Like most beauty obsessives, I was completely enamored by Glossier Balm Dotcom when it first launched in 2014. It was one of the brand’s first staple products that catapulted Glossier into millennial pink-laden infamy. It seemed like everyone had a tube of the balm, a universal salve for lips, cracked skin, and dry patches.
Since then, Glossier has seen some major changes. Last year, founder Emily Weiss stepped down as CEO, as the brand seemingly made a push to appeal to Gen Z with Olivia Rodrigo-fronted campaigns. But the biggest news came when Glossier announced it would enter Sephora. After years of being direct to consumer, products would be available in storefronts and online in “early 2023,” so its debut should be imminent.
With all the changes, I wasn’t surprised when I heard Glossier was reformulating one of its most famous and beloved products. I was, however, a bit skeptical. With all the turbulence the brand has experienced in the past few years, Balm Dotcom was still a cult-favorite. Why would the brand want to change it? In other words: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It turns out, Glossier Balm Dotcom 2.0 is still the same formula we’ve all come to know and love. Rather than a complete makeover, Balm Dotcom has gotten “a few touch-ups,” the brand said in a press release, with the biggest changes based on “community feedback, scientific advancements, and regulatory changes.”
This includes a new vegan formula that uses castor jelly, a vegetable-based and renewable moisturizing property, instead of petrolatum, a non-renewable by-product of the petroleum industry. Other ingredients like vitamin E, synthetic beeswax, antioxidants, and natural emollients remain the same.
For those who love Balm Dotcom’s Instagram-worthy packaging, the tube is also mostly unchanged. However, Glossier made an important update by adding a no-touch applicator. “The Glossier community had been vocal about their desire for the do-everything lip balm to have a no-touch applicator,” the brand said, with requests increasing since the pandemic.
Deep breaths: I know change is scary. However, Balm Dotcom devotees will find that the formula is more or less the same, or in my personal opinion, even better. It’s still available in flavors Original, Rose, Mint, Mango, Berry, Birthday, Lavender, and Coconut. Cherry has been discontinued to make way for Wild Fig, a previously limited-edition flavor that was brought back by popular demand. The gorgeous tints are unchanged, giving your lips the perfect kiss of color.
As for differences I noticed, the new formula is definitely less viscous. The original Balm Dotcom seemed to be heavier and paste-like, while Balm Dotcom 2.0 goes on smoother and feels buttery. Other than that, I haven’t seen a huge change in castor jelly versus petrolatum. Some Glossier fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the new formulation, but I think it works just as effectively.
Glossier says that castor jelly is “a little less greasy” than petrolatum, which might be why people may feel a difference in hydration. I’ve never liked heavy lip products, so I didn’t mind the consistency. My lips still feel hydrated and smooth, while the flavors look and taste the same.
