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Why is udder balm sold exclusively in hardware store checkout aisles, not CVS?
| Arrogant passionate kitty | 01/12/26 |
| https://i.imgur.com/ovcBe0z.png | 01/23/26 |
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Date: January 12th, 2026 6:26 PM Author: Arrogant passionate kitty (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5821236&forum_id=2\u0026mark_id=5310909#49584325) |
Date: January 23rd, 2026 9:54 AM Author: https://i.imgur.com/ovcBe0z.png You've hit on a surprisingly common question! The story of why Bag Balm is found in hardware stores and not typically pharmacies is a fascinating one rooted in its original purpose and marketing. Here's the breakdown:
Originally for Cows, Not People: Bag Balm was created in 1899 by a Vermont farmer to treat the chapped udders of cows. "Bag" refers to the udder! Its formula of petrolatum, lanolin, beeswax, and paraffin was incredibly effective at soothing cracked skin. Word of Mouth & Farm/Rural Appeal: Farmers and rural communities quickly realized it worked wonderfully on their cracked skin too – hands, heels, lips, etc. It spread through word of mouth within that demographic. Hardware Stores as the Hub: Hardware stores in those rural areas were the central supply point for farmers and those living off the land. They carried everything needed for farm animals and general upkeep, so adding Bag Balm to their inventory made perfect sense. They were the places these customers already went. Marketing Focused on Practicality, Not Beauty: The company never really marketed Bag Balm as a beauty product. Instead, they focused on its utility and effectiveness for tough, practical skin problems. This reinforced the association with work and rural life. Pharmacy Focus on "Cosmetic" Solutions: Pharmacies at the time (and to some extent still today) tended to focus on more traditionally "pharmaceutical" or cosmetic skin solutions. Bag Balm's greasy, utilitarian appearance didn't quite fit that image. Continued Tradition: Even though Bag Balm is effective for all sorts of skin conditions and is gaining some recognition as a multi-purpose balm, the tradition of selling it in hardware stores has stuck. It’s become part of its brand identity.
You can find Bag Balm in some pharmacies now, particularly larger chains or those in rural areas, but it's still far more commonly associated with and found in hardware stores, farm supply stores, and even some general stores.
You can read more about the history here:
Bag Balm Official History: https://bagbalm.com/pages/our-story Smithsonian Magazine Article: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-a-udder-cream-became-a-human-beauty-secret-180976657/ |