Cold Cream- Brands and advice!

[VanillaT]

Ladies, how do you use cold cream and witch hazel? Do you use it both morning and night, which one do you use first, what are your favorite methods for taking it off (water, cloth, or tissue), etc. I just want to make sure that I am using it right before I pass judgement on it! :-) I just moved to a colder, drier climate and my skin is ultra parched so I figured I would give it a go...

Thank you!

[jitterbugdoll]

I use it morning and night, and if I redo my makeup for an evening event.

I apply it in a thick layer (in the shower in the evenings), let it soak in a bit, and then remove with a warm, damp washcloth. I don't use witch hazel every day--maybe once a week, if that, or if I have a blemish. If your skin is very dry, I would skip this step and apply a good moisturizing cream instead (I love Burt's Bees Marshmallow Vanishing Cream; Nivea cream in the blue tin is also very rich.)

[Rebecca D]

I also use cold cream in the morning and night, and whenever else I want to remove my makeup. Since it doesn't strip my skin, I can use it as often as I please.

In the morning I remove it gently with cotton strips and in the evening with warm water and a soft wash cloth or cotton strips. And since I've begun using cold cream again, rather than benzoyl peroxide cleanser, I no longer have to use liquid makeup – only rice powder and cover stick when needed. I also quit using moisturizer on my face, except for around my eyes where I use the $1.00 Nivea in the blue tin.

My skin has improved a million times since I quit using dermatological chemicals! And it is also much less sensitive to the sun now that I’m no longer stripping it. I buy the Walgreens brand cold cream in the tub, which is cheaper than Ponds, and just as good. As for witch hazel, I don’t use it, but I’ve been thinking about picking some up to use on my t-zone.

[DancingSweetie]

I'm using it just at night and take it off with a warm/hot washcloth. I don't have any witch hazel yet but am going to get some. I probably will only use that once a week or so.

[VanillaT]

Aw. Thanks y'all. I am looking foward to NO MORE DRY, RED SKIN! It makes me wonder why we have all of this "new and improved" stuff now... it seems so harsh. I am definitely going to pick up another tub of Nivea, I used to keep it in my purse for my hands but I am going to try it for the dry spots on my face. jitterbugdoll, I want to try the Burt's Bees cream also, but I am going to have to budget for it! ;-)

[fortworthgal]

Burt's Bees products are wonderful! I swear by them. They have an excellent tinted moisturizer. Speaking of which - Jitterbugdoll, have you tried their vanishing facial powder? The loose powder is white, I would think it would be perfect on your skin.

I've been using cold cream, but quite honestly I usually only use it when I've been wearing heavy makeup. I apply it, let it sit for a minute, then remove with a warm washcloth. I follow up with an astringent because I cannot stand the greasy feel it leaves on my skin. I'm thinking I may try the "cold cream only" diet for a week and see how my skin reacts.

[jitterbugdoll]

I am definitely going to pick up another tub of Nivea,

Make sure you use the blue tin, and not the plastic containers where the product was made in Mexico. The blue tin contains the original formula, which is much better :)

The Burt's Bees cream is around $9, and I love it. Hasn't caused any irritation at all and is nice and smoothing (plus, it smells like bananas!)

I agree with Rebecca in that my skin completely turned around after I stopped stripping it with harsh products. I still wear foundation, but my skin is naturally quite pink and I like the finished look that makeup gives it.

[jitterbugdoll]

Burt's Bees products are wonderful! I swear by them. They have an excellent tinted moisturizer. Speaking of which - Jitterbugdoll, have you tried their vanishing facial powder? The loose powder is white, I would think it would be perfect on your skin.

I've been using cold cream, but quite honestly I usually only use it when I've been wearing heavy makeup. I apply it, let it sit for a minute, then remove with a warm washcloth. I follow up with an astringent because I cannot stand the greasy feel it leaves on my skin. I'm thinking I may try the "cold cream only" diet for a week and see how my skin reacts.

Yes, I have tried their powder-- I didn't like it as well as my usual powder (seemed to kind of sit on top of my skin [huh]) I was excited about their tinted moisturizer as well as the color was so light, but I could never get it to blend in properly/even out the pink tones.

I will say that I have gotten used to the oiler feel of cold cream, and it no longer feels oily. It's so soothing that I love to use it now :)

[Caledonia]

I'm making a skip over from another thread. What is cold cream? Cleanser, skin conditioner, moisturiser? I have a '46 recipe using almond oil, borax, rose oil and something else. The book seems to suggest that all you need is this and an astringent. Any hints? And if I make up a batch, how long does home made cream last? The book seems to miss that part assuming we all knew that back then.

[fortworthgal]

Yes, I have tried their powder-- I didn't like it as well as my usual powder (seemed to kind of sit on top of my skin [huh]) I was excited about their tinted moisturizer as well as the color was so light, but I could never get it to blend in properly/even out the pink tones.

I will say that I have gotten used to the oiler feel of cold cream, and it no longer feels oily. It's so soothing that I love to use it now :)

Yes, the Burt's moisturizer is difficult to blend. It's very thick, almost a paste consistency! I wear it in the winter, but I have to mix it with my regular moisturizer to get a better consistency - which probably wouldn't give you the coverage you're looking for. I have the lightest shade, it is almost white coming out of the tube.

[Tourbillion]

Yes Caledonia, all of the above. I still don't like the feel of it. My skin is oily, especially in this over-warm summer.

However, I do have an old recipe for Rose Water Cold Cream

1 oz white beeswax
1 oz spermaceti (ok this is not available anymore, use Cetyl Palmitate instead)
10 tsp refined odorless castor oil (or sub. almond oil)
1 1/2 tsp borax
2 1/2 tbsp distilled water
1 tsp rose water
2 drops rose essential oil

heat the wax, spermaceti and oil in a double boiler, at same time dissolve borax in the water, add rose water, remove both mixtures from the heat simultaneously. Add water to wax phase, beat vigorously until it cools, add oil of rose.
Put into a jar.

It should last a while if you make sure that you are very clean while making it. Sterilize your containers (you can use alcohol). You can add a preservative if you like at the end, but the most common one, paraben turns into formaldehyde which is not something I would like on my skin.

[fortworthgal]

I'm making a skip over from another thread. What is cold cream? Cleanser, skin conditioner, moisturiser?

Check this out:
http://www.homebasics.ca/viewarticle.asp?articleid=2903

[Fleur De Guerre]

I'm making a skip over from another thread. What is cold cream? Cleanser, skin conditioner, moisturiser? I have a '46 recipe using almond oil, borax, rose oil and something else. The book seems to suggest that all you need is this and an astringent. Any hints? And if I make up a batch, how long does home made cream last? The book seems to miss that part assuming we all knew that back then.

I have no idea how long the home-made variety would last, but if you want to try it out, I buy mine from Boots. It's very cheap (about half the price of Ponds and for about twice as much), plus it comes in an adorable little tub with a tin lid. I love the Boots Traditional skincare range, it just makes me feel glamorous just using it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/missmcgerr/coldcream.jpg

Excuse the dent from when it leapt out of the cabinet one evening!

I only use my coldcream in the evening, I find it too greasy for the morning. But I alternate between removing it with a warm wet cloth and using cotton wool and then washing it off with a very light foaming cleanser. I have to use toner too, for the same reason - it's very rich and soothing, but greasy.

[jitterbugdoll]

Bath and Body Works sells C.O. Bigelow's very expensive version of rose cold cream:
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2109805&cp=2073258.2079003.2185731&page=2&doVSearch=no&pageBucket=0&parentPage=family

They sell a rose water toner too, which I tried and liked fairly well (save for the price :))

[Rebecca D]

I buy mine from Boots. It's very cheap (about half the price of Ponds and for about twice as much), plus it comes in an adorable little tub with a tin lid. I love the Boots Traditional skincare range, it just makes me feel glamorous just using it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/missmcgerr/coldcream.jpg


I've never seen that brand before, but I want it just for the packaging! I wonder if we have that here in the US?

[VanillaT]

Well, my skin must be SUPER dry because even after slathering on cold cream and wiping it off gently with a warm washcloth it (the cold cream) seems to be absorbed right away and is not greasy at all. In fact, I could definitely stand a rich moisturizer afterwards...it's still kinda' dry. It really does look a lot less red and the flakiness is gone. [Sorry if TMI] So I guess the lesson is that everybody's skin is different. No wonder when I use SLS type and foaming cleansers my skin turns into a giant peely, irritated mess. I love the cold cream so far, I am so glad that I read about it here... otherwise I never would have found it (it was on the bottom shelf at the grocery!) I can't wait to try the Burt's Bees cream! Thank you gals and thank you good ol' fashioned-ness!

[magneto]

I've never seen that brand before, but I want it just for the packaging! I wonder if we have that here in the US?

Hi Rebecca, Boots has started selling some of its cosmetics/skincare lines in the U.S. in the past year or two, at CVS and Target stores in certain markets...I think I remember a friend mentioning seeing them here in California somewhere. I don't know if that particular product is in the stuff offered though...but darnit, *I* want that jar myself!

:eusa_clap ...A big thank-you to the thread for the idea to use cold cream in the morning--putting makeup on when your face has dry spots is awful! I wash the CC off with a little face soap, so my face is not greasy but has enough residual moisture to get rid of the flaky bits.

[Fleur De Guerre]

Hi Rebecca, Boots has started selling some of its cosmetics/skincare lines in the U.S. in the past year or two, at CVS and Target stores in certain markets...I think I remember a friend mentioning seeing them here in California somewhere. I don't know if that particular product is in the stuff offered though...but darnit, *I* want that jar myself!

Has it really! I was about to post that I was sure you couldn't buy it over there as it's a chain chemist's own brand. I'm sure I could send some over though if anyone wanted some and couldn't find any!

[Rosebud]

I love the Boots Traditional Range too especially the cold cream!!!

I have found the best way to use it is to put on lots, leave for about a minute and then remove with a hand hot wet muslin cloth. Then soak the muslim cloth in cold water and rinse again, very refreshing !!!

[RetroMom]

I, like my mother before me, swear by Ponds brand cold cream, but sometimes I can't always find it in stock, another alternative that I like (and is also a good value) is Jergen's.

[fortworthgal]

Well, I decided to give the cold cream & witch hazel "diet" a try. I had always figured it would just be way too greasy, but then I also realized that sometimes the simple approach works best, so why not? I set aside my usual foaming cleanser, salicylic acid scrub, astringent, and light moisturizer. I used the cold cream and followed up with witch hazel last night and again this morning in the shower. For a moisturizer, I used a tiny amount of the Nivea cream and just patted it onto my face. All I can say is wow! I'm definitely impressed. My skin doesn't feel greasy at all, it feels great and very clean. Normally when I wake up in the morning, my skin feels very greasy, but not this morning. I think that because of all the harsh products I was using, my skin was probably producing way more oil to compensate. I don't get many blemishes, but I do have a constant battle with blackheads on my nose. I cannot get rid of them no matter what I do, but this morning many of them were gone. I'm going to stick with this for a while and see how it goes. It'll definitely be less expensive! If I want to stick with a "golden era" philosophy, I can still use my Queen Helene mint julep and mud masks as needed, as those are both 1930s products and quite inexpensive.

On the Nivea cream, CVS and Walgreen's both had the small metal tins - but both were made in Mexico. I had to go to Wal-Mart to find the German-made tins. They were less expensive there anyway - 88 cents opposed to $1. So, just make sure you check the back of the metal tin because not all of them are made in Germany. Also, Walgreen's had their brand of cold cream on sale - $3.99 for a 16 oz tub. I picked it up and I do really like it, it seems less greasy than the Pond's and much less costly. Walgreen's also had a big bottle of witch hazel on sale for $1.99.

