Burt’s Bees Calming Night Cream Review

We put Burt's Bees' Calming Night Cream to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

I’ve spent the better part of the last nine months dealing with breakouts, redness, dullness, and a pesky plethora of other issues most likely caused by stress. Some products worked, others did not. The common theme of them all, though, was replenishment. Getting my skin back to where it once was has been a journey. I’m not there yet, but after testing Burt’s Bees Calming Night Cream, I’m a pinch more optimistic that my complexion is about to take a positive turn. Ahead, hear why I’m such a fan of this $11 drugstore product and why, if you also have sensitive skin, it should be on your radar.

About My Skin: Sensitive and red

Although I have balanced-combination skin, it’s particularly sensitive and reactive. Because of this, I don’t wear a lot of makeup (just BB cream most days, if anything) and I avoid skincare products that might be too harsh to handle. I also have a mild case of rosacea, so I’m always on the hunt for products that soothe and reduce redness.  

The Feel: Milky and lightweight

I was expecting this night cream to be thick and creamy but was surprised to find it’s on the milkier side. It spreads across the skin nicely and absorbs super quickly. It’s also got that clean smell that fragrance-free products always possess (a personal fave of mine).

The Ingredients: Formulated to soothe

The star ingredients in this night cream are cotton extract to soften, rice extract to moisturize, and aloe to soothe. All Burt’s Bees products are at least 95 percent natural (this night cream is 98.9 percent) and formulated without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), or any other problematic chemicals. 

How to Apply: Be gentle

Like all night creams, you'll want to apply this product on a clean (i.e. makeup-free) face, after your skin is all prepped and ready for bed. Smooth it over your face and neck and let it work its magic.

The Results: Plump after one use

Not to knock Burt’s Bees, but I went into this experiment with low expectations. I rarely turn to drugstore products for my skincare and didn’t foresee any drastic improvements. Welp, I was wrong. The very next morning after using this product my face felt plump, bouncy, soft, and moisturized. I’ve had the (much-appreciated) opportunity of testing out some especially pricey products over the years and this $11 night cream is punching above its weight in comparison to those. Color me impressed.

The Value: Excellent

For $11 in a jar that will last at least a month or two, this night cream is certainly worth it—especially considering how effective I found it to be.

Similar Products: You've got options

There are loads of night creams marketed toward those of us that are afflicted with sensitive skin. Here are a couple I've found success with.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel With Hyaluronic Acid for Dry Skin: I nabbed this Neutrogena pick ($24) from my boyfriend earlier this year and never looked back. This is another example of a drugstore product I had low hopes for and totally exceeded my expectations. That said, it doesn’t have the same kind of earthy ingredients as Burt’s Bees offers. Read Byrdie's full review here.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream: Though Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream ($33) doesn't technically market to only those with sensitive skin, it has worked great for mine. The moisture lasts for a long time (24 hours) and is formulated with glacial glycoprotein and olive-derived squalane. Read Byrdie's full review here.