This Under $10 Skin-Softening Balm Has Been a Staple in My Mom’s Medicine Cabinet for Over 35 Years
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For as long as I can remember, my mom has had a giant tin of Vermont’s Original Bag Balm stashed in her medicine cabinet—and now I swear by it, too. The bright green metal container is filled with a gooey, golden-colored salve that has a potent medicinal smell. Every time I crack it open, I am transported back to my childhood, watching my mom apply the salve to her hands before bed, then pulling socks on (yes, over her hands) to enhance the moisturizing effects (and protect her bedsheets, of course).
As I grew up and began to experience the woes of chapped skin and dry heels for myself (likely from all of my gymnastics classes… and running around the neighborhood barefoot, as kids do), my mom would often reach for that green tin and instruct me to massage the salve into my soles or slather it on my hands before bed. And, when I moved out, it was one of the first things I bought for my own medicine cabinet.
Now, I use it regularly when my heels feel so rough and cracked after a summer spent in sandals and when my hands are chapped from the cold wind in the winter (and, TBH, my crochet hobby—who knew yarn could steal so much moisture from your skin). I’ve even used it on my body to prevent my skin from peeling after a sunburn.
The Best Cream for Cracked Heels & Chapped Hands
Bag Balm has a ton of uses beyond softening dry skin on your hands and feet. It can also be used on split heels, chafed skin, calluses, sunburns, and cuticles. And you can even use it for tattoo care. Additionally, the salve is a great alternative to Vaseline or Aquaphor for slugging—but since it’s so thick, it’s not ideal for oily or acne-prone skin types.
