actually do have some low level fragrance in them to 'mask' the fragrance of the ingredients. The problem with that is that they still contain some fragrance, and although not as high a level, the potential for sensitivity is still there, as fragrance is the leading cause of sensitivities. 

 

These masking fragrances are often not listed on the label and some companies are under the impression that if an ingredient is less than 0.5% of the overall formula, they don't have to list it. This is actually not correct per FDA labeling guidelines, but it's a pretty widespread practice.

 

 

Question about Tinted Facial Primer and Tinted Moisturizer

Hello,

Thank you to Sherry for adding in samples with my most recent order. I'm familiarizing myself with your offerings and will figure out and ask questions to fine tune products to use down the line as I finish up some of my exiting less natural products.

I already use the tinted moisturizer and like very much. You sent the tinted primer to try and I really like this also. Is it recommended to use together to get the hydrating properties of the hyaluronic acid and grapeseed oil from one combined with the non-nano zinc oxide in the other? Which would I put on 1st?

Thank you!

Charlene Kozloff

Hi Charlene,

I personally prefer the Tinted Primer because it works best with my skin type, and makes my skin look good without makeup. The sun protection is also much higher due to the high percentage of zinc oxide, which is great.

As for the ingredients in each, the Tinted Moisturizer has an impressive ingredient profile and it gives a slightly more matte finish, however, the ingredient profile for the Tinted Primer is quite impressive, too, actually better, in my opinion, but at the end of the day, it’s really comes down to which you prefer to use- how they feel and look on your skin.  Certainly, you could layer them, but I think that’s a bit of overkill. If you do decide to use both, I would apply the Tinted Moisturizer first, then the Primer over that.

Hope this is helpful!

Here are the ingredients in the Tinted Primer and their respective benefits:

Phospholipids	Skin Hydration through Improved Skin Barrier Function (comparable to hyaluronic)
Cranberry Seed Oil	Anti-Oxidant / Restructuring (I think this oil is more powerful than grapeseed, by far.
Green Tea & Milk Thistle Extracts	Anti-Oxidant / Softening
Red Raspberry Seed Oil	Anti-Oxidant / Repairing
Vitamin E	Anti-Oxidant / Repairing
Argan Oil	Restructuring / Revitalizing
Zinc Oxide	Physical Barrier to sun damage (mineral) This product has not been rated by the FDA however, it does contain 25% Zinc Oxide (micro not nano) which would be equivalent to a rating of approximately 50. If you're wondering why we don’t place an SPF rating on this product, it is purely for economic reasons.  We would have to charge at least twice the current price, as once an SPF rating is listed, the product is then considered an OTC (over the counter drug) instead of a cosmetic.  The testing is VERY expensive.

 I was wondering if any of the ingredients in the Oil Free Moisturizer, Oil Free NIght Repair Cream, or the Queen Bee facial nectar contain soy-derived ingredients.

The following products do not contain soy-derived ingredients.

Possible title: Understanding Skin Cleansing Ingredients- how do I know what to look for on the label and which to avoid?

 

Hi Merry, I wanted to take a moment to explain how our Liquid Honey Skin Cleanser is different from commercial cleansers you may be accustomed to using.

This product is made from a liquid coconut oil soap, which is a true soap, not a synthetic detergent, like most. True soaps, whether a solid bar or a liquid, don't generally have the same foaming characteristics as synthetic detergents and this is due, primarily to the fact that the sudsing ability of true soaps is affected by the mineral content of the water we use (hardness).  These minerals bind with the soap and suppress foaming (this is the process that creates 'soap scum' or bathtub ring, however, this doesn't significantly reduce the cleansing ability of the soap.  Detergents, to a great extent, are chemically developed to overcome interference from minerals in hard water, hence why you're used to lots of sudsing with commercial products.

If you had a water softener in your home, or other source of soft water, you would notice more sudsing with this product.  Here's another thing to keep in mind- many common detergents used in everything from laundry detergent, shampoo and body washes contain sodium lauryl sulfate which, though it foams well, can be extremely drying to the skin and in some individuals cause dermatitis.  In other words, it performs well suds-wise, but it almost works too well and can strip away too many of our protective natural skin oils.  When we cleanse, we want to remove dirt and bacteria, but we don't want to get our skin so 'squeaky-clean' that we end up with dry skin.  There are many other factors that influence how soaps and detergents perform that are too technical and involved for my response here, but bottom line, foam doesn't equal clean, as we have all come to expect.  There are many newer generation, naturally derived detergents, such as decyl glucoside, that are very mild, and we use them too, but for those who desire a pure soap product, our Honey Glycerin Skin Cleanser can't be overlooked.  It is rich with skin nurturing honey and vegetable glycerin, which help keep our skin moist and healthy.

I hope you found my response helpful and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions.