Is Band-Aid Blister Block A Rip Off?

April

Is Band-Aid Blister Block A Rip Off?

Chelsea feels cheated: I just bought a tube of Band-Aid Blister Block, and while it’s working wonders with my new shoes, I’ve got a question. The ingredients listed are hydrogenated vegetable oil, cetyl alcohol, parfum. Did I just buy the most expensive, scented shortening, or is this molecularly different enough to justify the price? I’m not sure how much I’d like to rub Crisco on my feet every morning, but if it does the job just as well, I may just try it!

The Right Brain restores her faith in modern chemistry:
We LOVE questions like this because it shows you’re reading the label to learn about ingredients in your products. You’re already on your way to becoming a smarter shopper!

Have a blister, sister?

Band-Aid Blister Block is indeed composed mostly of hydrogenated vegetable oil, a Crisco-like compound made by adding hydrogen to certain kinds of vegetable oil. But the oil is not alone; it’s combined with cetyl alcohol, a waxy solid.

When the cetyl alcohol and the hydrogenated oil are mixed in the right ratios, they form a stick that gives you the best of both worlds: it’s soft enough to spread easily on your skin, but hard enough to leave a protective layer that doesn’t leave a greasy mess. This protective layer helps the shoe straps slide across your skin without chafing. Ergo, no blister. (Finally, after two years we figured out how to use the term “ergo” in a post!)

Would Crisco alone work just as well as the Band-Aid Blister Block? Maybe, but it wouldn’t give the right balance of lubricity and protection. And it wouldn’t feel as elegant. But hey, if you’re the do-it-yourself type you could give it a try. Or better yet, we can ask Sarah Bellum to do the experiment for us. She bought a pair I mean a few pairs I mean too many pairs of expensive Sergio Rossi shoes on her trip to Europe, so she’s got blisters in her future for sure!

The Beauty Brains bottom line

This product seems like a well-formulated solution for a common problem. But if you feel like you’re getting ripped off because you’re paying for “shortening,” you could try cheaper alternatives (hand lotion? lip gloss?) and see how they work for you. If you find something that keeps you blister-free, let us know and we’ll blog about it!

What do you think? Are blisters from new shoes a big problem for you? Does it bother you enough to buy a special product? Leave a comment and share your shoe stories with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

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18 Responses to “Is Band-Aid Blister Block A Rip Off?”

Potter Says:

I have not had a blister since I bought the blister stick a few months ago. I have one in my purse, my backpack, my office and my bathroom. It is, indeed, the bomb diggity.
Marnie Says:

Body Glide anti-chafing stick works really well. Costs about $10, looks like a stick of deodorant and lasts a long time.
dt Says:

Use the blister block bandages. They are awesome. Not only do they cover the blister and prevent it getting worse they help it heal.
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[...] Trying to break in a new pair of shoes? The Beauty Brains blog about Band-Aid Blister Block. [...]
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[...] Trying to break in a new pair of shoes? The Beauty Brains blog about Band-Aid Blister Block. [...]
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[...] Trying to break in a new pair of shoes? The Beauty Brains blog about Band-Aid Blister Block. [...]
Chic Clicks: The Best of This Week’s Beauty Blogs | Beauty Secrets Blog Says:

[...] Trying to break in a new pair of shoes? The Beauty Brains blog about Band-Aid Blister Block. [...]
caryha Says:

Any silicone hair product does exactly the same thing. I always just use a little shine spray or pomade on my feet and ankles when I wear new shoes and haven’t had a blister in years…
Melissa Says:

Hm, I think I need to tell my friend about this Blister Block stuff. She had a really traumatic experience using Heel Grips in an attempt to prevent blisters. I can testify that her feet did, in fact, look gnarly.
The Science of Prom | The Beauty Brains Says:

[...] you look cute in those heels, but all that dancing is gonna kill your feet! Consider a good blister block if you’re breaking in a new pair of [...]
Debbie Says:

Where can you purchase Band-Aid Blister Block. I’ve looked everywhere and no luck on-line either.

I emailed Johnson and Johnson and they give me a list of websites and stores that don’t have it. I want it !
Kathy Says:

I bought one at Wal-Mart a couple months ago and went back yesterday for another but couldn’t find it again…so I’m trying all the drug/sports stores. It is available lots of places online if you bomb out everywhere else.
vicky Says:

I have also been looking for it everywhere and am wondering if it’s being taken off the market. None of the drugstores have it, and the place I ordered it from online sent me one (I ordered a 4-pack) and they don’t have any more either. What gives? Does anyone know?
Cherry Says:

If I can say there is one product I swear by, it’s the Blister Block. It may be expensive shortening but it is worth every single penny if it means NO blisters. And you can’t beat the fact that it’s a small tube that you can pop in even the smallest handbag. A must. It’s great b/c it PREVENTS blisters rather than you FIXING a blister b/c by then you’ve already got the pain. For me, the blisters don’t come until after leaving home and it’s a great fix to lasting through the day.night.
I am also having a hard time finding it now too and would be sad if it’s discontinued.
In a nutshell - convenient, foot-saver that is worth every penny. At about $5, you can’t beat it.
Tip - On the Band-aid site - you can get a coupon for 75 cents off if you sign up for it. https://www.bandaid.com/couponBlisterBlock.jsp
Jax Says:

I had been wondering that myself and my mom suggested just rubbing deoderant all over my feet (I use dove) and it has done the trick. And keeps my feet fresh. I walk alot (approx 10 miles a day between work and school with no car) and have yet to have a single blister when I remember to apply it all over my foot no matter the shoe!
chubby girl Says:

This is a must have!!! I haven’t found it at any of my nearby drugstores lately and I just ordered a four-pack from “rapid supplies”. Fingers crossed.

Besides keeping my feet blister-free it also keeps my chubby thighs from chafing. Hot summer tempatures means skirts and dresses with no pantyhose, but my thighs could start a fire rubbing together!! With blister block on the contact zone, I glide through the hotest day with ease!!

Please, oh please, keep this on the market!
Karen Says:

What about Chapstick? When you read the ingredients list, they’re practically identical. Has anyone tried this?
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