Also, regarding use of cold cream - all my old magazines recommend applying a layer and then removing it with either a washcloth or tissue, and then "rinsing" with another layer applied and removed. I have also read several ads recommending that the second layer be left on for one minute as a mask. I've tried that and I like it.

[Honey Doll]

We always used cold cream to take off stage make-up when I was in college-- I think that's probably the last time I touched the stuff. Hmmm, with all these rave reviews, might be worth picking up a tin and giving it a try.

Does it contribute to acne? I've been having some real issues with acne on my forehead this summer.

Honey Doll

[CherryRed]

I use Ponds only in the evening to remove makup. I remove it with a warm wet washcloth and then use Oil of Olay's basic toner (which is mainly witch hazel) so I think I will just switch to WH when it is used up. In the morning, I use Olay's basic Alphy Hydroxy cleanser and Olay's original moisurizer.
Since many of you are using CC in the mornings too, with good results, I may give it a try. Every so often I will do an Olay mask to deep clean and a microdermibrasion to remove dead skin.


I don't get many blemishes, but I do have a constant battle with blackheads on my nose. I cannot get rid of them no matter what I do, but this morning many of them were gone.

I turned my 16yr old step daughter on to Ponds and she had the same results after using every kind of black head remover with no success.Now we both LOVE Ponds!:D

[VanillaT]

Yeah, I have heard somewhere before that the only thing that can disolve oil is OIL, so I guess that might explain why it could dissolve the hard oil plugs that blackheads are...

[Caledonia]

Wow, my own question about Cold Cream answered and then some. Thanks ladies. Thanks for the recipe Tourbillion. I'll try that once I've tried a commercial cream first I think. And I love that jar too Fleur. It's off to Boots for me!

[BlancheDubois]

At night I apply Pond's cold cream before getting into the bathtub. The heat from the warm water kind of "melts" it. Afterwards, I remove it with a warm, damp washcloth and follow with Thayer's alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel, then eye cream (L'Oreal currently) and Jergen's All-Purpose Face Cream. I also like the Nivea Creme in the blue tin (Made in Germany).

In the morning I just use Thayer's alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel on a cotton pad, followed by eye cream and then Paul & Joe Protective Foundation Primer SPF 30 before applying my Besame Souffle Foundation and the rest of my makeup. It's quite warm and humid here now. In the winter I use more moisturizer.

[DancingSweetie]

Saw this in the move Rebecca. I wonder if this brand is still available?

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k282/sweetbabykmd/Rebecca1.jpg

[VanillaT]

I haven't seen that type before, but Queen Helene does make one, it is available at Sally's and is called "Triple Whipped" or something along those lines...

[RedShoesGirl]

it probably sounds nuts, but i mix salt or sugar in my cold cream about once a week for a nice dermabrasion. rinse with warm water and regular wash cloth. takes off the dead skin and leaves my skin feeling very fresh. i am older than most of you girls here and need all the help i can get trying to make my skin look good.:)

rsg

[fortworthgal]

Are there any less greasy cold creams out there?

I've been using it morning and night for 2 days now and so far I am loving the results. However, in the mornings I use it in the shower and it is making my bathtub all greasy.

Maybe I'll just have to reserve cold cream usage for the sink area.

[Lauren]

Saw this in the move Rebecca. I wonder if this brand is still available?

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k282/sweetbabykmd/Rebecca1.jpg

I LOVE that movie!! That was such a funny scene. I was like "she's putting out her cigarette in COLD CREAME???

[katiemakeup]

I have oilier skin and have always loved a scrub, but I started to alternate that with cold cream (as a cleanser) about a year ago, and it's great! I'll sometimes get some at the 99 cent store. I usually alternate Witch Hazel & Hydrogen Peroxide as toners.

[Miss Neecerie]

Are there any less greasy cold creams out there?

I've been using it morning and night for 2 days now and so far I am loving the results. However, in the mornings I use it in the shower and it is making my bathtub all greasy.

Maybe I'll just have to reserve cold cream usage for the sink area.


Ponds has a lighter version of a creme, which you might use in the shower and alternate with the regular cold creme...

http://www.pondssquad.com/deep_cleanser.asp

[magneto]

it probably sounds nuts, but i mix salt or sugar in my cold cream about once a week for a nice dermabrasion. rinse with warm water and regular wash cloth. takes off the dead skin and leaves my skin feeling very fresh. i am older than most of you girls here and need all the help i can get trying to make my skin look good.:)

rsg

Actually that sounds like a great idea! it would exfoliate without being harsh/astringent on the skin. And not nuts, considering all those fancy-schmancy "sugar scrubs" and so forth you see on the market nowadays...

[RaasAlHayya]

I noticed that the first ingredient in Pond's Cold Cream is mineral oil, which is something I try to avoid, but I would like to try a cold cream that doesn't have mineral oil in it. So I think I will try Tourbillion's cold cream recipe; it sounds really nice!

--Leslie

[Miss Dottie]

OK--so you are telling me that you all use cold cream in place of a facial cleanser/soap? And then do you put on moisturizer--like and SPF or something afterwards?

I'm just fascinated and very willing to try this. I've only used cold cream to get off stage make up in the past.

This is a fascinating thread and I'd love to try it for getting rid of blackheads too.

You lounge ladies are the best!

[dollfaced]

I just wanted to say thanks again to Jitterbug for recommending Cold Cream to me because my face looks alot better feels better no more painful acne.It makes every pimple crubble right off it's great!I do have to use witch hazel every night but it is very nice and helps with the redness i have on my face.Also i use to use the old fashion jergens with the three womans faces on it, under my makeup i noticd it has the same exact ingredients as ponds so it works to remove makeup as well it smells good to and the cream is pink in color, it might also be cheeper then ponds just thought i would let all the lady's know :) .

[RetroMom]

Just thought I would pass it along, that Vermont Country Store www.VermontCountrystore.com, has Jergens cold cream (or cleansing cream as it is called now) on sale for only $1.99.

Time for me to stock up:)

[CherryRed]

OK--so you are telling me that you all use cold cream in place of a facial cleanser/soap? And then do you put on moisturizer--like and SPF or something afterwards?

I'm just fascinated and very willing to try this. I've only used cold cream to get off stage make up in the past.

This is a fascinating thread and I'd love to try it for getting rid of blackheads too.

You lounge ladies are the best!

Yes, Ponds replaces your regular soap or cleanser. I use Oil of Olay moisturizer in the day, and Olay night cream at night.

[VanillaT]

I used to be afraid of mineral oil too, but recent studies have shown that mineral oil is not comedongenic! See below:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=25025

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/106/108253.htm

I have "acne-prone" skin and using cold cream (with mineral oil) has not caused me any breakouts!

Also, even if ya' like her or hate her, here is what Paula Begoun "cosmetics cop" has to say about it:

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SKIN&ID=47

[RaasAlHayya]

That makes my life easier...thanks for the links, Miss Vanilla!

--Leslie

[Miss Dottie]

Yes, Ponds replaces your regular soap or cleanser. I use Oil of Olay moisturizer in the day, and Olay night cream at night.

I'm going to Walgreens to pick up some RIGHT NOW! I'll make sure to get the blue tin of nivea too--metal and not made in Mexico.

You ladies are the best!

Thanks an bunch!

[DancingSweetie]

I just went to Walmart and bought the Nivea tin, but all they had was the kind made in Mexico. It is too greasy for my face, but I am going to use it on my elbows and hands. My hands look older than I do. I will try Walgreens next time though.

[fortworthgal]

Ponds has a lighter version of a creme, which you might use in the shower and alternate with the regular cold creme...

http://www.pondssquad.com/deep_cleanser.asp

I almost bought this last time I was at the store, but I notice that it contains alcohol and more ingredients than the regular cold cream, and it didn't get very positive reviews on MUA. My solution was to just use the cold cream in the sink and not in the shower/bath area, as it just makes things too greasy and slippery.


OK--so you are telling me that you all use cold cream in place of a facial cleanser/soap? And then do you put on moisturizer--like and SPF or something afterwards?

I'm just fascinated and very willing to try this. I've only used cold cream to get off stage make up in the past.

This is a fascinating thread and I'd love to try it for getting rid of blackheads too.

You lounge ladies are the best!

I've been using it for about a week now. I cast aside all my regular soaps, foaming cleansers, scrubs, and toners, and vowed to use only cold cream and witch hazel on my face (along with my staple Queen Helene masks). I'm very impressed with the results. My skin looks much more clear, moisturized, feels fantastic, and my blackheads are almost entirely gone - not a small feat! I apply a layer of cold cream, wash it off with a warm washcloth (exfoliating gently), then apply a second layer and let it soak in for 1-2 minutes. In many of my WWII-dated women's magazines, the ads for Pond's recommend this as a "One Minute Mask." Then I rinse it with a warm washcloth and apply witch hazel toner on a cotton pad to remove any excess greasiness. My skin is producing much less oil than it was before and I only have to use a tiny amount of moisturizer if any.

[Miss Dottie]

I apply a layer of cold cream, wash it off with a warm washcloth (exfoliating gently), then apply a second layer and let it soak in for 1-2 minutes. In many of my WWII-dated women's magazines, the ads for Pond's recommend this as a "One Minute Mask." Then I rinse it with a warm washcloth and apply witch hazel toner on a cotton pad to remove any excess greasiness. My skin is producing much less oil than it was before and I only have to use a tiny amount of moisturizer if any.

A-ha! For some reason I always pictured cold cream as more of mask. I'll have to try it.

I always think of those old cartoons or scenes in 1930s/40s movies when a lady runs out of the house in her dressing robe, hair in either rag curls or pin curls and a heavy layer of cold cream on her face. Now I fear I'm turning into that! Hee hee!

[Paisley]

The Pond's cold cream is also a good eye makeup remover. Why is it cold cream? It feels warm on my skin.

I use Queen Helene mint julep mask, too. For an exfoliant, I use Jason's tea tree oil liquid soap and a bit of corn meal with some water. Refreshing!

[DancingSweetie]

That's funny, it always feels cold to me.

[Miss Crisplock]

If I remember correctly it is "cold" cream because it is cold processed. Prior creams used organic (animal-tallow) fats or wax (beeswax) that had to be melted when mixed. Cold cream developed in 1907 uses mineral oil in its Water-in-Oil mixture along with surficants to bind the water to the oil.

As I said, this is what I remember, but would have to look it up to be positive.

[Miss Dottie]

Yeah, I have heard somewhere before that the only thing that can disolve oil is OIL, so I guess that might explain why it could dissolve the hard oil plugs that blackheads are...

Yeah--kinda like dry cleaning.

And the mineral oil made me think about that Bare Escentuals line of make-up products taht supposedly are so easy on your skin that it actually will improve your skin. Hmmm...I wonder what minerals are used to make mineral oil. I bet there is some connection...

[Miss Crisplock]

Mineral oil or liquid petrolatum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. It is a chemically inert, transparent, colorless oil composed mainly of alkanes and cyclic paraffins, related to white petrolatum (better known to us as Vasoline). Mineral oil is a substance of relatively low value, and it is produced in very large quantities. Mineral oil is available in light and heavy grades, various levels of refinement, and can often be found in drug stores with fragrance marketed as "baby oil".

[Tourbillion]

Miss Crisplock, I don't see how you could cold process cold cream, it contains beeswax or parafin (Ponds uses beeswax). You have to process those with heat since they are solids. Right?

So, why is it called cold cream?

