GUIDE
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment vs. Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment is a thick, multipurpose balm that excels at treating dry patches, eczema, and cradle cap. Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion is a lightweight, everyday moisturizer that absorbs quickly and costs significantly less. Both are made with natural ingredients and are pediatrician-tested.
These two products serve different purposes despite both being baby moisturizers. Tubby Todd is an ointment-style balm designed to create a protective barrier and treat problem areas. Burt's Bees is a traditional lotion built for daily full-body hydration. Understanding what each does best will help you decide which one belongs in your nursery — or whether you need both.
An Ointment and a Lotion Walk Into a Nursery
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment and Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion are two of the most talked-about baby moisturizers among new parents — but they are not really the same type of product.
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment is a thick, multipurpose balm. You scoop it out of a jar, warm it between your fingers, and press it into the skin. It forms a protective layer that seals in moisture and shields irritated areas. Parents reach for it when something is wrong — a rough patch of eczema, flaky cradle cap, redness behind the ears, or chapped cheeks in winter.
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion is a classic lightweight lotion. It pumps out of a bottle, spreads easily over your baby's entire body, and absorbs within a minute. Parents use it as a daily post-bath routine to keep skin soft and hydrated.
The difference matters. One is a treatment. The other is maintenance. Knowing which you need — or whether you need both — is the key to this decision.
| Feature | Tubby Todd All Over Ointment | Burt's Bees Baby Bee Lotion | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product type | Thick all-over ointment / balm | Lightweight nourishing lotion | Different formats entirely. Tubby Todd is a balm that creates a barrier. Burt's Bees is a traditional lotion that absorbs into skin. |
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, beeswax, avocado oil, rosehip oil, lavender oil, vitamin E | Buttermilk, sunflower seed oil, shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera | Both lean natural. Tubby Todd uses waxes and oils for a barrier effect. Burt's Bees uses lighter emollients for quick absorption. |
| Texture and feel | Thick, waxy, sits on top of skin | Light, smooth, absorbs quickly | Tubby Todd feels protective and heavy. Burt's Bees disappears into the skin within a minute or two. |
| Fragrance | Light natural lavender scent | Mild natural scent from buttermilk and botanicals | Both have a subtle, natural fragrance. Neither uses synthetic fragrances. |
| Moisture duration | Long-lasting — barrier locks in moisture for hours | Moderate — may need reapplication for very dry skin | Tubby Todd provides longer-lasting moisture due to its occlusive barrier. Burt's Bees is better for routine hydration. |
| Best use case | Dry patches, eczema, cradle cap, diaper area, targeted treatment | Daily full-body moisturizing after bath time | Tubby Todd is a treatment product. Burt's Bees is an everyday maintenance moisturizer. |
| Pediatrician-tested | Yes | Yes — pediatrician-tested and hypoallergenic | Both are pediatrician-tested. Burt's Bees also carries a hypoallergenic label. |
| Free of common irritants | No parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, or synthetic fragrance | No parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS | Both avoid the major irritants. Tubby Todd has a shorter overall ingredient list. |
| Ease of application | Requires warming between fingers; thick and sticky until spread | Pumps out smoothly and spreads easily over large areas | Burt's Bees is far easier to apply over a full body. Tubby Todd takes more effort but stays put on problem spots. |
| Size options | 3.5 oz jar (primary size) | 6 oz, 12 oz bottles | Burt's Bees gives you more product per purchase. Tubby Todd's jar is smaller but concentrated. |
| Availability | TubbyTodd.com, Amazon, select boutiques | Widely available — Amazon, Target, Walmart, CVS, grocery stores | Burt's Bees is much easier to find in stores. Tubby Todd often requires online ordering. |
Texture and Application: Night and Day
These two products feel completely different in your hands.
Tubby Todd is dense. You dig a small amount out of the jar with your fingertip, warm it up by rubbing your fingers together, and then press and smooth it onto the target area. It does not absorb quickly — that is by design. The ointment sits on top of the skin, forming an occlusive layer that traps moisture underneath. It can feel greasy or sticky, especially if you apply too much.
Burt's Bees pumps out like any standard lotion. It spreads smoothly over arms, legs, and torso, and sinks into the skin within a minute or two. There is no greasy residue. You can dress your baby right after applying without worrying about staining clothes.
For full-body moisturizing, Burt's Bees is the obvious choice — it is faster and easier to apply head-to-toe. For spot treatment on small problem areas, Tubby Todd's thick consistency is exactly what you want. It stays where you put it and does not slide off or evaporate quickly.
A practical note on clothing: because Tubby Todd leaves a noticeable residue, many parents apply it at bedtime and let it soak in overnight. Burt's Bees absorbs fast enough that you can dress your baby immediately. If you are doing a mid-day moisturizing session and need to get your little one dressed in a hurry, the lotion wins on convenience.
Ingredients: Both Natural, Different Approaches
Both products lean heavily on natural, plant-based ingredients, but their formulations reflect different goals.
Tubby Todd's ingredient list centers on shea butter and beeswax as the base, with avocado oil, rosehip oil, and vitamin E providing nourishment. The beeswax is the secret — it creates the occlusive barrier that makes the ointment so effective at locking in moisture and protecting damaged skin. The lavender essential oil gives it a mild, calming scent.
Burt's Bees uses buttermilk as a signature ingredient alongside sunflower seed oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera. These are all classic moisturizing ingredients that hydrate without heaviness. The formula also includes a small number of mild preservatives to keep the lotion stable in its pump bottle.
Neither product contains parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrance. Tubby Todd has a slightly shorter ingredient list overall, but both are well within the range of what pediatric dermatologists consider safe for baby skin.
One thing to watch: Tubby Todd contains lavender essential oil, which a small percentage of babies may be sensitive to. If your baby has reacted to lavender in other products, patch test first.
