Fashion + Beauty

Friday, October 10, 2008

Today in Retro Beauty: What's the deal with cold cream?

So my friend and co-worker Annette and I were sitting around a few weeks ago bemoaning the many, many grooming indignities of modern womanhood: The facial (not to mention other) hair maintenance, the never-ending skin hydration, the constant nail upkeep, etc to infinity. Then we were wondering if maybe it was easier in generations past, when there were not only fewer areas to groom, but fewer magic products and potions to own.
Case in point: Remember cold cream?
Do you know how much this stuff does? OK. Let me fill you in. There are women of our mothers' and grandmothers' generations who seriously used nothing else on their skin. It was just cold cream to take off the makeup, cold cream to moisturize, cold cream to wear overnight with curlers and be a 50's housewife cliché. You know what else? Lots of these women continue into their 70s to have truly amazing skin, soft, supple, not-completely-wizened-like-a-prune-that's been-left-on-the-counter skin.
So what's in cold cream? It's a blend of both water and certain fats, often oils, and it usually includes beeswax. All of these are great for soothing dry skin and also taking off your makeup in a way that is not harsh. Additionally, it leaves your skin feeling cool (hence the "cold" in the name).
And, on top of that, when I asked my favorite dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D. what she thought about this odd, old-timey substance, she replied: "I LOVE cold cream.  It is perfect for dry skin types and Ponds is one of my favorites." Dr. Baumann went on to explain that she doesn't necessarily recommend cold cream for people with oily skin, but that it's a Godsend for those who live in dry climates.
Oh, yeah and a big ass jar of Pond's is just $8.29.
Why aren't we all using this?
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 43
  • DancerDebz's Avatar
    Posted by DancerDebz Tue Jul 1, 2008 12:51pm PDT

    My grandmother has been using nothing but Pond's cold cream ever since she was in her 20's and now she is 90 and her skin is softer than mine! She has never used any eye creams, serums, masks, facials, etc. I guess that proves the wonders of cold cream.

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  • Mish's Avatar
    Posted by Mish Tue Jul 1, 2008 1:56pm PDT

    I LOVE cold cream to remove my makeup! Even eye makeup! Just follow up with a pond's wipe or face wash and i'm squeky clean yet moisturized at the same time! it's amazing!

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  • VERSACE's Avatar
    Posted by VERSACE Tue Jul 1, 2008 3:54pm PDT

    i use this cream but i use the one with the BABYBLUE top and its great

    for takeing makeup off, for keeping your skin moisturized because i have

    dry skin, this cream has helped me so much I LOVE IT.

    Report Abuse
  • lipstickchick's Avatar
    Posted by lipstickchick Tue Jul 1, 2008 6:19pm PDT

    I like Cold Cream.

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  • lipstickchick's Avatar
    Posted by lipstickchick Tue Jul 1, 2008 6:20pm PDT

    P.S. My favorite brand is Noxema.

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  • Ma Teresa E's Avatar
    Posted by Ma Teresa E Tue Jul 1, 2008 10:22pm PDT

    I do like Pond's Cold cream but I have oily skin (t-zone only) and sometimes pimples will just appear on my face.

    Report Abuse
  • mlayaban's Avatar
    Posted by mlayaban Tue Jul 1, 2008 10:33pm PDT

    i loved cold cream it really make my skin so smooth i used to removed make up and as a moisturizer

    Report Abuse
  • Ma Teresa E's Avatar
    Posted by Ma Teresa E Tue Jul 1, 2008 10:38pm PDT

    I do like Pond's Cold cream but I have oily skin (t-zone only) and sometimes pimples will just appear on my face.

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  • tasha41510's Avatar
    Posted by tasha41510 Tue Jul 1, 2008 11:07pm PDT

    i love cold cream!! my mom uses it and im 17 and love the stuff!!

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  • mpborthakur's Avatar
    Posted by mpborthakur Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:37am PDT

    Earlier I used cold cream and satisfied , but now I am not using this cream , specially during summer itis not not make me comfortable.

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Comments 1-10 of 43

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