Cold cream is a type of facial cleanser and moisturizer that has been used for centuries to clean and hydrate the skin. It is an emulsion of water and certain fats, usually including beeswax and various scent agents, designed to smooth skin and remove makeup. The specific ingredients and ratios can vary depending on the manufacturer and recipe, but the basic components of cold cream are:
- Water: This is the main liquid component of the cream and helps to hydrate and refresh the skin.
- Oil: Oils such as mineral oil, almond oil, or coconut oil are commonly used in cold cream to provide moisturization and nourishment to the skin.
- Wax: Beeswax is essential to a successful cream, as it is the emulsifying ingredient, but it is extremely inefficient compared to modern emulsifiers. Creams made with only beeswax require extensive mixing and can separate upon standing. Thus, small quantities of borax were later added in addition to the beeswax.
Cold creams that contained a high percentage of mineral oil or petrolatum were regarded primarily as cleansers, to be spread on thickly, then removed with a cloth or tissues. The all-purpose nature of cold cream, which had been its strength, proved to be its weakness. The recognition of different skin types and skin conditions along with the proliferation of skin creams containing ‘beneficial additives’ saw the need for an all-purpose skin cream decline.
Some examples of ingredients in popular cold creams are:
- Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser: Mineral oil, Water, Ceresin, Beeswax, Triethanolamine, Ceteth-20, Fragrance, Behenic acid, Montan wax, Carbomer, Dmdm Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylparaben.
- Ayur Herbal Cold Cream: Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine Stearate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Perfume.
Overall, cold cream is a gentle and effective way to cleanse and moisturize the skin. It remains a popular choice among people who value natural and nourishing ingredients. However, some formulations may contain ingredients that can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals, such as fragrances or preservatives.
