Bag Balm is Udderly Fantastic
Growing up in the burbs meant that I didn’t have much contact with farm animals, so the first time I saw a bottle of Mane n’ Tail shampoo in the drugstore I stood in the aisle for 15 minutes trying to work out what the hell was going on.
“Hmmm,” I thought. “There are no farms in my ‘hood, so why carry a shampoo for horses on the shelf? And if horses need shampoo, what about conditioner or gel for that matter? Do horses in the wild have rattier hair because they don’t use shampoo? And what kind of woman would use a horse shampoo anyway?” It was all very confusing.
(Full disclosure: I have to point out that I am easily confused. During my entire freshman year in high school I had a picture of Bobby Brown on my algebra binder. I wish I could say that at the time I was trying to be sarcastic, but, unfortunately, that was not the case.)
Ever since then I’ve been weirdly fascinated by beauty products suitable for use by both animals and humans.
So, three years ago I was cruising Walgreen’s in downtown San Francisco and found a mysterious green tin of BAG BALM in the lotion aisle. That’s when it struck me — de ja vu/vu ja de!
Yes, that is a cow’s head surrounded by a wreath of roses. The tin said it was for “chapped conditions and superficial abrasions” and gave directions on how to use the balm after milking.
WHAT?
It got even better after I saw the picture of udders on the side and read the “special directions”:
“For use on cows, thoroughly wash treated teats and udder with separate towels before each milking. To avoid contamination after each milking, bath the udder with plenty of hot water, strip milk out and dry skin. Apply BAG BALM freely and massage gently with this proven ointment twice daily. This product contains no alcohol.”
LOLOLZ! You better believe I bought that tin on the spot.
I owned no farm animals in need of udder moisturization, so when I got home I really didn’t know what to do with it. For kicks that night I ended up putting a layer on my feet before bed. And, girl, what a happy surprise! Bag Balm is a fantastic moisturizer. My dry heels were velvety soft in the morning.
Around since 1899, Bag Balm is a salve made from a short list of ingredients — 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate 0.3% in a petrolatum, lanolin base. It’s thick and greasy, like a cold stick of Crisco, and it’s stinky, too; the scent reminds me of a mix of old, musty books and fresh street tar. Despite these not-so-attractive factors, my feet can’t live without it because it’s incredibly moisturizing.
I’ve also read that it’s popular for chapped and irritated skin and as a post-tattoo skin soother. ‘Tis cheap, too. One huge 10 oz tin runs about $6.00 and lasts forever. I’ve barely used half of the tin I bought three years ago!
I keep a tin under my couch, so as I’m watching TV before bed I can slather on a layer, massaging it into my feet while paying attention to my heels and cuticles. Then, I’ll pull on a pair of toe socks to keep my feet toasty, and the warmth seems to intensify the moisturization process.
In the morning my tootsies are super soft! Yes, it still weirds me out a little to think that this is also used for a cow’s private parts but whatever, it works.
Aren’t you glad the weekend is here? Tonight El Hub and I are going into SF for my friend’s birthday party. We’re all going to a Puerto Rican restaurant and I can’t wait to get my grub on. Carbs, here I come!
Got any exciting plans? I hope they involve some fierce makeup!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I just found your blog and I am loving it!! I have added it to my favorites. Can you do a review of the Neutrogena Skin Rejuvenator or Wave. Dove also has this same kind of gadget. I think they are knockoffs of the Clarisonic gadget. (Oprah favorite)
Bag balm is also the best for a baby’s diaper rash! Our ped told us to use this when regular diaper creams were not working. Gotta love a multi-purpose product!
This post is … the words escape me. Karen you are one crazy woman. I love this! I don’t live by Walgreens but there is a pet store by my apartment. I wonder if they have Bag Balm. =)
Girlfriend, you are braver than I am! I just can’t get past the whole udder thing. But I laughed out loud at your review! 🙂
Wow….wow. lol I’m gonna have to look for that, I have dry heels. 😛
I just found your blog yesterday, and I am totally in love!
