Cold creams may be an old-school skincare staple but they're still widely used in the UK today. While the traditional recipe consists of a mixture of oil, water and sometimes beeswax, there are plenty of new variations available with added beneficial ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera and glycerin. Plus, many cold creams can be used for a multitude of purposes, from removing makeup and cleansing your face to moisturising dry skin.
Need help shopping for a cold cream? We've got you covered with our buying guide and top 8 ranking featuring bestselling products from brands like Pond's®, Avène and Nivea, all of which are available to buy online at Amazon and Boots. Whether you're looking for something to lock in moisture during those cold winter months or just a gentler way to cleanse your face, check out our recommendations!
Quick List - Top Cold Creams
Embryolisse
A Lightweight 6-In-1 Cream That Can Be Used as a Makeup Primer
Astral®
An Affordable Makeup Remover and Moisturiser in One Handy Tub
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Cold cream, which has been around for thousands of years, is ideal for those with dry skin who need a boost of hydration. Traditionally, it's a mixture of water, oil, an emulsifier and a thickening agent such as beeswax. This formula is designed to preserve the skin's protective hydrolipidic film while it cleanses, refreshes and moisturises.
Due to the equal amounts of water and oil, a cold cream penetrates only the top layer of skin rather than absorbing deeply like a water-based product. The thick formula is perfect for a bedtime skin treatment, which is why certain cold creams are promoted as overnight masks too.
Cold cream can act as a natural barrier for the skin, making it ideal for cold weather in the winter months which can cause dryness. It's also great following a chemical peel or retinol treatment, since it helps to calm inflammation and redness while accelerating the skin's healing process. Try adding a cold cream to your bedtime routine to wake up with softer, more hydrated skin!
Cold creams can be used for a variety of purposes such as cleansing, removing makeup, moisturising and even priming your skin for makeup application. Some creams are formulated especially for the face and will remove makeup effortlessly, whilst others can also be used on the entire body to keep you hydrated from head to toe.
If you're after a streamlined skincare routine or travel frequently then an all-in-one cold cream that functions as both a cleanser and a nighttime moisturiser is a great idea. During the winter months, a multi-tasking cold cream can offer instant hydration relief and protection for the face, hands or any part of the body that is experiencing dryness.
For waterproof eyeliner or mascara that won't seem to budge, try one of these eye makeup removers!
A non-comedogenic cosmetic product is formulated and tested to prevent clogging pores, so it minimises blemishes and acne. As cold creams tend to have a thicker and heavier consistency, using one that isn't non-comedogenic could result in breakouts even if your skin isn't oily or acne-prone.
However, just because a cream is rich or heavy, that doesn't automatically mean it will clog pores. Thoroughly washing your face after cleansing or removing makeup can also help to prevent the creams from trapping any bacteria or grime underneath. So, while we recommend opting for a non-comedogenic cream, adequately cleansing the skin is important too when it comes to preventing breakouts.
Why not browse our favourite non-comedogenic foundations too?
Since cold creams are meant to be gentle on the skin, they should ideally be made from oil and water with no additives or ingredients that can be irritants. However, some brands like to use synthetic fragrances or menthol to add a scent to their product. Also, preservatives like parabens and alcohol may be present but these can cause an allergic reaction or dehydrate your skin.
So, if you have skin that's easily irritated, opt for a cold cream that's specially formulated for sensitive skin and therefore free from menthol, alcohol synthetic fragrance or parabens.
Milk cleansers are another gentle yet effective way to cleanse sensitive skin.
Many cold cream recipes include animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax (cera alba) and lanolin, with the former being used as an emulsifier and the latter helping the skin to retain moisture. While these ingredients are considered vegetarian, they aren't suitable for vegans.