[VanillaT]

Goodness only knows if this is correct, but it is the only explanation I could find (with a few bonus recipes! :) )

http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/HoneyColdCream.htm

[Daisy Buchanan]

The Pond's cold cream is also a good eye makeup remover. Why is it cold cream? It feels warm on my skin.

I use Queen Helene mint julep mask, too. For an exfoliant, I use Jason's tea tree oil liquid soap and a bit of corn meal with some water. Refreshing!
I swear by Ponds. My mom and Granny have been using it forever,, they both swear by it. It is a great make-up remover. I also use the ponds cleansing pads, soft little pads that have a cleanser built in. Just add water, and they are very gentle on the skin and great make-up remover. Dove makes a very gentle face cleanser pad like this too that works very well.

I think that it makes my face feel pretty cool, but that's just my opinion. I like the smell of it. It reminds me of being a kid, when my mom would come and tuck me in just after putting Ponds on her face! Nostalgia, that's always a good reason to use a product!

[Paisley]

Ponds cold cream has the scent of old garden roses. (I grow several old garden roses and enjoy the scent.) D'lovely! (Wish I knew a better French-sounding expression to throw in there.)

[fortworthgal]

Only slightly OT, but I had to run into Target today at lunchtime and discovered that they have their own brand of witch hazel - exact same ingredients as Dickinson's - for $1.32 for a 16 oz bottle. It is in the pharmacy area near the band-aids and rubbing alcohol. Not a very pretty container, but the price is great and I figure I can refill my Dickinson's bottle when it is empty.

[Miss Crisplock]

The cold cream question deserves a better answer than the one I've given. As I said I was basing the answer on memory, which it seems is not always up to snuff. Unfortunately, any of my texts that contain formulations are a state away, but not to dispair! I expect to be home tomorrow, and will make a few phone calls.... I'm sure one of my more resourcefull friends will be able to fill me in, and I should have a difinitive answer by early next week at the latest.;)

[fortworthgal]

I've done some searching online, and the best answer I can find is that it feels cold on the skin.

Cold cream was first developed by Galen, a 2nd century Greek physician, in his service as an attendant in a local temple to Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine and Healing. One of Galen's primary roles was to tend to the Gladiators following "games." He developed a great many healing treatments, cold cream among them.

Galen's cold cream contained olive oil (for softening), water, beeswax (the base of the cream), and rose petals (for aromatherapy). It was called called "cold cream" because after it was applied to the skin, its water content evaporated, which left a cool feeling on the skin. Commercially manufactured cold creams have long since replaced the olive oil with mineral or other oils, which will not spoil as rapidly.

[VargasGirl]

I just did a Boots Cold Cream search on Google to see if I can find it here in the US, and a listing for eBay came up. There is an old container for auction, ending in about 4 days. The seller says it looks as thought it is made from ironstone! Currently going for $9.99 USD. I don't think I am allowed to post links for current auctions, or else I would. If any of you check it out, do you have an idea of when this might date to?
I also went directly to the Boots Chemist website, and I can't find it on there either!

[~landgirl~]

I have an unused jar of boots cold cream if anyone wants it?

[VargasGirl]

I have an unused jar of boots cold cream if anyone wants it?
Problem is, I'm in the States. The shipping alone would probably break the bank! Does Boots no longer sell their own cold cream, or just not online? Is the jar you have in that old-timy looking tin someone posted a picture of?

[Fleur De Guerre]

Problem is, I'm in the States. The shipping alone would probably break the bank! Does Boots no longer sell their own cold cream, or just not online? Is the jar you have in that old-timy looking tin someone posted a picture of?

You can't buy it from the site, but it's on sale in all branches of Boots. In that tin. I think the market that generally buys it wouldn't be shopping online!

[VargasGirl]

How does Boots compare ingredients wise to the original Ponds? Ponds is working great for me, but I like the look of Boots!

[Fleur De Guerre]

Well, landgirl just said in the "back to zits" thread that it didn't make her skin better or worse but that the Ponds cleared it right up! I find it to be really great, but I haven't tried Ponds. I want to now though! We could always send you a pot. Though I still owe landgirl a sample of lottabody - I'm not very good at getting to the postoffice! :eusa_doh:

[~landgirl~]

Problem is, I'm in the States. The shipping alone would probably break the bank! Does Boots no longer sell their own cold cream, or just not online? Is the jar you have in that old-timy looking tin someone posted a picture of?

No it would only be a few quid for me to send it, if you wanted to have a bash with it then I don't mind posting it out to you?

[starla]

Hi ladies!
My current face-cleaning routine isn't working for me...I've developed a rather peculiar (and certianly annoying!) dry and peeling patch of skin right in the middle of my forehead :eusa_doh: So I'm making the switch to Pond's!
My housemate who uses it also says that she finds it far too greasy...is this true? Is there any way I can counteract the greasiness? And would it matter that much if I have dry skin anyway?

Thanks...

[GoldLeaf]

I would recommend reading through this entire thread

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=12862

There is so much knowledge contained in there. I know it's long, but I learned SO much. I swear by Ponds. I compiled a routine based on what other ladies were doing that worked for me. I outline how I use it, and other ladies do the same in that thread. I am not greasy nor is my skin dull. I am smooth and blemish free. LOVE Pond's.

[kinghipposcrown]

Since you're using Ponds, I might suggest visiting this promotion page for the upcoming movie event, The Starter Wife (a Debra Messing Movie).

I'm currently working on promoting the film and the promotion, and I know if you submit something for the Real Starter Wife Stories, you can either get a free delivery of "Just Because" flowers or a gift pack from Ponds. Either way, it's free stuff.

Let me know if you have any questions.

http://www.usanetwork.com/series/starterwife/sexyandsassy/index.html

[CherryRed]

I am another die hard Ponds user thanks to JBD's great advice. I always had problems with breakouts until I used it. I do occasionaly have flakey patches but that is just from needing to exfoliate. For that I use Olay's microdermabrasion and peel set every few weeks or as needed.

[Daisy Buchanan]

Since you're using Ponds, I might suggest visiting this promotion page for the upcoming movie event, The Starter Wife (a Debra Messing Movie).

I'm currently working on promoting the film and the promotion, and I know if you submit something for the Real Starter Wife Stories, you can either get a free delivery of "Just Because" flowers or a gift pack from Ponds. Either way, it's free stuff.

Let me know if you have any questions.

http://www.usanetwork.com/series/starterwife/sexyandsassy/index.html

That's cool you are working on the promotions for "The Starter Wife". My parents play golf with Debbie Messing's parents and have been friends for quite some time. I've heard great buzz about her upcoming endeavor and am looking forward to it. I don't know Debbie, but I've spent time with her parents, they are such sweet people. Every time she premiers something, they invite all their friends over for a party. They are really sweet. It's good to know about the free ponds stuff, thanks for that. I love ponds. My mom swears by the stuff, she has been using it since she was old enough to use cold cream.

[Grnidwitch]

Funny that this thread came up.

I was using the regular Pond's cold cream but wasnt' really happy with the fragrance, so I bought the thinner Deep Cleanser and Make Up remover and after about a 2 week period, I went and bought the regular cold cream. With the Deep Cleanser my pore were HUGE, I mean you could have driven a bus into them. Now, with the regular cc, everything is back to normal. I'll just rinse my face with warm water after removing it to get all traces off. I usually just use the Ponds Exfoliating Clean Sweep wipes but the fragrance lingered.

So all is well with the pores.

[Lauren]

Just got some and LOVE it. I have yet to see how it reacts to my skin, but it makes it feel great :)

[CherryRed]

Another tip on the residue...remove it with a warm washcloth and follow up with a gentle toner like Olay or just witchhazel.

[Grnidwitch]

Another tip on the residue...remove it with a warm washcloth and follow up with a gentle toner like Olay or just witchhazel.


CR, I did that last night and it works much better. I do use the Ponds Exfoliating wipes but they didn't seem to get everything off as well as I liked.

[GoldLeaf]

I use a warm washcloth and then follow with a Nivea alcohol free toner and lastly a firming night cream :) No grease for me :)

[RaasAlHayya]

Do any of you ladies have any tips on getting Ponds Cold Cream out of washcloths? I have laundered the cloths in the washing machine, but they're still greasy. :eusa_doh:

--Leslie

[CherryRed]

Do any of you ladies have any tips on getting Ponds Cold Cream out of washcloths? I have laundered the cloths in the washing machine, but they're still greasy. :eusa_doh:

--Leslie

I have never had this problem. Are you using warm or hot water?

[GoldLeaf]

Mine are fine, too. I wring them out well with hot water after I am done using them, and then launder them reguarly. Hummm.....

[Grnidwitch]

Do any of you ladies have any tips on getting Ponds Cold Cream out of washcloths? I have laundered the cloths in the washing machine, but they're still greasy. :eusa_doh:

--Leslie


I've had the same problem. Used warm water and good detergent. I just bought a bunch of cheaper wash clothes just to remove the cc.

[RaasAlHayya]

I use hot water to launder the washcloths and towels.

--Leslie

[CanadaDoll]

After I've rubbed off the Cream I will scrub the cloth together under the water, if it seems especially greasy I'll add a little hand soap, and voila! I've had no problems with laundering.:)
Hope it helps!

[RaasAlHayya]

Thanks for your input, ladies! I may try handwashing my facecloths in a grease-cutting dish detergent. I'll let you know how it goes!

--Leslie

[Miss Sis]

If you can get hold of it, add borax to the wash. Cuts through grease but is gentle enough to use on any fabric. About 1/4 cup will do.

Also good for handwashing. Excellent for drawing dirt out of woolens, especially pale colours. Just soak along with usual wool detergent for 10 minutes and see all the dirt in the bottom of the bowl! Rinse as usual.

[RaasAlHayya]

Thanks, Miss Sis! I have seen Borax at one of the grocery stores around here.

--Leslie

[kinghipposcrown]

That's cool you are working on the promotions for "The Starter Wife". My parents play golf with Debbie Messing's parents and have been friends for quite some time. I've heard great buzz about her upcoming endeavor and am looking forward to it. I don't know Debbie, but I've spent time with her parents, they are such sweet people. Every time she premiers something, they invite all their friends over for a party. They are really sweet. It's good to know about the free ponds stuff, thanks for that. I love ponds. My mom swears by the stuff, she has been using it since she was old enough to use cold cream.

It makes sense that her parents are great, because she Debra appears to be a very nice, level headed woman. Well if you want a chance to meet her, the other contest we're promoting can get you red carpet premiere tickets to see The Starter Wife. Check out the links for the Starter Wife 40s and Fabulous Contest presented by Ponds.

http://www.usanetwork.com/series/starterwife/sweepstakes/sweeps.html

[Shearer]

I might just become an overnight devotee of this Pond's cold cream! I picked some up the last time I was at a drug store because of all the hype, thinking that it couldn't hurt to try. I was just doing the ol' soap and water routine thinking that was good enough because I'd get a few compliments here and there on my skin.

I decided to try the Pond's out tonight because it was a heavy makeup day. Double mascara, cream eyeliner, foundation, eyeshadow, the works. I was shocked... SHOCKED :eek: at what came off of my face! My washcloth looked like a Pollock painting lol

Now I'm wondering just how much makeup was even coming off with the soap and water. I did the one minute mask like some of the ladies here suggested and topped off with little witch hazel, though I don't use a toner very much. Actually, I really like the scent of Pond's so unless my skin has some weird reaction in the next couple of days I can definitely see this replacing my moisturizer altogether.

[Rockapin-up]

;) Thanks to you lovely ladies I too have switched to Ponds. I really like it and I just use witch hazel after cleaning off the cream. It does leave somewhat of a greasy residue but I just like to think that it helps keep premature wrinkles at bay;)


Magen

[olive bleu]

well. i guess this a good thread for me to be in as i am returning after a bit if a hiatus to the FL, and also to pond's!