Karen, I just discovered your blog a week or two ago, and it’s my absolute *favorite* beauty blog (and I’ve read quite a few). I started reading your archives (I’m currently on September) because your posts are so entertaining and you crack me up. The product reviews are great (I also have a MAC addiction). Plus, I love that you’re in the Bay Area because I went to Berkeley, and although I moved away a while ago, I still miss it and the Bay Area holds a special place in my heart… plus when you mention place names I totally know where they are.
Oh my gosh. Bag Balm! My mom has been using this for years and I used to use it a lot in college where I lived in a very dry dorm. It’s great for super dry skin, especially in Midwest winters.
I have a bad memory of this product, though. My Freshman year of college, I kept a tin of Bag Balm on the water heater cover in my dorm (really old school). Anyway, I left for a weekend in the Fall and apparently the college turned the heat on while I was away. Well, when I got back, my room smelled like some horrible funk. Apparently the Bag Balm melted in the tin when the heater turned on and the stuff oozed its way all over my heater, floor and bed. There was this terrible greasy residue in my room for the rest of the school year. I haven’t used it since because the smells brings back some bad memories…
Have a great weekend! We’re expecting some great snowfalls here, so I’m excited to get a few days locked up in the house with my husband and daughter.
I used to use this all the time growing up in central NY, where it is cold and dry from October until April. I haven’t needed it here in Delaware.
Bag Balm is great, but I can’t stand the EA 8-hr cream, which has a similar nasty odor. People rave about the 8-hr cream and even recommend it for use on the face. No thanks!
hi there – bag balm is a totally awesome product 🙂 much like A&D ointment (yes, the stuff you use on babies for diaper rash), it really helps moisturize skin…though I’m more partial to the A&D because it doesn’t smell as funky. Also good for cyclists that have unfortunate mishaps on a ride and end up a little chafed, haha.
that balm packaging jar is so huge. have you heard of lucas paw paw??
Hi Karen!
That jar of Bag Balm looks a little crazy! Enough to last a couple of lifetimes! I adore the little frog just kickin’ it with your kick-arse socks too..
Hope you’re having a great time in the city! It’s too cold for me to go out but I’m heading out to the BF’s company holiday party tomorrow. I better look HOT, yo! Gotta go get some new makeup – it’s the perfect excuse for me to go spend some moola on myself 🙂
Hey Karen! Thanks for the post! I’ve seen those tins around, but I never paid attention to what was on it or what it’s for. hehe But I have tried the Mane & Tail shampoo and conditioner. Didn’t really work for me, but it was pretty entertaining to see horse products for human use. hehe I hope you enjoy your night out!
I saw this and it reminded me of you!!
http://specktra.net/f185/my-collection-28498/
[the 1st picture]
Wow Karen! Incredible that miracles for your feet just happens to be soothing on cow udders, lol!!! I do the same thing with my toesies except I just have a regular cream. But for shits and giggles, I wouldn’t mind telling people that I use cow udder cream for my soles, hah.
Girl you’re too cool for words. I’m so glad I’ve found your blog, I learn all kinds of fun stuff.
I loved the little green frog, by the way! Cool socks! I will give this product a try on my next visit to CVS or Walgreens, thank you for the tootsies tip!
XoXo
– JeDa21
Okay, I’m died. I’m not only dying at the Bobby Brown pic but at the frog sayin’,”What it do”…..Lord help me because you are TOO funny!!
So yeah…when I was younger and before my cousins used to wash my hair with that Mane N Tail stuff (because it was cheap) and we never thought much about it. Especially livin’ in Miami….weren’t no damn horses around. It wasn’t until I was older that I knew it wasn’t quite for the nappy Black girls’ hair. Yeah. Sad.
I do love you though. You always have me crackin’ up.
Hi Andrea,
Aww, thanks! I’m so honored that you added the blog to your faves! That’s awesome.
I’ve heard about the Clarisonic thingy but haven’t really checked it out. Lemme do some research and see what I can find. 🙂
BTW, I like Oprah, too.
Hey Melissa,
Wow, who would’ve thunk that a product for cow’s udders could be so versatile. Good for the cows, babies, and dry ole’ feet, ha!
Hey SarahM,
Who knows! Maybe the pet store will carry it if they cater to folks with farm animals…ya never know! 😉
Hi Beauty 411,
Yeah, it’s pretty gross, I know. But what can I say? It works.
