Beauty Blog

Where I live, it’s getting pretty cold and dry outside. I went to the drugstore in search of a good moisturizer because the spaces between my fingers were dry and cracked. I was browsing and debating between several $15 lotions when I came across that old familiar green can–Bag Balm. The cow on the lid of the can proves that yes, this stuff really IS for cows. The “bags” they are referring to are the udders:

“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.”

She looks good!

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to slather something on that is meant to sooth udders but I bought the $3 can and brought it home. That night, I slathered it on my hands and feet and I can tell you now: This stuff is GREAT. It’s super thick and greasy, so beware, but it moisturizes like nothing I have ever used before. It’s like a thicker and more moisturizing version of Vaseline. The smell is definitely not pretty, but it’s not offensive either.

I wouldn’t use it on my face, but for the hands, feet, elbows and knees it is AWESOME and the price can’t be beat!

Shop for more moisturizers at Smarter.com.

Bag Balm $8.95 (10 oz), Udderly Smooth $4.50 (12 oz)

Honestly, have you ever seen a cow’s udders? They’re pretty gross, but my hands without a heavy dose of lotion could probably give them a run for their money. Yes, it’s true. I’ve been cursed with the driest hands in captivity, an affliction that equals hangnails galore and an intense fear of nail polish remover–ouch! Of course, I’ve tried every cream in the book, throwing money down for the best of the best, but the only thing that has ever really worked for me was originally designed for cows.

Bag Balm and Udderly Smooth are two of the best hand creams ever made, and I would cry if i couldn’t get to at least one of them. Both of them are made to heal the dried, chapped and overworked udders of our bovine friends, but they work wonders for human hands too. My favorite is Udderly Smooth, which doesn’t need to be reapplied too often, but lots of people tout Bag Balm as their fave. It’s really a toss up because both are cheap and they last forever.