I have missed all you ladies, so much...i moved just before Christmas and took me a while to get my computer set up again.and then it crashed and had to be sent to the "hospital" for awhile :)

I had been using "Honey Cream" from L'Occitane for a while , but as there is not a boutique here, i always had to order it online.I am on a strict break from my credit cards, as i used them too much(out of necessity) when I was working part-time, so i am really trying to not use them till i have them paid off(ohh the agony..no online shopping, no e-bay!!:eek: )

So, when i knew that I would have to settle for something from a drugstore, i immediately went to Pond's.My Mother used it all her life, had has the world's softest most supple skin(at 65 yrs).I too, find that using an astringent after cleansing, really helps if you have oily skin. I have oily patches( forehead) and this really works.

[Helen Troy]

I have to try Ponds Cold Cream now, and I have to get it from ebay since it`s not avaliable in Norwegian stores. Is there any difference between "Ponds Cold Cream Cool Classic" and "Ponds Cold Cream Deep Cleanser"? What about the cucumber one? I am confused and wondering what to buy.....

[CanadaDoll]

Welcome back Olive! we missed you!:)

Has anyone tried using their Pond's as an eye mask? I did this a couple days ago and left it on for ten minutes while I was doing a face mask, and rinsed both off together, and wow! I was so bright eyed after! I normally don't look at my eyes and think ugh, but after the ponds 'mask' they were OMG WOW! looking. I love Pond's!:D

[BonnieJean]

Is there any difference between "Ponds Cold Cream Cool Classic" and "Ponds Cold Cream Deep Cleanser"? What about the cucumber one? I am confused and wondering what to buy.....
Today 12:08 PM

Helen Troy, the "traditional" Ponds is the Cold Cream Cool Classic". That's the stuff that I use and a lot of gals here use it too, I believe. I haven't tried the cucumber one, but since I don't particularly care for cucumbers, it didn't appeal to me. The Deep Cleanser is exactly that, a deep cleanser. You might just want to try the regular "classic" one first. And if you're wanting to add a toner afterwards, witch hazel is great and I just got some Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel. It also has Aloe Vera and Vitamin E in it too. I have combination skin and this stuff feels wonderful on my face after cleaning it with the Ponds. I got a large bottle (12 oz.) from iHerb that will last me quite a while and its reasonably priced too! And the rose smell...aaah (swoons).
Here's the link to the witch hazel if you want to look: http://www.iherb.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?c=Herbs&pid=THA-07003

I've used the Pond's/witch hazel "treatment" nightly for over a week now and its true, my pores ARE noticeably smaller and I didn't break out like I thought I would. I had a couple of small breakouts at first, but I think my skin was getting used to the change. I clean the Ponds off with a warm washcloth and then use the rose petal witch hazel. Its a nice smell to drift off to sleep with!

[olive bleu]

Welcome back Olive! we missed you!:)

Has anyone tried using their Pond's as an eye mask? I did this a couple days agi and left it on for ten minutes while I was doing a face mask, and rinsed both off together, and wow! I was so bright eyed after! I normally don't look at my eyes and think ugh, but after the ponds 'mask' they were OMG WOW! looking. I love Pond's!:D
that's a fabulous tip, CanadaDoll, I will have to try that for sure!

[Helen Troy]

Thank you so much, BonnieJean! I can hardly wait to try this, after all the praise I have heard here!

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Question about toner...I have been using an Aveda toner which is $20, and it consists primarily of witch hazel, peppermint oil, and rose oil (or, if not oil, then something like that). I assume something like this can be had much more cheaply. Any recommendations?

[CanadaDoll]

I've had good luck with Nivea for sensitive skin, in the toner department, costs about 7$ so I can't much complain about the price:D

[roots66]

Just bought my first jar a couple of days ago--wanted to wait until I saw it on sale (most Toronto pharmacies regularly charge 10 bucks for Pond's, which seems bloody outrageous to me). So far so good...but still, it's hard to get over the fact that I'm schmearing mineral earl all over my face. Mind you, I've never had a problem with the stuff before--I've used Vaseline as an eye makeup remover for over 20 years, and mineral oil has been a key ingredient in many of the body lotions I've tried with no ill effects--but so many "experts" advise against the substance that I guess I've taken a little of their skieviness to heart.

I've seen some recipes for homemade cold cream using jojoba oil as the main ingredient. Has anyone tried this, and/or do any "natural" cosmetics companies make a commercial version?

Re: Bella's Q about toner--seems to me the Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel that others have raved about in the "vintage-ified beauty routine" thread would work just as well. I've been having good luck with apple cider vinegar--diluted with water, though, 'cause if used straight its fumes are enough to knock a body out.

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Re: Bella's Q about toner--seems to me the Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel that others have raved about in the "vintage-ified beauty routine" thread would work just as well. I've been having good luck with apple cider vinegar--diluted with water, though, 'cause if used straight its fumes are enough to knock a body out.

thanks! now i need to find someone who carries it so i don't have to pay $5 for shipping.

[pigeon toe]

Just bought my first jar a couple of days ago--wanted to wait until I saw it on sale (most Toronto pharmacies regularly charge 10 bucks for Pond's, which seems bloody outrageous to me). So far so good...but still, it's hard to get over the fact that I'm schmearing mineral earl all over my face. Mind you, I've never had a problem with the stuff before--I've used Vaseline as an eye makeup remover for over 20 years, and mineral oil has been a key ingredient in many of the body lotions I've tried with no ill effects--but so many "experts" advise against the substance that I guess I've taken a little of their skieviness to heart.


I don't keep up on beauty stuff that much, why is mineral oil a no-no according to the experts?

[CherryRed]

thanks! now i need to find someone who carries it so i don't have to pay $5 for shipping.

I use Olay's basic toner wich is also inexspensive and has witch hazel as the main ingredient.

[roots66]

thanks! now i need to find someone who carries it so i don't have to pay $5 for shipping.

You might try a health foods store with a decent-sized "personal care" section. I've only ever seen it at the health food store actually. Whole Foods (a.k.a. Whole Paycheck) might even carry it.

[roots66]

I don't keep up on beauty stuff that much, why is mineral oil a no-no according to the experts?

Here (http://www.herballuxuries.com/mineral-oil.htm) are (http://www.iamprettynyc.com/blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=379&blogId=1) some (http://www.dld123.com/q&a/qandatemp.php?id=Q77) people's (http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SKIN&ID=47) opinions (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070321223750AACO8nk) on (http://fitsugar.com/135127) the (http://skincarerx.com/moisturizers.html) stuff (http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070321213817AATX2QL).

[VanillaT]

I believe that some people claim that mineral oil will clog the pores. I take this with a grain of salt because it has not done so in my personal experience. I found this article on "mythbusting" about "mineral oil:"

http://www.paulaschoice.com/learn/art.asp?ID=178

I think it is safe to say that if it makes you break out, then don't use it... ;-)

[pretty faythe]

I'm not sure if this would go here or under vintageified beauty. The other day while channel surfing I stopped on TMC for a moment, couldn't get into the movie, right now all I could tell you about the name is that it had "kill" or "killing" in the tittle.

Any way, the female star was using a cold cream product at the end of the day. Swipe it on, rub it off with a cloth. Now we have video evidence that this is a vintage beauty routine. lol. Just sharring.[huh]

[pigeon toe]

Here (http://www.herballuxuries.com/mineral-oil.htm) are (http://www.iamprettynyc.com/blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=379&blogId=1) some (http://www.dld123.com/q&a/qandatemp.php?id=Q77) people's (http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SKIN&ID=47) opinions (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070321223750AACO8nk) on (http://fitsugar.com/135127) the (http://skincarerx.com/moisturizers.html) stuff (http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070321213817AATX2QL).

Yikes! I didn't know it was that harmful!

[Shearer]

Obviously, I can't state any opinion on the effects of mineral oil on the liver when it's absorbed by the skin... but...

I have really sensitive skin (Burt's Bees stuff actually makes my skin go haywire) and my skin has never looked better after I started using Pond's... and I had pretty good skin to begin with.

I follow up the Pond's with some Thayer's like others said, and I think my pores are thanking me for it :)

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Yikes! I didn't know it was that harmful!

I'm sort of horrified too actually. Plus it doesn't do anything for me skin.

[Helen Troy]

At least some of the arguments against mineral oil seems a little daft. The claim that it is "foreign to the human body", for instance: Of course it is! So is aloe vera, it is not a part of your skin.

It seems to me that the claims against of mineral oil is part of a bigger, popular idea that claims that natural=healthy. In other words, that natural ingredients does not cause allergies, are not harmful to the body etc.

That is not true. Not only are some of the worlds most powerful poisons natural and organic, a very large number of persons suffer from allergies towards all natural and organic things.

When it comes to cosmetics, there are no proof that "natural" and "organic" ingredients are less harmful, again, allergic reactions is common. And, that an ingredient is labeled "natural" does not mean it can not possibly do serious harm to the body. Not long ago, a serious study (http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2007/niehs-31.htm) concluded that products containing tea tree oil and lavender oil may cause boys to develop breasts!

To conclude, the safest thing would be to not use any cosmetics at all. The realistic option is to use common sense, not use products that don`t work for you, don`t belive everything you are told and not belive that products are safe or harmful just because they are"natural" or "not natural."

[TaxiGirl]

Here (http://www.herballuxuries.com/mineral-oil.htm) are (http://www.iamprettynyc.com/blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=379&blogId=1) some (http://www.dld123.com/q&a/qandatemp.php?id=Q77) people's (http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SKIN&ID=47) opinions (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070321223750AACO8nk) on (http://fitsugar.com/135127) the (http://skincarerx.com/moisturizers.html) stuff (http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070321213817AATX2QL).


I shouldn't be this easily amused, but on the last of those links people are recommending using baby oil instead of mineral oil -- when they're the same thing! Baby oil just has fragrance added!

This just makes me laugh. Do they think that it's made from babies?

[GoldLeaf]

I read the links. I can see some merit in the arguements against using the mineral oil. However, as I have said before, Pond's has worked wonders for my skin.

If, as some people said in those links, the molecules are too large to get into the pores of my skin, then I find it hard to belive that I will be absorbing the oil into my body to do harm.

And if the oil sits on the top of my skin to act like celophane, then wouldn't the toner I use, which claims to remove residue left over from my cleanser, remove this celophane effect?

Everything is so complicated. It's hard to know what to do anymore. All I know is that my skin looks great. For the first time in years I wear my hair pulled back and show off my face. I still get blemishes, but nothing like I used to. So until the FDA issues a ban on mineral oil, I think I will continue to use it. Nothing else has made me look this good!

Ah, the price we pay for beauty. At least I am not injecting botchulism into my face ;)

[BegintheBeguine]

GoldLeaf, it's good to see you back.
I too set aside all of my stuff containing mineral oil, then I realized it wasn't making me break out, so it's now in rotation again. This from the over-40 gal who gets breakouts galore from Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion! In chemistry class last year, when I was trying to get a Master's in nursing, I came to the conclusion that it's all chemicals. If mineral oil is BAD then why is mineral powder ok? Things like that. A rambling way to say don't believe everything you read and if it works for you then why not keep using it? I was skeptical when I read last year in The Powder Room to use just warm or hot water and a washcloth. Then I tried it and my skin is finally breakout-free. I trust the gals' opinions and experiences here more than the other websites, thanks, kids.