Glad I could get you to laugh. Hope to see you back soon! 🙂
Hiya Cherrysmex23,
Great to meet you! Yeah, this cow’s udder cream will work some miracles on your heels (if you can get over the stink!).
I’m glad enjoy the blog because I love writing it. 🙂 Take care and had a good weekend.
Turpnut,
Hey girl! I hope you are all comfy and cozy in your house with your fam. I’ve never lived in a place with snow, ever. My hub and I were walking to the gym this morning and it was in the low 50s and I couldn’t hang; no cold weather for me. But snowfalls sound like a great excuse to spend lots of quality time with your loved ones.
Isn’t it crazy how certain smells can bring back memories, both good and bad? I couldn’t imagine living in a room with residual eau de Bag Balm, oy. My freshman year dorm room smelled like laundry soap – my roommate and I were right across from the laundry room. BTW, what did you study in school?
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 🙂
Hi AshB,
It’s nice to meet another “Bay Area” girl! I’m really glad you found the blog and that you enjoy reading it. I’ll try not to feed your MAC addiction too much, LOL. I can’t guarantee it, though!
Do you have any favorite MAC products? Mine are the 266 brush, Fluidlines, Technakohls, and the Mineralize Eye Shadows (for now.)
Aww, E.D., why no love for the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour! I love that shizz. For some reason it’s less stinky to me thank the Bag Balm, which reminds me smells stuffy gym shoes.
Hi Mayaari,
I’ve never tried the A&D, but should I ever finish my Bag Balm tin (sadly it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen anytime soon) then it’s next on my list.
OMG, sports chafing. Don’t get me started. I should’ve known about this stuff when I ran a half marathon a few years ago. Things took a bad turn around mile 10 when the chafing set in! So not cute.
Anyway thank you for popping by and saying hi! Hope to see you back soon.
Hi Sandy,
Yes, that tin is crazy big. It’s gonna take YEARS to finish it. I’ve never heard of Lucas Paw Paw, but it sounds intriguing. Does it have anything to do with actual PAWS? LOLOL!
Hi Nilla,
Hope you had fun at the party! (and I hope you had extra fun buying new makeup.) Did they serve food or have an open bar? I hope so!
Last night was fun but cold. We went to a Puerto Rican restaurant in the mission (it was just okay, not my fave) but it was good to see my friends. 🙂
Hi Vera 🙂
My nite out was fun, thanks for asking. It’s been a while since I’ve been out (been working a ton!) so it was nice to have a relaxing evening with friends I haven’t seen in a long time.
That’s cool that you tried the Mane & Tail! If you had a horse you guys could totally share, ha! I hope it smelled good at least. 🙂
Anyway hope you’ve been well and that things in the lab haven’t been too stressful. Take care.
NIFTY, that pic was frickin RAD. I’m so jealous of that girl’s Craftsman! Sadly, I’d need about three of them at the least. 🙂
Hey Mrs. Lynne,
You should do it! It might freak people out but hey, it lasts forever and who knows…maybe in the future you’ll have a cow and you’ll need to use it on her. (You never know!). I don’t think I’ll EVER finish my tin. It’s gonna go with me into the next lifetime, LOL.
Are you and your babies feeling all better? I hope so!
Aww, thanks Jessica D! I am so glad that you popped by to say hi! Lemme know if you ever give Bag Balm a try and if you like it. 🙂
Have a good weekend!
Divine Blackness!
I must confess, after I put that Bobby Brown pic up I listened to “Don’t Be Cruel” a few times, ha! Back in the day Bobby wasn’t my favorite, I actually thought Ralph Tresvant was cuter. (Remember that song, “Sensitivity”?) I wonder what happened to him.
Yeah, I hear ya on using cheap shampoo and not knowing any better. My mom had stick straight hair and she really didn’t know what to do with my wavy hair, so she always ended up buying cheap volumizing PRELL, so I had bad, frizzy hair from about birth to sophomore year in high school. Tragic!
Are you originally from Miami? I’ll be in Florida (Miami, I think) next January for my best friend’s wedding. You’ll have to tell me where the good places are to shop!
I studied Public Relations.
