Bag Balm's Slogans & Taglines

Bag Balm traces its origins to 1899, when a pharmacist in Wells River, Vermont, developed a salve to soothe irritated cows' udders after milking—a condition known as "cake bag." Lyndonville local John Norris acquired the rights to market the product, commissioning the signature green tin that remains iconic today. Originally labeled "veterinary use only," the thick lanolin-based formula—combining petrolatum, paraffin wax, and antiseptic 8-hydroxyquinoline—began crossing into human use by the 1960s for chapped skin, cuts, and dry lips. The brand's ethos has evolved from a farmyard remedy to a versatile skincare staple, captured by the enduring tin promise "Works Wonders on Dry Skin." Celebrity endorsements from Shania Twain in 1999 and Patrick Dempsey broadened its appeal, while a 2024 TikTok resurgence introduced the 125-year-old salve to a new generation as a "slugging" moisturizer. Today, Vermont's Original Bag Balm still earns roughly ten percent of its sales from farmers, while the portfolio has expanded to include lip care and soaps, sold at pharmacies, general stores, and Tractor Supply locations nationwide.