For parents who want to go even deeper on ingredient analysis, the key question is whether your baby needs an occlusive (something that sits on top and seals) or an emollient (something that absorbs and softens). Tubby Todd leans occlusive. Burt's Bees leans emollient. Many dermatologists suggest using both types — an emollient first, then an occlusive over problem areas — for the best results on dry or eczema-prone skin.
| Product | Typical Price | Cost Per Ounce | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubby Todd All Over Ointment (3.5 oz) | $26–$30 | ~$7.50–$8.50/oz | ~$26–$30 (one jar lasts 4–8 weeks with targeted use) |
| Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion (12 oz) | $8–$11 | ~$0.70–$0.90/oz | ~$8–$15 (one bottle lasts 4–6 weeks with daily full-body use) |
| Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion (6 oz) | $6–$8 | ~$1.00–$1.30/oz | ~$10–$16 (may need two bottles per month with daily use) |
Price: A Significant Gap That Tells a Story
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment costs roughly $7.50–$8.50 per ounce. Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion costs about $0.70–$0.90 per ounce in the 12 oz bottle. That is nearly a 10x difference in per-ounce pricing.
But the per-ounce comparison is misleading on its own. You use far less Tubby Todd per application because it is concentrated and you are applying it to small, targeted areas. A single 3.5 oz jar can last a month or two if you are only treating a few dry patches.
Burt's Bees goes fast because you are spreading it over your baby's entire body after every bath. A 12 oz bottle might last four to six weeks with daily use.
In terms of monthly spending, most families land around $8–$15/month for Burt's Bees and $15–$30/month for Tubby Todd, depending on how much skin they are treating. If you use both — Burt's Bees for daily full-body use and Tubby Todd for problem spots — expect a combined cost of roughly $20–$40/month.
A few ways to save on Tubby Todd:
- Subscribe on TubbyTodd.com for recurring deliveries and a small discount
- Watch for bundle deals — Tubby Todd occasionally runs sets that pair the ointment with their wash or other products at a lower total price
- Buy during holiday sales — Black Friday and baby-focused sales events often include 15–20% off
For Burt's Bees, the easiest savings come from buying the 12 oz bottle instead of the 6 oz, using Target Circle or Amazon Subscribe & Save, and watching for BOGO deals at drugstores.
Choose Tubby Todd All Over Ointment If
- Your baby has dry patches, eczema flares, or cradle cap that needs targeted treatment
- You want a barrier-forming ointment that locks in moisture for hours
- You prefer a short, natural ingredient list with no synthetic preservatives
- You need one product that works on face, body, diaper area, and scalp
- Your baby's skin has not responded well to lighter lotions alone
Choose Burt's Bees Baby Bee Lotion If
- You want an affordable daily moisturizer for healthy skin maintenance
- You prefer a lightweight lotion that absorbs quickly without residue
- Your baby does not have active eczema or persistent dry patches
- You like being able to pick up the product at any local store
- You want a pump bottle that is easy to use one-handed during diaper changes or after bath
- Budget is a priority and you need a product that covers full-body use without breaking the bank
Where to Buy
If your baby has dry patches, eczema, or cradle cap that needs real relief, Tubby Todd All Over Ointment (~$28 for 3.5 oz) is a fan-favorite treatment ointment that parents swear by. The thick, barrier-forming formula locks in moisture and protects irritated skin. A little goes a long way.
If you want a gentle, affordable daily moisturizer for healthy skin, Burt's Bees Baby Bee Lotion (~$9 for 12 oz) is a reliable everyday option — lightweight, naturally sourced, widely available, and easy on the budget. The pump bottle makes one-handed application a breeze.
Our honest take: many parents end up using both. Burt's Bees for the daily after-bath routine and Tubby Todd for the spots that need extra attention. That combination covers all your bases without overcomplicating things.
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The Bottom Line
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment and Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion are both good products — but they solve different problems.
Tubby Todd is the one you reach for when your baby's skin needs help. Dry patches, rough elbows, flaky scalp, eczema flares, chapped cheeks. It is thick, protective, and designed to treat. It costs more, but you use less, and it works on a wide range of skin issues.
Burt's Bees is the one you reach for every day. Post-bath moisturizing, keeping soft skin soft, maintaining healthy hydration. It is lightweight, affordable, and available at practically every store.
If you have to pick one, start with what your baby needs right now. If your little one has persistent dry or irritated skin, Tubby Todd will make a bigger difference. If your baby's skin is generally healthy and you want a solid daily moisturizer, Burt's Bees is a smart, budget-friendly choice.
And if you are tracking feedings and skin changes — which is helpful when introducing new products — tinylog makes it easy to log everything and spot patterns over time.
Related Guides
- Baby Eczema — Causes, treatment options, and when to see a dermatologist
- Baby Acne — What causes it and how to manage it
- Baby Diaper Rash — Prevention, treatment, and when to call the pediatrician
- Baby Heat Rash — How to identify and soothe heat-related skin irritation
Sources
- TubbyTodd.com. "All Over Ointment — Ingredients and Product Information." 2026.
- BurtsBees.com. "Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion — Product Details." 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology. "How to Care for Your Baby's Skin." aad.org, 2025.
- National Eczema Association. "Bathing and Moisturizing Practices for Babies with Eczema." nationaleczema.org, 2025.
- Healthline Parenthood. "Best Baby Lotions and Moisturizers." healthline.com, 2026.
- BabyCenter. "Baby Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment." babycenter.com, 2026.
- What to Expect. "Best Baby Lotions for Dry and Sensitive Skin." whattoexpect.com, 2026.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Every baby's skin is different. If your baby has persistent eczema, rashes, or skin irritation, consult your pediatrician or a pediatric dermatologist before choosing skincare products.