Hey Karen,
It’s always nice to catch up with friends – glad you had a nice time (despite the food)! I haven’t gone to the Mission in a while but there is this one Spanish tapas place that’s pretty yummy. It’s called Ramblas – you should check it out sometime, the paella is YUM!
We had fun at the holiday party – they limited us to two drink coupons but they came around with wine during dinner a couple of times so it was all good!
Oh Karen, I don’t think anything can stop the addiction now. It’s out of my hands. If the cosmetics gods want me to have another 217 brush, then I have to go get it, right?
hmmm, favorite MAC… Well, I LOVE Woodwinked eyeshadow (so versatile). The various types of kohl eyeliners by MAC are the best (I love them all for their own unique characteristics. They’re like my children). Teddy and Graphblack are my favorites. I just bought Poison Pen yesterday and I already know I’m going to use it a lot, it’s my favorite of Matte2. Oh, and lipgelees are so smooth and non-sticky and they smell like marshmallows. The list could go on and on.
Hi Tuprnut,
That’s cool! I used to work in PR back in the day…it was during the time where nobody pitched via e-mail. I had to call reporters on the phone, lol. E-mail and the web seems to have really changed the industry.
Hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
Hi Nilla,
I’ve eaten there before, it’s pretty good. Next time you drive up through Marin to go to Sonoma you should stop by Sol Food in San Rafael, which has yummy Puerto Rican fare.
Glad you had fun at the party. I hope the food was good!
Hi AshB,
I love the Lipgelees! I have a whole bunch from last year’s holiday collection. Do you have a favorite in the regular line? I wanna get a few more.
Woodwinked is the BEST! It’s one of my work horse shadows, and is up there with Soba, Rice Paper, Vex and Club.
And yes, you need that second 217!
My favorite lipgelee is Jellybabe. I don’t wear highly pigmented lipsticks/glosses– I usually wear more makeup on my eyes and keep the lips natural. So Jellybabe is perfect because it has a really sheer rose color.
I use Woodwinked in so many ways and over/under so many other colors– I use it pretty much everyday, day or night.
And LOL I bought the second 217, but then decided that I didn’t *really* need it so I exchanged it for Poison Pen eyeshadow yesterday. And at the MAC store I was at, there was a Pro tour seminar with one of their national makeup artists. I was just looking at eyeshadows when the MA came up to grab a shadow, and he told me that I was pretty had very striking features. My response: I started drooling and and replied “heeeiinnnnngh” and then I passed out. It made my year.
Aww, aren’t you cute! Sounds like you got a lil’ starstruck. 🙂
Every MAC national artists I’ve ever met is so cool and very approachable! I love those MAC seminars; I always learn so much.
What do you pair Woodwinked with? I’ve been loving it in the crease with Black tied on the lid.
OH, and thanks for the Jellybabe rec! I still haven’t exchanged my stuff for Back to MAC so maybe they’ll let me snag a Lipgelee instead of a lipglass!
So many ways to use Woodwinked:
– With a light hand for a very natural look (I use this daily)
– With a lot on, it looks just like Indianwood paint pot, but easier to apply/blend.
– Over Constructivist paint pot is one of my favorite uses– it makes a really pretty shimmer dark bronze color.
– Over Moss Scape paint pot, it creates a dupe of Sumptuous Olive eyeshadow (a really pretty shimmery olive/khaki green), which is unfortunate because I’ve been jonesing to buy that.
– Paired with Showstopper of Smoking (from the smoking eyes quads. For day I’ll put the darker shades on the outer third of my lid. For night I’ll put the darker shade at my lashline and blend it into Woodwinked at the crease.
Oops! I posted too soon. Those are the ways I’ve figured out to use it. Do you have any pairings that you recommend?
Omg! Bag balm! So my mom picked this up from our derm for her dry lips, and I relentlessly teased her for using the, what I like to call, “Utter Butter”. But wow, how I ate my words. This stuff is ahhhmazing. I use vaseline too, which my mom teases me for, but this bag balm stuff stays on and makes my lip utterly (ha!) smooth, supple, and baby soft. It’s just crazy! I didn’t know anyone else knew about it. Yay for Utter Butter!
Hi AshB,
Those are great suggestions! I can’t wait to try them.