[Shearer]

GoldLeaf, it's good to see you back.
I too set aside all of my stuff containing mineral oil, then I realized it wasn't making me break out, so it's now in rotation again. This from the over-40 gal who gets breakouts galore from Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion! In chemistry class last year, when I was trying to get a Master's in nursing, I came to the conclusion that it's all chemicals. If mineral oil is BAD then why is mineral powder ok? Things like that. A rambling way to say don't believe everything you read and if it works for you then why not keep using it? I was skeptical when I read last year in The Powder Room to use just warm or hot water and a washcloth. Then I tried it and my skin is finally breakout-free. I trust the gals' opinions and experiences here more than the other websites, thanks, kids.

Ah, that Clinique lotion did the same thing for me :rolleyes:

I'm totally agreeing with you and GoldLeaf. It's like the study on chocolate and wine that comes out every week. "It's good for you, it's not good for you, it's good in moderation, it's good when it's dark chocolate and red wine ONLY..." :D

Then I tried Burt's Bees on a recommendation and all hell broke loose. THEN I had a friend selling this Arbonne stuff, so I tried that. It was okay, but really expensive for tiny bottles and my skin just looked the same after a huge regime every night with lotions, cleansers, toner, night moisturizers, etc.

When I got Pond's and looked at the ingredient list it was about 1/10th as long as the Arbonne stuff I was using. After a week, I chucked all the Arbonne in the trash. I don't even have to use moisturizing lotion anymore [huh]

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Maybe I am more susceptible to negative thoughts about mineral oil because it makes me break out! I do love Burt's Bees though, and it's TOTALLY not made from babies.lol

[olive bleu]

don't want to turn this into a thread about Burt's Bees products, but...does anyone else have a problem with it going rancid? it doesn't seem to have a long shelf life.

[VanillaT]

Yes, I was majorly dismayed when my beloved Burt's Bees Almond Hand Creme went rancid after less than a year. I guess that is the downside of using more natural products (less preservatives?). I tried to keep using it but the smell was just too off. So sad!

[Daisy Buchanan]

I've had a really bad eye infection/stye for about a week now. Actually, it started about a month ago, I had 2 styes on the upper eyelid of my right eye. I thought they went away, but at the beginning of last week they came back with a vengence. This is the worst eye infection I've ever had. It got so bad that my right eye was swollen shut. Not a pretty sight:( Anyway, I went to the opthomologist and she asked me all sorts of questions, including what I use to take my make-up off. I told her I've been using Pond's. She said that this isn't the greatest thing to use on ones eyes, but since it's been in use for such a long time a lot of people don't know about it's potential hazards. Anyway, it's got a very high mineral oil content, and this can actually clog your pores, especially it can clog the small hair follicles of your eye lids. She said I shouldn't use it anymore, especially on my eyes. She recommended eye make-up remover pads made by Almay or facial cleansing cloth's made by Dove. They are hypo-allergenic and oil free. I use the ones made by Dove. They do a great job removing my make-up and my skin feels very nice and soft since I started using them.

[olive bleu]

oh my, Daisy,you poor dear! That is terrible for you, and terrible for all us Pond's lovers!waht in the world are we all going to do?

[VanillaT]

That sounds horrible!

[BonnieJean]

oh my, Daisy,you poor dear! That is terrible for you, and terrible for all us Pond's lovers!waht in the world are we all going to do?

Well, I'm going to stick with the Pond's for now. I've NEVER had my face look as well as it has the past two weeks since I've switched to the Pond's. I've had adult acne for a long, long time (the only 'youthful' thing left on me!) and finally my skin looks great! The other night it looked like I was going to get a couple of pimples on my cheek, but I went ahead and did my usual nighttime cleansing routine: put Pond's on face, let it soak in while I brush my teeth, remove Pond's with a warm washcloth, and follow-up with rosewater witch hazel. The next morning, there wasn't any sign of a breakout. I also have sun damage to my nose and it used to peel year round. I had given up and decided I would live with a peeling nose for the rest of my life, but the Pond's has even made a dramatic improvement in that--no more peeling nose!

It looks like there are two camps when it comes to using cold cream/mineral oil. Some "experts" state that its been given a bad rap, and others say it really is bad for you. For me, unless I really start having problems with my skin, I'm keeping the Pond's. I've tried many cleansing products, but I sure wish I'd tried this years ago!

[Daisy Buchanan]

Thanks ladies:) Luckily the infection is getting better. I could open my eye today, so that's a good sign. I'm hoping that by the weekend it will have completely cleared up.
I think Ponds is still OK to use on your face. The mineral oil in it can clog pores, but if it's not having a negative affect on you, then there's no reason to stop using it. I would just not recommend using it to remove your eye make-up. The pores/hair follicles on your eye lids are smaller and more sensitive than the pores on the rest of your face. Thus they are more susceptible to getting clogged. Of course, if you've never had eye problems before, and you've used Pond's without a problem, then you should be fine.
I was actually talking to my Mom about all of this. She used Pond's most of her adult life. For years she had constant eye problems. She was always getting some sort of eye infection or another. After years of different treatments the doctor recommended that she stop using Pond's. She reluctantly did so. She loved the stuff, it took off her make-up so well and made her skin nice, she really didn't want to stop using it. She's the one who introduced it to me. I've used it for years without problems. However, my Mom stopped using it and never had another eye infection. So, I'm assuming my recent numerous eye problems have to do with it.
I know it was mentioned in another thread, but the safest thing to use to remove your eye make-up is watered down Johnson & Johnson Baby shampoo. It's incredibly gentle and very safe.
So if you like Pond's and it works for you then there's really no reason to stop using it at this point in time. But be warned, both my Mom and I used it for many years with no negative affects. Then one day it started causing problems out of the blue. If you can find something a bit more gentle to use on your eyes, that might be a good idea. It's still ok to use the Pond's' on the rest of your face and neck. Oh, and Pond's also makes a disposable cleansing cloth, very similar to the Dove and Almay cloths. They are a dry cloth that get soapy when wet. I've used them in the past to remove make-up, and they worked very well. I think these might not have the mineral oil that the cold cream does. But they did make my face incredibly soft.

[VanillaT]

I always had been told not to use any oily eye-make up remover (that is what I was told when I was in ten, when I had the stage makeup instruction class for dance). I always have used a separate oil-free eye make up remover pad (Almay, coincidentally) and now I am glad that I have! Wow, they really were right. I thought it was for different reasons though, they told us that it could fog up your vision if you had to do a makeup switch halfway through and that is why you should stay away from it. Who would've known!?

[roots66]

I'm not sure if this would go here or under vintageified beauty. The other day while channel surfing I stopped on TMC for a moment, couldn't get into the movie, right now all I could tell you about the name is that it had "kill" or "killing" in the tittle.

Any way, the female star was using a cold cream product at the end of the day. Swipe it on, rub it off with a cloth. Now we have video evidence that this is a vintage beauty routine. lol. Just sharring.[huh]


Oh yeah, cold cream is a staple prop in many movies of a certain age (or depicting that certain age). Here are a few recent sightings I've had:

Kitty Foyle: When a gentleman caller visits Kitty, her roommates hide in the bathroom and one of them slathers CC all over. She emerges later looking mighty shiny.

Stella Dallas: Stella's greasy fingers mar a photo of Lolly's future stepmom: "Mother, look what you're done! You're getting cold cream all over her picture!"

Mrs. Henderson Presents: While Laura chats with her saucy best friend on the phone, the friend does the CC ritual.

Goodbye Again: When Yves Montand calls to cancel a date, Ingrid Bergman sits at her dressing table, stares pensively in the mirror, and starts schmearing. This happens twice in the movie, even after she manages to marry the jerk, so you know it's symbolic of somethin'.

In another flick whose title and lead actress escapes me, a gal starts crying hysterically in the midst of her CCing, and ends up frantically schmearing her mirror with the stuff.

Anybody have a fave cold cream scene?

[GoldLeaf]

Daisy :eek: I am sorry that happened to you.

I had a similar situation about a year ago. I wasn't using Pond's then, but I wasn't making an effort to get all my eye makeup removed, either. My eye doctor also told me to use baby shampoo. I haven't used it yet because I haven't had any stye problems since I became more dilligent about removing my makeup. However, one of the ladies in my office was having a problem with small styes and she started using baby shampoo, and she says it works very well for her.

All this news about Ponds makes me want to :cry:

[CherryRed]

Well, I'm going to stick with the Pond's for now. I've NEVER had my face look as well as it has the past two weeks since I've switched to the Pond's. I've had adult acne for a long, long time (the only 'youthful' thing left on me!) and finally my skin looks great! The other night it looked like I was going to get a couple of pimples on my cheek, but I went ahead and did my usual nighttime cleansing routine: put Pond's on face, let it soak in while I brush my teeth, remove Pond's with a warm washcloth, and follow-up with rosewater witch hazel. The next morning, there wasn't any sign of a breakout. I also have sun damage to my nose and it used to peel year round. I had given up and decided I would live with a peeling nose for the rest of my life, but the Pond's has even made a dramatic improvement in that--no more peeling nose!

It looks like there are two camps when it comes to using cold cream/mineral oil. Some "experts" state that its been given a bad rap, and others say it really is bad for you. For me, unless I really start having problems with my skin, I'm keeping the Pond's. I've tried many cleansing products, but I sure wish I'd tried this years ago!


Dito!!

[Barbigirl]

Oh My Gosh, I started using Pond's after reading this thread a couple of months ago and I think I have a stye. I just had to dictionary.com it because I didn't even know what they were but I have their weird red spot under my left eye and I was wondering if I had skin cancer or something?!

I love how the Pond's makes the rest of my face and neck feel but I will get some different eye makeup remover.

Thanks for the info Daisy and all!

[GoldLeaf]

Oh My Gosh, I started using Pond's after reading this thread a couple of months ago and I think I have a stye. I just had to dictionary.com it because I didn't even know what they were but I have their weird red spot under my left eye and I was wondering if I had skin cancer or something?!

I love how the Pond's makes the rest of my face and neck feel but I will get some different eye makeup remover.

Thanks for the info Daisy and all!

A stye is actually like a little pimple. They form in the pores and folicles of your eyelid. They can form in your lash line or on the inside of your eye lid. If you have a hard little white bump that looks just like a pimple, you have a stye.

I can usually scratch my little ones to make them pop and then I use hot compresses to help draw out the crud. But I don't know if that is sanctioned as safe or not :) Hot compresses are safe, however.

Of course, styes can get quite large and painful, and end up swelling your eye shut. ::shudders:: A very unpleasant experience that I hope doesn't happen again any time soon!

[Barbigirl]

A stye is actually like a little pimple. They form in the pores and folicles of your eyelid. They can form in your lash line or on the inside of your eye lid. If you have a hard little white bump that looks just like a pimple, you have a stye.

I can usually scratch my little ones to make them pop and then I use hot compresses to help draw out the crud. But I don't know if that is sanctioned as safe or not :) Hot compresses are safe, however.

Hmmmm, well I have had those before. This one is different, maybe I will get it checked out.

[Helen Troy]

Why is it called "cold cream" anyway. Is it made by cold fusion or what?;)

[ITG]

She recommended eye make-up remover pads made by Almay or facial cleansing cloth's made by Dove. They are hypo-allergenic and oil free. I use the ones made by Dove. They do a great job removing my make-up and my skin feels very nice and soft since I started using them.
The Dove cleansing cloths are wonderful! I had a sample pack and used it the other night. It removed so much of my makeup that when I went to use my toner hardly any dirt was left on my face to go onto my toner's cotton pad. I was planning to by some Pond's when I finished with my current stuff but I think I will for sure go with the Dove after hearing your and your opthamologist's feedback.

