Social media has played a key role many times in reviving and reinventing old lifestyle tips, but it’s becoming especially common in the beauty sphere. TikTok beauty trends are on the rise, and the latest product to hit the skin influencer’s doorstep is bag balm. Going from barn essential straight to beauty shelves, this moisturizer is an old-school beauty trick that was rediscovered by TikTok and became the go-to moisturizer. If you’re wondering what bag balm is and why its “intense” use is causing a buzz, we’ve got the lowdown on this trending beauty product, its interesting history, and more.
It’s common for forgotten brands and products to find new life by slipping into the zeitgeist of TikTok trends, and like the return of the Stanley Cup, Bag Balm is the latest product to make waves. For a beauty product to break into the skincare mainstream like Bag Balm does, it needs to please a wide range of consumers, but with influencers like Alix Earl (6.7 million followers) raving about it, that’s a lot easier to do.
Considering moisturizers come in all shapes, sizes, and prices from a variety of brands, it’s natural to wonder what’s so special about bag balms and why they’re recommended by “slags.” So let’s take a closer look at how to use this buzzy moisturizer and why it’s the latest craze among followers of TikTok’s beauty trends.
What is Bag Balm?
Packaged in a green square tin, Bag Balm is a 125-year-old product once reserved for veterinary use. Today, it has become popular again on the Internet as an alternative to petrolatum. But you might be surprised to learn that its original purpose was to treat sore udders in cows after milking and to help them survive harsh winters.
according to The New York TimesAt one time, the can had instructions printed on it that read, “Apply balm one hour before nighttime milking and immediately after morning milking.” It also had a label that said, “For veterinarians only.”
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Today, the product is recommended by TikTok influencers for treating dry skin and lips, and has become a staple in the popular beauty trend of “slugging.”
What is Slugging?
“Slugging,” a skincare trend that’s circulating on TikTok, is a suggested treatment for dry or irritated skin. It involves rubbing petroleum jelly on the face overnight to encourage healing. The odd name seems to refer to the glow your face gets after wearing the moisturizer’s glossy, slimy texture as an overnight mask.
The origins of a 100-year-old product
For a 125-year-old product to go viral like Bag Balm, it must have a rich history as a trending lifestyle hack. The product originated in Lyndonville, Vermont, a state famous for its harsh winters. With the snowy climate taking its toll on cows, Bag Balm was created as an ointment to soothe cows’ irritated skin. Its origins date back to 1899, when, according to the brand’s website, the skin-protecting ointment was first created by a Wells Rivers pharmacist. Later, Lyndonville resident John Norris purchased the rights to sell the ointment. Norris commissioned the product’s distinctive green can, which remains part of the iconic design to this day.
By the 1900s, it had become a staple product for dairy farmers, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that its uses were realized to extend beyond the barn. Soon, households began using it as an ointment for cuts and bruises. It also served as a moisturizer to soothe saddle burns and chapped lips, and new uses emerged as a country beauty regimen. It’s still sold in the same green tin, with a label on the packaging saying it works wonders for dry skin, and its uses have expanded beyond veterinary confines.
About the ingredients used in Bag Balm
Since this moisturizer is both veterinary and human-friendly, it’s only natural to be curious about its ingredients. In this case, the brand’s impressive transparency is commendable, as it isn’t shy about revealing that no changes have been made to its formula since 1988. This moisturizer is made up of three main ingredients: petrolatum, lanolin, and paraffin wax. For the uninitiated, lanolin is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of woolly animals. These ingredients are also likely responsible for its distinctive smell, which consumers describe as resembling the smell of everything from fresh leather to sheep and even shoe polish.
Celebrity Consumer
While TikTok may be to blame for the product’s resurgence, it’s been on celeb beauty shelves for some time now. Among the first celebs to endorse its use was Canadian pop star Shania Twain, who famously revealed that Bag Balm was her beauty secret in a 1999 interview. The Grammy Award winner confessed that she used the moisturizer to hydrate her skin, which became dry as a result of frequent plane trips. She also said that she used the product as a moisturizing hair care product and left it on for the day. Twain’s endorsement caused Bag Balm sales to skyrocket at the time, and TikTok is doing the same thing now.
Recently, People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” 2023 and Grey’s Anatomy Alum Patrick Dempsey is also a fan of the moisturizer to combat dry skin, revealing that he uses it to soothe dry hands during the cold season.
While Bag Balm continues to see a surge in human consumers, the brand says it still derives about 10% of its sales from farmers. The brand has also previously highlighted Bag Balm’s effectiveness on animals with a moving testimonial about how it helped heal the paws of a dog rescued during the 9/11 tragedy.
How to use bag balm: A modern take on a rustic beauty hack
Bag Balm is an all-purpose moisturizer. You’ll be amazed at the many uses of this rustic beauty product as a modern necessity. Various influencers have showcased its diverse uses. There’s a reason why this green tin has been sitting on bathroom shelves and in first aid boxes for years. Here are some ways to use it.
Alix The craziest experience @BLADE #grwm #umiami #flyblade
♬ Original Sound – Alix Earl
Nighttime Skin Care: The brand’s website recommends applying a thin layer of their original Bag Balm products as part of your nighttime skincare routine and for hydration, as the moisturizer acts as a protective layer, helping to seal in all the skincare products that are part of your nighttime routine.
Heals dry skin: It is effective on all dry skin from head to toe, especially sensitive areas such as cracked hands and feet, and acts as a soothing moisturizer.It is recommended as a pet care product for dry paws as well as humans.
Tattoo Care: The brand claims that the product is useful for post-tattoo care and helps heal and moisturize newly tattooed skin.
Beauty Hacks: Bag Balm is a great quick-fix beauty product to apply on cheekbones and lips as a lustrous highlighter, to tame flyaway hairs, and can also be used as a nail care product to moisturize cuticles.
Where can I buy Bag Balm?
In addition to its original moisturizer, sold as Vermont Original Bag Balm, the brand also offers a range of human products, including lip care and soap. All products can be purchased on the brand’s website. The moisturizer comes in a special 125th anniversary gold tin, which is currently on sale for $11.49. The brand’s regular green tin moisturizer comes in three sizes, including a travel-friendly mini version.
If you’re in the US, you can buy the full range of Bag Balm products here: As well as being available on the brand website, Bag Balm is also available at US retailers such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and of course for veterinary use from Tractor Supply Company.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, you can purchase Bag Balm from online retailers such as iHerb, Amazon, and Lazada.
(Main and feature images: Bagbalm/Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
– What is Bag Balm good for?
Bag balm has become popular as a go-to moisturizer after becoming a hot new beauty trend on TikTok. It’s used to treat dry skin and chapped lips, and has also been used to heal irritated skin. It’s also an agricultural product that helps treat sore udders in cows.
– Is bag balm just Vaseline?
This moisturizer contains petrolatum, lanolin, and paraffin wax. Petrolatum is one of the ingredients in the product.
– What was Bag Balm originally used for?
Originating from Vermont, the product was originally used to treat cows’ udders after milking and to protect the skin during harsh winters.
– Can I use Bag Balm on my face?
Bag Balm has become increasingly popular among TikTok influencers for “slagging,” which involves applying moisturizing cream all over the face to keep skin hydrated all night. The brand recommends a thin layer of Original Bag Balm as part of an evening skincare routine, so it’s no wonder the product has become recommended as part of many beauty trends on TikTok.