Right now I really like Woodwinked as an allover wash, and then tightlining the upper and lower lash line with Blacktrack Fluidline. I then use a few layers of mascara. It’s simple, yet sassy. I like to wear that look with peachy/gold blush and neutral/nude lips.
I like it with greens, too. I’ve been mixing and matching with lots of olive/khaki shadows from different brands. I’ll put Woodwinked over the entire lid, and then put the olive/green shade from the lash line and barely into the crease. I’ll then line with a green liner or a black liner. Soooo pretty!
I have used BagBalm on my hands and I also find it works well on my creepy neck.
Hey Chicklet,
I like it on my hands too – I just wish it wasn’t so stinky, ya know?
I have just come across your blog because of the beauty bulletin title, and bag balm is udderly fantastic!
I have one of those big tins too, I have had mine for at least five years and have only just started to see the bottom! I know that people think it smells weird, I just think that it doesn’t smell particularly nice. I use it as my lip balm mainly, and then for the dry spots I get over the crazy Canadian winters. I have even turned a few of my friends onto Bag Balm, and I refill my best friend’s little pot whenever she runs out… I cannot be without it, I keep a little pot of it in every purse. Bag Balm is my beauty staple! Ever hear of the interview that Shania Twain did with some british mag where she said her beauty secret was Bag Balm? The person who interviewed her wrote it as “Bag Bomb” so no one could figure out what it was…
Your blog is fab, love it! (Sorry for such a long post, but I REALLY love my Bag Balm)
Hi Claire Isabel,
Your extra long comment was super rad. I love it when people are passionate about their faves – especially when the product is for dual animal/human use, LOL.
I never heard of Shania rocking the Bag Balm, and that cracks me up that the editors/fact checkers didn’t catch it. “Bag Bomb,” what the hell?
Anyway, stay warm up north, my friend! For me 40 degrees is practically polar territory so I give you props for holding it down during the winter!
Great site !! I am so glad I discovered it atleast now! I love the way you write and the cute little captions – so entertaining and informative! Totally lovin it!1
Indian Girl’s last blog post..More Lippies!!!
hey karen! just a fun fact- my grandfather’s cousin invented bag balm! we always have it in the house and i took a family trip to vermont to the bag balm factory a few years ago. stuff is great, glad you enjoy it too! and my dad uses the maine n tail lotion on his hands (he’s a big car junkie and gets real dry and chapped) i approve of animal products like you do 🙂
I’ve been using this since I was a little kid. My mom used to slather it on any skin irritation my brother and I had growing up.
Now I keep a small tin in my purse where ever I go, I use it as a lip balm. It keeps my lips oh-so-soft. And maybe it’s just because I’ve been using my whole life, but I love the scent.
Zoes last blog post..magic gardens
haha i just read about Bag Balm in this book “Girl of the Moment” (not the best book. so i googled Bag Balm, i guess ill have to go buy some now. 🙂
I was using your Bag Balm on my granddaughters diaper rash one day when I remembered I use to use it on my hands & feet. I had left my special facial creams home & my face was looking pretty wrinkled & old. I thought I would try the Bag Balm on my face & was glad I did! As I passed a mirror later I noticed my lines had dissapred! I now use it every day on my face,hands,feet,knees,elbows,well you get the picture. Thanks for a wonderful product. It also gets rid of frizzy hair! Keep up the good work.
Hi Julie,
It’s a great product. I will have to try it on my frizzy hair. Thanks for the tip!
Bag Balm! What an awesome product! When my daughter was little, the owner of the child care recommended it for her diaper rash. Nothing else worked. Now she has a daughter of her own and she is using it too.
I worked in cosmetics for 8 years. I found out recently the products I sold are very toxic. Check out Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Base and check out the skin care and color your are using. It is scary what they are putting in our products. The cosmetic lines I worked for were plant based. I thought they were great for our skin. Boy, was I wrong. The ingredients over time build up in our systems and can cause a lot of health problems including cancer.
I strongly suggest you all check it out. It is a real eye opener.
I love bag balm! I put it on my horses bug bites on her belly near her teats. I think the smell keeps the flies away too. personally, I LOVE the smell. I don’t know why but it makes me super happy.