[Grnidwitch]

Pond's has a few cleansing clothes that are just wonderful. I use the exfoliating cucumber ones and they take the residue of the cold cream off with no problems. The don't seem to dry out my skin and they aren't harsh in anyway. I know that there is another type that comes in pink packaging but they were very drying for me.

I don't remove my mascara at night. I do remove my eye shadow. Whatever mascara comes off is what comes off. I don't make a point of trying to get all the mascara off. I use cetaphil bar soap in the shower on my face. It's the only time I use soap of my face.

I'm pretty happy with the way my skin has been since using Pond's. It's really soft and the fine lines and wrinkles seem to have plumped up alittle.

[Kimberly]

Okay, I just went out and bought some Ponds as well as a Billie Holiday CD so I am going to listen to her while I put all this on my face. :D

[Adelaidey]

I absolutely swear by Pond's... I tend to use it only at night though, and remove with a warm, moist washcloth, and use an exfoliating lemongrass cleanser in the morning, as my skin tends to get a bit shiny during the day. I still tend to use Clearasil benzoyl peroxide for the occaisional acne flare-up. I've used Pond's for ages, and always get compliments on my skin... thankfully I've never run into stye problems as some of you have... thats curious...

The best thing that cold cream cleansing has done for my skin is to get rid of blackheads... I had such a problem with them on my nose in my mid-teens, and tried everything to get rid of them... finally cleaning with Pond's did the trick!

I've tried other brands of cold cream, but always come back to Pond's... I think half of it is because I adore the smell so much! lol

[artdecodame]

I would probably second a few of the earlier replies (in this and other related threads), suggesting to stick with the Pond's brand if you're new to the stuff. Although the ingredients are nearly the same, the Jergens version caused my skin to break out after a short while. :(

[Amy Jeanne]

Just my 2 cents...

I started using Ponds about 2 weeks ago because of this very forum and I've had no problems with it. At first I was using it twice a day, but found that it left my face feeling like it had a thin layer of blotchy grease on it. I've gone down to once a day at night right after I shower. I don't use it as a makeup remover -- that gets done in the shower! But I do use it to get off any makeup residue and to just make myself feel good! And it works! Not only that, but the skin on my face is SO SOFT! My husband can't get over it!

[Goodie2Shoes]

I wish I had such discipline--I do absolutely nothing for my poor face and that's probably why I'm dry and red and just plain awful. So perhaps I'll try the cold cream idea...I have no idea what I need or where to start. There are so many suggestions here and I don't have an endless budget...I've got drawers full of beauty products I thought were going to be used but NOPE! This girl needs to take some time for herself....off to Walgreen's I go.....but shhhh don't tell Hubby!

[Kimberly]

I just want to say that I have been using the Ponds to take off my makeup since Saturday and I do notice my face is softer and it takes off a lot of makeup without drying it out. It's funny because I bought a bunch of Ponds moisterizers on clearance at CVS (probably enought to last me a year) so I have been using Ponds products for about 3 months now. Now I use Ponds for everything. :D

[pretty faythe]

I would probably second a few of the earlier replies (in this and other related threads), suggesting to stick with the Pond's brand if you're new to the stuff. Although the ingredients are nearly the same, the Jergens version caused my skin to break out after a short while. :(


I use the Jergens. The first few days I had a bit of a break out, but thats basically normal with any change of facial regiman for me. Since then, no prob at all.

[Emmababy]

for anyone in the know,

would the Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser be the same as the normal Cold Cream that everyone is talking about?

i'm off to go buy some tomorrow and they only have the cold cream cleanser variety in the UK i think. In Boots anyway.

[Shearer]

for anyone in the know,

would the Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser be the same as the normal Cold Cream that everyone is talking about?

i'm off to go buy some tomorrow and they only have the cold cream cleanser variety in the UK i think. In Boots anyway.

I'm not sure if the product packaging is the same, but this (http://www.ponds.com/cold_cream.asp) is the stuff you want. Watch which one you grab, too. The last time I went to buy it I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and grabbed the cucumber version :eusa_doh: which is not the same.

[anabolina]

for anyone in the know,

would the Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser be the same as the normal Cold Cream that everyone is talking about?

i'm off to go buy some tomorrow and they only have the cold cream cleanser variety in the UK i think. In Boots anyway.

I bought the Cold Cream cleanser because it came in a larger tub then the other one and had spanish words on it and it seems to work the same as the cold cream does.

[badleekitty]

This post is so interesting I always wondered what that cream did that my Grandma always had it on her dresser. No offense but I always thought it was just for older ladies. I always enjoyed the smell of the cream since I was a little girl. I use the ponds cleansing cloths and they are really great they get all my makeup off really good. I think I will pick some up and give it a try like the rest of you lovely ladies. I am just wondering if it will make my face greasy. As it is my skin is kind of oily so I am wondering if this product will make it worst. I am also looking for a good moisterizer do you girls just use this or do you use this and another moisterizer with it??

[Emmababy]

oohh i was just about to ask that moisturiser question.

I bought the Cold Cream Cleanser (last one in the store) I assume its the same product but they just added the cleanser part on the end for a newer market to actually explain what it's for.

I tried it this evening and it's amazing! I also bought a bottle of distilled witch hazel as my toner and i reckon this is the perfect skin regime for me.

I think i am going to change my moisturiser now though as i don't need one quite so rich. Off to the moisturiser thread i go and browse peoples suggestions.
Thank you for all the help!

[ChezPez]

Well I'm glad this thread was resurrected, because I'm going crazy with this stuff and I need help!

I have sensitive skin, mostly dry, but I'm young and still acne prone, so I'm a bit oily sometimes. I tried C.O. Bigelow's Rose Water Cold Cream (since it was on sale and cheap!) and found it very irritating. I've tried some mineral make ups and also have found those irritating. I'm going to take a risk and try Pond's but I'm concerned I'm sensitive to mineral oil somehow. However, with the make up, I'm fairly certain I reacted to the bismuth...stuff (I can't remember the name!). I know, my skin's very fickle and a pain!

Anyone else have this experience, advice, anything? I want to use Cold Cream so badly, since it seems like it would be nice for my dryness, but I'm about to give up the quest. Damn sensitive skin.

[gluegungeisha]

Well I'm glad this thread was resurrected, because I'm going crazy with this stuff and I need help!

I have sensitive skin, mostly dry, but I'm young and still acne prone, so I'm a bit oily sometimes. I tried C.O. Bigelow's Rose Water Cold Cream (since it was on sale and cheap!) and found it very irritating. I've tried some mineral make ups and also have found those irritating. I'm going to take a risk and try Pond's but I'm concerned I'm sensitive to mineral oil somehow. However, with the make up, I'm fairly certain I reacted to the bismuth...stuff (I can't remember the name!). I know, my skin's very fickle and a pain!

Anyone else have this experience, advice, anything? I want to use Cold Cream so badly, since it seems like it would be nice for my dryness, but I'm about to give up the quest. Damn sensitive skin.

Hmm...can you possibly post the ingredients for the C.O. Bigelow's brand? I've been very curious about it, and I might be able to help you figure out what you might be reacting to.

I was in India a week ago doing some service work, and I started to get pretty weak in Delhi because the heat made me lose my appetite. I went to an Aryuvedic clinic to get this special herb and mineral paste made for malnourished people, and the guy there gave me a free tub of "Cold Creme!" I tried using it like actual cold cream, but I think it was just a regular moisturizer...nice, though. It was this special pistachio formula...the brand was called Puma, but I couldn't find anything about it on the internet.

I'm considering making my own cold cream from one of those 1940's recipes, since I've had such amazing luck cleansing my skin with oils. I usually just pour a little bit of olive oil into the palm of my hand, add a few drops of castor oil, tea tree and lavendar, and keep it on as a mask for a few minutes before steaming my face with a washcloth and wiping off gently. It makes my skin lovely and soft, and keeps blackheads at bay! I also dab apple cider vinegar on zits, and for the occasional bad breakout/menstrual skin, I really love the cleansers from this brand called Mychelle (www.mychelleusa.com). They use no parabens or creepy chemicals, and their products make my medicine cabinet smell like a fruit basket! Mmmm.

[GoldLeaf]

I am just wondering if it will make my face greasy. As it is my skin is kind of oily so I am wondering if this product will make it worst. I am also looking for a good moisterizer do you girls just use this or do you use this and another moisterizer with it??

I have oily skin, and no, this doesn't make it worse. I only use the Pond's at night, rub it in, let it sit for a minute, and then take a warm wash cloth and gently massage off the cream. I then use a non-alcohol toner to remove the residue, and follow with a night cream. In the morning I cleanse my face in the shower with a gentle cleanser, use toner to remove the residue, and then use Oil of Olay as my daily moisturizer.

The routine in the morning keeps the heavier oils from the Pond's from remaining on my face during the day. Just using it at night helps a ton!

[BonnieJean]

I have combination skin and my routine is almost the same as Goldleaf's.
And I second it, no, it doesn't leave my face oily. But that's probably because I only use it at night and using a toner afterwards really helps.

[Decobelle]

Ladies, I had my Pond's cold cream taken away from me last week by airport security! I've been traveling a lot for work this month and successfully brought it on in my carry-on bag before in other places, but this particular airport (Ontario, CA) took it. I didn't consider it to be either a "liquid" or a "gel" but they thought so, so that was that. As the jar was 3.5 oz travel size - over the carry-on limit - I had to dump it. I wanted to mention it as a cautionary tale so this doesn't happen to other girls! Luckily, I was going home, not just starting the trip.

[ChezPez]

GlueGunGeisha- I just realized it says on the label that its mineral oil free. I was too hypnotized by its cheap sale price to notice! ha ha. The ingredients (from what I can make out on the label) are as follows: Squalene, Water, Beeswax, Ceresin, RoseDanascena Flower Water, Sodium Borate, Butylene Glycik, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Jojoba Esters, Acrykates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Alcohol Denat, Phenoxytheract, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutlparaben.

I might have spelled some of those wrong... its in very tiny print!
Yeah, I think I should've followed the earlier advice unto cold cream newbies to try Pond's first, but it was on sale! Anyway, trying to Pond's tonight. I'm thinking it will go better. Or at least hoping.

[gluegungeisha]

GlueGunGeisha- I just realized it says on the label that its mineral oil free. I was too hypnotized by its cheap sale price to notice! ha ha. The ingredients (from what I can make out on the label) are as follows: Squalene, Water, Beeswax, Ceresin, RoseDanascena Flower Water, Sodium Borate, Butylene Glycik, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Jojoba Esters, Acrykates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Alcohol Denat, Phenoxytheract, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutlparaben.

I might have spelled some of those wrong... its in very tiny print!
Yeah, I think I should've followed the earlier advice unto cold cream newbies to try Pond's first, but it was on sale! Anyway, trying to Pond's tonight. I'm thinking it will go better. Or at least hoping.

Hmm, that's interesting...yeah, it lacks the key ingredient here, AND it has a ton of really nasty stuff that I don't recommend putting near anyone's body! EDTA is supposed to be bad, though I haven't read much about it...but look at all those parabens!! Parabens are preservatives that have recently been linked to breast cancer...nasty business.

Good luck with the Pond's!

[GoldLeaf]

I have read that mineral oil is actually pretty safe for sensative skin. Supposedly it is pretty non-reactive. Recently, someone posted a question about mineral oil, and if it may be bad for you. I read several of the articles that were posted. Some argued against mineral oil, and some claimed that it was neutral. [huh]

Also, you may break out at first. Pond's can pull a lot of the impurities out of pores, and cause some pimples as the gunk surfaces. If that doesn't go away pretty quickly, I would say it isn't working for you :)

[Fleur De Guerre]

I take my BabyFace cleanser bar from Lush on flights with me. Being solid it doesn't count in any restrictions, but I find it's really similar to cold cream in the way it feels on and afterwards.