To ensure that no animals have been harmed or exploited in the overall manufacture of the cold cream that you buy, you'll also want to look for the Leaping Bunny symbol or check if the brand has cruelty-free status.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pond's® Cold Cream Cleanser|99 g | ![]() | The Classic Non-Comedogenic, Hypoallergenic Cold Cream | |
2 | Nivea Creme|200 ml | ![]() | Provides Intensive Moisture From Head to Toe for the Whole Family | |
3 | Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré|75 ml | ![]() | A Lightweight 6-In-1 Cream That Can Be Used as a Makeup Primer | |
4 | Astral® Original Intensive Moisturiser|500 ml | ![]() | An Affordable Makeup Remover and Moisturiser in One Handy Tub | |
5 | The Seated Queen Cold Cream Cleanser | ![]() | A Nourishing Cleanser and Night Mask That's Perfect for Busy People | |
6 | Weleda Deep Moisture Facial Balm|30 ml | ![]() | An All-Natural Moisture Balm for Rehabilitating Dry Skin | |
7 | Avène Cold Cream|40 ml | ![]() | Calms Inflammation and Moisturises Sensitive Skin | |
8 | Noxzema® Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream|349 g | ![]() | Deeply Cleanses the Face, With a Slight Tingling Sensation |
Having been around since 1907, this is the classic product by Pond's® that often springs to mind when cold creams are mentioned. It's incredibly popular with celebs and can even be found on Kylie Minogue's dresser!
Since this formula is 50% moisturiser, it doesn't dry up your skin like other products might after cleansing. Instead, it effortlessly removes impurities and makeup, leaving your skin soft and hydrated. Although it does contain some potential irritants, the formula is advertised as hypoallergenic so it should be suitable for most skin types!
Another classic that has been on the shelves since 1911, Nivea's Creme is loved by many due to its versatility. Enriched with Eucerit, panthenol and glycerin, it provides your skin with a hefty dose of moisture.
This product is perfect to have on hand for the entire family for instant relief from dry skin and hydration from head to toe. Although it's intended to be a moisturiser, some users claim that this formula is also great for cleansing the skin, removing makeup and conditioning your hair — the possibilities are endless with this magic blue tub!
Packed with essential fatty acids, soothing aloe vera and softening shea butter, this cream lubricates dry areas and protects your skin from environmental aggressors. Although it's rich, it has a lightweight texture that will sink into your skin quickly.
All your beauty needs can be covered with this humble tub that's capable of delivering intense hydration to the skin. It cleanses the skin and removes light makeup while preventing moisture loss, plus you can use it as an all-over moisturiser too.
The formula features glycerin and lanolin, which form a protective barrier to help your skin retain moisture, resulting in supple skin. Even if you plan on using it on your whole body as well as your face, this 500 ml tub will surely last you a long time!
There are many reasons to love this multitasking cold cream from The Seated Queen. First of all, it's vegan and made with all-natural, cold-pressed plant oils so you know that it's going to be ultra-gentle. On top of that, it's packed with vitamin E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids to give you a radiant complexion.
It's also very versatile as you can use it as a makeup remover, a hydrating cleanser or an overnight mask! Some customers also enjoy using it as a lip balm. We think this one is perfect for busy bees who are after a straightforward skincare routine or those who travel frequently and want to pack light.
If you're after a cream that's made up of natural ingredients, look no further than this one from Weleda! Sweet almond oil replenishes the lipid layer, while beeswax creates a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Free from artificial fillers such as silicones, preservatives, synthetic dyes or fragrances, this is one of the most gentle options on our list so it's ideal for those with sensitive skin. The small bottle is a bit small but that makes it great for keeping in your bag for a quick hydration hit, especially during the colder months.
This highly nourishing yet calming cold cream is perfect for those who are prone to irritation. It's made with beeswax and Avène's renowned thermal spring water which alleviates inflammation while simultaneously softening your skin.
Especially during the drier seasons when your skin is in need of ample moisture, this cold cream is able to reinstate protective lipids in order to prevent dryness. It's quite expensive for such a small tube but we think the high-quality ingredients are worth the price.
Infused with a combination of anti-inflammatory eucalyptus oil and antioxidant-rich soybean and linseed oils, this formula aims to refresh and invigorate your complexion. It penetrates deep into the pores to melt away dirt, oil and makeup while delivering intense hydration.
The addition of menthol provides a slight tingling sensation so we recommend avoiding the eye area as it may sting. Those with a sensitive skin complexion may also want to avoid this one. If you have normal skin though, this product is superb for a deep yet moisturising cleanse.
Written and Researched by Audrey Tan
No. 1: Pond's®|Cold Cream Cleanser|99 g
No. 2: Nivea|Creme|200 ml
No. 3: Embryolisse|Lait-Crème Concentré|75 ml
No. 4: Astral®|Original Intensive Moisturiser|500 ml
No. 5: The Seated Queen|Cold Cream Cleanser
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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