I got yet another use for this fantastic product. I use it before working out, I layer it on under my sweat band. I know it sounds gross but when I take that thing off it is dripping with sweat. Oh and I do put whatever residue that is left on my hand on my hair and it has never felt so soft. I LOVE BB!!!!
Can anyone tell me if Bag Balm has fragrance or parabens in it? Thanks!!
Girls/Guys, you are missing out. My parents have used Bag Balm for years….father used on
the cattle on our farm. Mother used Bag Balm on everyone for cut, scrapes, sores, moisturizer, bruises and more. B.B. is the best product on the market….enjoy.
Entirely Pets have the lowest prices that I have found $4.19 for a 10oz. tin.
Karen
This may be your first comment from a dermatologist.
Could you send me a real email address? I have a picture for your Bag Balm blog – just took it yesterday in Lyndonville VT – can’t attach it here.
I recommend Bag Balm regularly for patients. Great for dry heels, elbows, feet, lower legs, psoriasis and mildly infected eczema.
MAJOR TRICK – always soak the dry area in plain water first, 3-5 minutes, pat off excess, then apply the Bag Balm.
Why?
‘Cause if you put greasy Bag Balm on dry skin you just have greasy dry skin. There is not much (if any at all) moisture in Bag Balm. Got to get the water into the skin first.
If you hydrate the skin first then SEAL IT IN with Bag Balm (then put on the socks) you will get better and faster results.
No financial interest here – that’s why I don’t/can’t sign my name.
Bag balm is the absolute BEST salve for almost ANYTHING my whole family uses it for any extarnel injury doctors laugh, and give us a sideways glance when we tell them that we used it. They can’t prescribe it, but they encourage it! My mom was in a bad car accident when she was a teenager, my grandpa had paid for all these different medications prescribed to her by a doctor and he got fed up, and used some bag balm, my aunt got a bad jellyfish sting, bagbalm cured it within 24 hours. My uncle nearly sliced his finger off (and after getting stitches) put bagbalm on it, 2 days later, it was almost completely healed! I always have, and always will, use bagbalm.
I’m not gonna lie…..Bag Balm is probably the best lip product I’ve ever used. I know it’s a little weird since we all know it’s meant for cow udders, but for real I smear that stuff on my lips almost every day! It gives them a pretty shine comparable to lip gloss and keeps them from getting dried out, which they do a lot. Also, when you get a cold sore put bag balm on it immediately, it always keeps mine from growing any bigger. It’s great for cuts and dry skin as well, does a good job helping you to heal up. I also hear it’s good for the fingernails…..yep, Bag Balm has it all in the bag!
I love how you explain the smell of it! You’re spot on! Lol!
I’m a guy who used to have very painful cracked heels that NOTHING could cure (I’m also in Reno, NV, and our air is incredibly dry). I would even sand down my heels with a pumice stone in the shower everyday to no lasting effect. I tried expensive lotions. Still, big, deep cracks. But Bag Balm changed my life! 🙂
No more cracks. I put some on my heels and wear old socks to bed, and in the morning, put on a very thin layer of BB under my socks when I dress just to keep things from drying out too much during the day.
I even use it now as a hair wax. I’ve had relatively short hair for years, but recently cut it to around 1/2″. I rub in a super-thin layer of BB, and the individual hairs stand away from each other very evenly all over, giving it a really nice, neatly groomed look, without looking like I put some gross, glossy product in my hair to do the work.
Love this stuff!
I realize this thread is old, but just had to share: those are not roses on the top of the lid of Bag Balm. Those are red clover blossoms surrounded by clover leaves. Lovely smelling plant and all kinds of animals love it–bees, bunnies, AND cows. 🙂
I am what you might call a big-breasted woman which means – especially in the summer – I get a heat rash under you know where. Recently someone mentioned to me how well Bag Balm worked really well on rashes so I thought I would try it for my personal areas. I was amazed at how well this stuff worked literally overnight. It usually completely clears up the rash in a day or two. Sometimes I put it on overnight and occasionally during the day. I use a folded up paper towel tucked up and under so as not to mess up my bra and also to keep the skin from touching on especially hot days. Highly recommend this “utter butter” for our utters too!
We use this a lot in the midwest! It’s good to put on your stomach when you are pregnant. It keeps you from getting stretch marks!