[Shearer]

FYI, don't leave Ponds in the trunk of your car on a warm day :eek: The oil WILL leak out onto your Boots lip glaze and other purchases lol

But seriously, out of all the stuff I tried on my skin over the years Pond's has worked the best... and I'm wondering if it's not a coincidence it has the shortest ingredient list of everything I've tried.

I used Clinique for a long time only to be told it was for "mature skin." Burt's Bees caused me to go red and bumpy all over, so that was out. So I just used soap and water for a while and got by on that, but when I tried Pond's I actually improved.

[Miss Brill]

Well I'm glad this thread was resurrected, because I'm going crazy with this stuff and I need help!

I have sensitive skin, mostly dry, but I'm young and still acne prone, so I'm a bit oily sometimes. I tried C.O. Bigelow's Rose Water Cold Cream (since it was on sale and cheap!) and found it very irritating. I've tried some mineral make ups and also have found those irritating. I'm going to take a risk and try Pond's but I'm concerned I'm sensitive to mineral oil somehow. However, with the make up, I'm fairly certain I reacted to the bismuth...stuff (I can't remember the name!). I know, my skin's very fickle and a pain!

Anyone else have this experience, advice, anything? I want to use Cold Cream so badly, since it seems like it would be nice for my dryness, but I'm about to give up the quest. Damn sensitive skin.

Don't wash your face at all--just swab it with pure grapeseed oil on some cotton. If your skin is dry it will produce more oil, but if it is hydrated it will be balanced. You can get a 32oz can of food-grade grapeseed oil at a health food store for about $12 & it has a multitude of uses.

[StaceFace]

After reading the posts about the cold cream and witch hazel regimen, I thought I'd give it a go. My skin is pretty wonkey when it comes to cleansers. I used to have horrible acne, but it's been kept at bay for about a year now (although I still get the occasional breakout :eusa_doh: )

I started using cold cream at night and using witch hazel on an as-needed basis. In the morning I cleanse with a Burt's Bees lettuce soap. My skin has never felt better!

[gluegungeisha]

Ehhh, I don't know what to think about my skin. I tried the cold cream, and my face broke out a bit more (and the day before a photoshoot, too!!). I'm back to my regimen of rotating oil (non-mineral) cleansing with Mychelle cleansers.

I think I just need to wait for things to even out. I just got off birth control, and until about a month ago, I had to use a progesterone cream with testosterone and DHEA because my hormone levels were so depleted from the Pill. I'm also detoxifying from my India trip -- the pollution was crazy! I'm going to get my hormone levels reevaluated very soon to see what's going on...ugh!

Target carries Boots products, but alas, no cold cream! I checked the ingredients on the brand from Origins, but there were so many additives...

[gluegungeisha]

Also, for anyone concerned about mineral oils, I looked up the ingredient on the Skin Deep database. I've always used this website to check the ingredients in my cosmetics.

http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=703977&refurl=%2Fwordsearch.php%3Fquery%3Dmineral+oil%26

And for Pond's Cold Cream specifically:

http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=71166&refurl=%2Fwordsearch.php%3Fquery%3Dpond%27s+cold+c ream%26

...Interesting. :eek:

[Grnidwitch]

Also, for anyone concerned about mineral oils, I looked up the ingredient on the Skin Deep database. I've always used this website to check the ingredients in my cosmetics.

http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=703977&refurl=%2Fwordsearch.php%3Fquery%3Dmineral+oil%26

And for Pond's Cold Cream specifically:

http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=71166&refurl=%2Fwordsearch.php%3Fquery%3Dpond%27s+cold+c ream%26

...Interesting. :eek:

Geisha,

When you first start using cold cream, break outs can occur due to the fact that the gunk in your pores is coming out. One things settle down, try it again. You might be surprised.

Oh, and you are adorable.

[gluegungeisha]

I'll definitely try the cold cream approach again, but I'll probably make my own from one of the old recipes. I've been checking out the different brands, and each one of them has something about it that I don't like.

For Origins and C.O. Bigelow, there were a bunch of unnecessary and weird ingredients. Pond's is the best I've found in terms of ingredients, but they conduct animal testing! I have, however had great luck cleansing with olive oil, castor oil and grapeseed oil -- I think the effect is similar to that of the active ingredient in cold cream. I also do really well with soothing, creamy cleansers, such as Mychelle's Honeydew Cleanser (http://www.mychelleusa.com/index.php?action=item&id=34&prevaction=category&previd=3&prevstart=0)...I'm CRAZY about this stuff, and it doubles as an eye makeup remover.

Thank you, darling!:)

[Sunny]

Geisha,

When you first start using cold cream, break outs can occur due to the fact that the gunk in your pores is coming out. One things settle down, try it again. You might be surprised.

Oh, and you are adorable.

Is there any kind of limit? I tried using cold cream for months back in the fall and I broke out continuously, and in places like my hairline where I haven't had problems in years, if ever. It was really bad. Maybe I was doing it wrong. :(

[Grnidwitch]

Is there any kind of limit? I tried using cold cream for months back in the fall and I broke out continuously, and in places like my hairline where I haven't had problems in years, if ever. It was really bad. Maybe I was doing it wrong. :(


I don't think you were doing it wrong. You might want to rinse your face after removing the cold cream. I use Ponds make up remover cloths and that seems to work well to remove all traces of the cc. And I know some of the ladies use witch hazel as a toner after removal of the cc.

[Grnidwitch]

I'll definitely try the cold cream approach again, but I'll probably make my own from one of the old recipes. I've been checking out the different brands, and each one of them has something about it that I don't like.

For Origins and C.O. Bigelow, there were a bunch of unnecessary and weird ingredients. Pond's is the best I've found in terms of ingredients, but they conduct animal testing! I have, however had great luck cleansing with olive oil, castor oil and grapeseed oil -- I think the effect is similar to that of the active ingredient in cold cream. I also do really well with soothing, creamy cleansers, such as Mychelle's Honeydew Cleanser (http://www.mychelleusa.com/index.php?action=item&id=34&prevaction=category&previd=3&prevstart=0)...I'm CRAZY about this stuff, and it doubles as an eye makeup remover.

Thank you, darling!:)

I think you are right with the oil. It does have the same affect. And if they work well for you, then keep using them. Your skin looks lovely.

[Helen Troy]

So, I bought Ponds on the net and started the regime. In the beginning, I really like the feel of it and my skin was pretty good. But after using it about three-four weeks, I experienced the worst breakout I have had in years!

I went of the cold cream, and has almost not used it for three-four weeks. No difference in skin, though, it is still as bad.

Sorry if I gross you out, ladies, but I am desperate and have a question: Do you think the breakout can be Ponds fault? At first I thought so, but should it not have been better by now, after I stopped using it? And, now matter the cause, does anybody have any advice that can help me?

[BonnieJean]

So, I bought Ponds on the net and started the regime. In the beginning, I really like the feel of it and my skin was pretty good. But after using it about three-four weeks, I experienced the worst breakout I have had in years!

I went of the cold cream, and has almost not used it for three-four weeks. No difference in skin, though, it is still as bad.

Sorry if I gross you out, ladies, but I am desperate and have a question: Do you think the breakout can be Ponds fault? At first I thought so, but should it not have been better by now, after I stopped using it? And, now matter the cause, does anybody have any advice that can help me?

Exactly what was your routine when you were using the Pond's? And then what was your routine after you quit using the Pond's? It might give us a better idea what could of happened. Hormone problems will also contribute to breakouts.

[Grnidwitch]

Anything could be causing your breakout. If you've stopped the Ponds and you still have issues, it's probably something else. Look at everything you are putting on your face. I wish I could give you more advice but I can't. I'm past the breakout stage even though I do still get a blemish or two if I dont' take off my makeup. Be gentle with your skin until the breakout clears. You could be making it worse by trying a bunch of different products. Go back to what you were doing before the Ponds and see if that will clear things up.

[Sunny]

Okay, I want to try this again and make it work. I have adult acne like at least one other lady on here has mentioned; it was pretty under control using Micro-Retn-A or whatever it's called (prescription cream). A couple weeks or a month in, I started really breaking out all over, on my cheeks, my forehead, my hairline, my chin; except for the last, places that I usually don't break out. It kept up, and I finally quit CC after 2-3 months. That was last fall.

I'm trying to work out what routine is recommended, and I have questions:


Morning, night, or both? If only once, what at the other times?
Remove makeup first? With what?
Wet skin or dry skin?
Massage it on and remove it at once, or let it sit for 30 sec, 60 sec?
Remove with tissue or washcloth (wet, damp, or dry)?
Toner - witch hazel (what strength?) or something else?
Separate moisturizer? How many times a day?


I'd really like your opinions, and what worked for you and what didn't. I want to make this work, and since I'm breaking out again it's not as if CC causes all of my blemishes. :p

[BonnieJean]

I don't know if you were referring to me, but at 48, I still have some adult acne. But since I'd started using the Pond's my skin is a whole lot better. I've used a lot of different facial cleansers in the past, but none have worked as well Pond's. I only use the Pond's at night because it really deep cleans the make-up off my face. This is my routine (forgive me, if I've posted this here before):

Put on a thin layer of Pond's cold cream on my dry skin.

Let it set while I brush my teeth.

Take a baby wipe to remove the worse of the make-up--it really gets the mascara off.

Then I dampen a washcloth with very warm water and finish wiping off my face. The washcloth acts as an exfoliator too and works very well with my sensitive skin. (using a tissue never completely got the cold cream off and my face did breakout a little.)

Then follow it up with a cotton ball dampened with Thayer's Rose Water Witch Hazel. (this stuff is quite inexpensive and leaves my skin soft and smells wonderful!)

In the mornings I usually wash my face with my regular shower gel and if needed, use the witch hazel again.

I find that using the cold cream twice a day is just too much for my skin.

Hope this helps.

[ChezPez]

Hey ladies!

Sorry, I've been traveling for a bit, so I didn't get a chance to thank all you ladies for the help! Really, thank you! The Pond's has been going MUCH better. Didn't irritate my skin at all like Bigelow's version did. I still need to pick up a toner, especially now that it's summer. But I've been alternating between Pond's and my Aveeno face wash in the mean time, so that's seemed to balance it out. I have to ween myself off the face wash. Baby steps.

I'm thinking about trying the grapeseed oil though. I'm working up the courage to try it. I know, it probably wouldn't be so bad, but I'm a bit of a pansy when it comes to new products for the face.

[GoldLeaf]

I have oily skin, and no, this doesn't make it worse. I only use the Pond's at night, massage it into my skin for a minute, and then take a warm wash cloth and gently massage off the cream. I then use a non-alcohol toner to remove the residue, and follow with a night cream. In the morning I cleanse my face in the shower with a gentle cleanser, use toner to remove the residue, and then use Oil of Olay as my daily moisturizer.

The routine in the morning keeps the heavier oils from the Pond's from remaining on my face during the day. Just using it at night helps a ton!

Sunny, hope you don't mind, I quoted myself so I don't have to type it all again, I am lazy lol Here are more details

I use Nivea's Alcohol Free Toner (http://www.amazon.com/Nivea-Alcohol-Free-Moisturizing-Chamomile-6-8-Ounce/dp/B000FKJPHO) to remove the residue from the cold cream. I then use Oil of Olay's Night Moisturizing Cream (http://www.olay.com/products/ge1013)

In the morning I use Ponds Pristine Clean (http://www.ponds.com/pristine.asp) in the shower. I use the Nivea toner when I get out of the shower, and I follow that up with Oil of Olay Complete (http://www.olay.com/boutique/complete/products/co1005)

Maybe even more than the Ponds CC at night, I think the fact that I stopped stripping my face with drying acne treatments really helped. Even the moisturizer I used had salicylic acid in it.

