Moisture Dense: Balms, Salves & Pressed Serums
The Balm Boom: Compact Care for the #Everythingshower Era
In September, Claudia Sulewski debuted her Cyklar In-Shower Body Oil Balm on Instagram. Years in the making, the transformative waterless and oil-based balm was designed to melt upon contact with skin in the shower heat. Playing into the ongoing #everythingshower trend, the balm delivers deep nourishment and a healthy glow — without the greasy residue that typically turns consumers off oils.
The balm trend has been building, with influencer Beauty By Sherika waxing poetic about the multiple benefits of Danessa Myrick’s Yummy Skin Moisture Repair Balm Serum. Similarly, waterless salves, such as Blossom Essentials Hydration Repair Honey Salve and Hanni’s Splash Salve (another in-shower moisturizing balm), deliver impressive results in a concentrated format.
One of the latest developments in this direction is Nakery Beauty’s Collagen Cushion “Pressed Serum,” which was named by CNN as one of the 49 Beauty Products Worth the Hype.
Why It Matters: Balms, salves, and pressed serums aren’t just another texture trend — they’re portable, potent, and planet-friendly. Leak-proof formats, such as Hanni’s 1.41 oz travel salve, deliver concentrated impact without the bulk or risk of spillage, perfectly matching the needs of on-the-go, carry-on, and eco-conscious consumers. Waterless formulas also reduce unnecessary fillers, aligning with clean beauty values and lowering shipping weight. In short: these dense hydrators are rewriting the rules of body care, signaling a shift toward high-performance, multifunctional formats that feel indulgent yet practical.
