Burt’s Bees Hand Salve advertises to be 98.05% natural and a look at the ingredients backs that claim up. It is packed with herbs and oils designed to lock in moisture and soften hands. Directions show that the hand salve can be used as often as needed with no restrictions. It is sold in retail stores and many organic product shops.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help skin fight free radical damage. This salve contains rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract and rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaves. According to the October 1999 issue of “Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry,” the antioxidant effect of rosemary is beneficial for skin. Two other antioxidants, tocopherol and tocopherol acetate, are vitamin E. They also help moisturize the skin and prevent some UV damage from occurring. Vitamin E can also work as a very slight sunscreen.
Emollients
Emollients soften and smooth skin, which aids in its moisturizing. The more included in a product the more the skin will resist drying and appearing flaky. Ingredients in the Burt’s Bees Hand Salve that fall into this category include glycine soja (soybean) oil, beeswax, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil and prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil. Beeswax is also a thickening agent, which helps the compound be less watery. An article in the “European Journal of Clinical Nutrition” in January 2002 showed olive oil as having anti-aging properties.
Anti-Inflammatories
Anti-inflammatories will keep inflammation down and reduce swelling. There are two ingredients that are anti-inflammatories in this hand salve. Canola oil is a moisturizing agent that fits this category, as is symphytum officinale (comfrey) root extract. Natural ingredients such as these appeal to those wanting less chemicals and more organic products.
Fragrance
Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) flowers are added for fragrance. The oil of lavender is more fragrant and potent but is not added due to the chance of skin irritation. Lavender can also have antibacterial properties and is widely used in aromatherapy as a calming agent to reduce stress.