That is the routine I follow on the days I can be bothered. Most days, I don't wash my face at night :eek: Shame on me, I know. But I don't wear makeup most days other than my eyebrows and mascara. [huh] I wash my face in the shower, forget the toner (absent minded!) and put on the Olay Complete. Even doing those few things work quite well for me. I remember my CC at night once or twice a week ::hangs head in shame::

My skin was at its worst when I cleansed and scrubbed with grit and stripped and spot-treated the holy living heck out of my skin. It broke out all the time, and I couldn't figure out why. I was mean to my poor face!

[Blondie]

I know Fleur De Grace uses the Baby Face from Lush, and so do I, it's a solid cleanser in the shape of a little face, " A bar for cleansing the face with cocoa, avocado and she butters, coconut oil, and toning tangerine to melt away makeup and daily grime, leaving you with soft skin. Remove with warm water and a cotton ball " its amazing, so may be worth trying if the cold cream isnt working for you. All their products are great, especially the bath stuff, just dreamy !!!!!!!!! Bathos bubble bar, smells like violets and jasmin and Sex Bomg bath ball are just 2 of my fave's.

[Helen Troy]

Thanks to you all for helping!


Exactly what was your routine when you were using the Pond's? And then what was your routine after you quit using the Pond's? It might give us a better idea what could of happened. Hormone problems will also contribute to breakouts.I used it nigh and morning, massaged it in and then removed with hot water and terry cloth. Then i removed residues with tonic. (I tried different brands, with no noticeable difference in skin. I alternated day by day, so it is not like a specific tonic causes the breakouts.) When I had time, i left the CC on for a while in the shower or while taking a bath.

I found that the CC left my skin not stripped and tight, but not greasy either, just natural smooth. I liked that sensation, and did not use any moisturizer. I did not feel the need to.

I suspect that hormones are to blame in my case. I liked the CC feeling, and I think there is common sense to not stripping to much. So when my skin clears up, I will give CC a second chance.

[Sunny]

BonnieJean and GoldLeaf, that helps immensely. I think I tried doing it twice a day at one point, and I know I never really got down the knack of using a washcloth; I tried tissues. I know that it still felt pretty slick after using the tissues.

BonnieJean, where do you get your Thayer's? I've got some plain witch hazel in a bottle like rubbing alcohol; what percent witch hazel do you recommend? Full strength seems a wee bit harsh.

[BonnieJean]

Sunny,

I get my Thayers at iherb.com. You can see it here. (http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=6792&at=0) It also has aloe vera in it. If you type in Thayers in the search section on this website, you can find other witch hazel products by them. I think they have a lavendar version too, but I haven't tried that.

The Thayers comes in a 12 oz bottle and lasts quite a while. I put some of it into a smaller travel size bottle so its easier to handle and packs great in a suitcase.

Good stuff!

(I think its also available on other websites, just Google the name.)

[jazzzbaby]

Sharing a little tip:

I've just began to use cold cream as an added moisturizer for
my entire body. I get the drug store brand since it is less expensive
and after washing my body...I then add the cold cream to my legs,
arms, neck, stomach, back....let it sit for a minute then rinse....
I then use a washcloth to go over the applied areas.

Now...your body will have that 'oily' feel right after the bath.
However, I do suggest this be done at night because then you
can slip into bed afterwards and wake up to seriously soft skin.

I do this 2-3 times a week. I have found that it makes my skin
feel smooth & soft, and the dryness has gone away.

It's just an added benefit for moisturizing. I saw an episode of Oprah
not to long ago and this gorgeous women who looked to be 65 shocked
the audience when she said she was pushing 80! Her big secret was
moisturizing.....along with spiritual cleansing on a daily basis.
She told the audience "Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!"

That is when I began to think how to add another extra 'oomf' to my
moisturizing routine. This full body cold cream at bath has been
successful for me.

[gluegungeisha]

Hey ladies!
I'm thinking about trying the grapeseed oil though. I'm working up the courage to try it. I know, it probably wouldn't be so bad, but I'm a bit of a pansy when it comes to new products for the face.

As far as the oil cleansing method goes, grapeseed oil probably the best to start with. It has a really light feeling to it. I've found castor oil to be the heaviest, though it's supposedly the best deep pore cleanser. Olive oil is good for dry skin...I ended up using a moisturizer after using pure grapeseed oil. Try experimenting a little with different combinations. Adding a drop or two of either lavender or tea tree oil helps with breakouts with the calming and antibacterial properties of the essential oils.

[ITG]

Bath and Body Works is having their semi-annual sale. I was in there a few days ago and picked up some Bigelow Rose Wonder Cold Cream...a little (.7oz) jar of it for $1.25 (I bought 3 jars) and love it. The rose smell gives it what I might call a vintage smell. If anything, the small size makes for a great travel size.

[Lesvinyl]

Ooh I definitely want to try the Bigelow's Rose Cold Cream! I use the Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel that I got at Henry's after several failed attempts at Rite Aid, Target, and CVS. I love cold cream because I have the driest skin ever. Thanks to all you ladies I am hooked on cold cream and witch hazel!

[ChezPez]

Just a word of warning to those picking up the Bigelow's! It really irritated my skin, and has some weird ingredients. I do have sensitive skin issues, though, so it might not be a problem for everyone, but I thought I'd put it out there.

GlueGunGeisha- thanks for the info about the oils! I feel alot better about trying it out now that I know a little more about it. I'll let you know how it goes!

[sophia la shok]

i started to use boots "traditional" glycerine and rosewater after my cold cream. it's really helped. it gives a little added softness to my skin to top up that of the cold cream.

i also started using it on my elbows cos i'm hoping to get them tattooed soon and they need softening up. so the ink will stay in well. and it's worked a treat. now i use a little when i get dry hands too. it's perfect.

[Mildred]

My favorite cold cream is Pond's for dry skin. It makes my skin feel butter soft. I use a washcloth and warm (not hot) water. I have been using it for years and I think it made my skin look younger.

[roots66]

GlueGunGeisha- thanks for the info about the oils! I feel alot better about trying it out now that I know a little more about it. I'll let you know how it goes!

I've tried the OCM for the past few days and I really like it! I used the basic olive oil/castor oil mix as recommended in most online articles. They often suggest blending 25% EVOO to 75% castor oil if your skin is oily, the reverse if it's dry--since mine is kinda combo I just went 50-50, and I haven't found them to be particularly heavy.

I'd say the results have been comparable to those of cold cream. One difference I do notice, though, is that once the oils are washclothed/rinsed off, my face feels somewhat more...refreshed I guess is the word I'm looking for, than it does after CC. Perhaps the beeswax in CC imparts a little more heaviness? Not saying one sensation is better or worse than the other. I'm as spellbound by the old-fashioned glamour of CC as anyone, plus it's not as messy/spillable as OCM, so I'm sure I'll still want to use CC regularly.

As with any regimen, YMMV. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that this major pizza ingredient won't turn me into a pizza face. But hey, if it's good enough for Sophia (http://www.sophialoren.com/about/viewheadline.php?id=4002) Loren (http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/bellemag/natural/oliveoil.htm)...

[NoirDame]

I really am geniunely interested and not trying to upset anyone, but why would you want a cold cream? I understand the appeal of a vintage look, but with all the advances in skin care, why would you choose what is basically a plain moisturizer instead of something that protects your skin or offers anti-aging benefits?

Now, I'm not saying it has to be a cost issue, there are options available in the drug store, even if I can't say whether or not they work as well as some other department stores lines (I'd have a hard time believing it, personally, because I think you get what you pay for.)

It just seems to be that these vintage style face products clog your pores and are a blanket group and not good for all skin types. Maybe you can explain the appeal to me.

Again, not trying to offend....I'm just trying to understand.

Thoughts?

[Shearer]

I really am geniunely interested and not trying to upset anyone, but why would you want a cold cream? I understand the appeal of a vintage look, but with all the advances in skin care, why would you choose what is basically a plain moisturizer instead of something that protects your skin or offers anti-aging benefits?

Now, I'm not saying it has to be a cost issue, there are options available in the drug store, even if I can't say whether or not they work as well as some other department stores lines (I'd have a hard time believing it, personally, because I think you get what you pay for.)

It just seems to be that these vintage style face products clog your pores and are a blanket group and not good for all skin types. Maybe you can explain the appeal to me.

Again, not trying to offend....I'm just trying to understand.

Thoughts?

Oh, I don't think you're offending anyone! :) I know there are ladies here whom cold creams don't work for. It's just a matter of finding out what works best, I think.

Speaking personally, I have have sensitive skin so the wrong lotion of makeup will turn me red and make me itch. But other than that I don't have any skin problems like acne. In the past I'd used the Clinique 3 step for a long time, and then tried Burt's Bees (which made me red and itchy) and then plain old soap and water for a long time.

I read some good things about Pond's and thought I'd give it a whirl, fully expecting it to NOT work, but since I've started using it my skin's never looked better. I follow it up with witch hazel, and I don't even have to use a moisturizer anymore... which is great, cause sometimes I get dry skin.

Really, it seems like it's just luck of the draw sometimes [huh]

[GoldLeaf]

First, you aren't offending. I know my post will sound a bit "teacher-y" and I tried to make it sound less that way, but i guess it is just part of how I write. So I hope I don't offend with my post, either :)

Second, Cold cream isn't meant to be your daily moisturizer. Its purpose is to remove your makeup and cleanse your skin. Most of use a daily moisturizer in the mornings, and some use a night cream as well. What we use in the morning varies from just a light moisturizer with SPF to line reducing formulas, the same with the night creams. I don't think it gives a vintage look, so I am a bit confused by that sentiment.

As for clogging pores, it has had the opposite effect on my skin. I don't know if you have read through the majority of the thread, but over and over again women have testified to how well cold cream has worked to help reduce break outs.

I am not sure what you mean by "blanket group." Do you mean it blankets your skin? That is why all of us use a toner to remove the residue after cleansing our skin with the cold cream. Just go to the top of page 12 where I post in detail my routine. Many of us have offered our routines step by step. Cold cream does moisturize skin, but it isn't a product that you rub into your face and then leave there. It does need to be removed.

The apeal for me is that it helped me fix my skin. I had a break out on the right side of my face that wouldn't go away, and I had it for about 4 months. Within one week of changing my routine, which included other products besides cold cream, my break out was gone.

Cold cream gets rid of every trace of my makeup. Rarely is there anything on the toner cotton wipe. It does it gently, without drying, clogging, and it smells pretty. My skin is soft, my color more even, and I feel more femanine :)

I don't know if that helps, but those are my thoughts anyway :)

[GoldLeaf]

I would recommend reading through this entire thread

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=12862

There is so much knowledge contained in there. I know it's long, but I learned SO much. I swear by Ponds. I compiled a routine based on what other ladies were doing that worked for me. I outline how I use it, and other ladies do the same in that thread. I am not greasy nor is my skin dull. I am smooth and blemish free. LOVE Pond's.

This is an old post I made that links to a seperate thread that also talks about cold cream quite a bit. A ton of great knowledge there, too :)

[gluegungeisha]

My mother just brought me some rose cold cream from Germany, and it smells delightful! It uses almond oil instead of mineral oil, so I think it might be a fit for my skin. I can't wait to break it out tonight! I'll keep everyone updated on the results.

The brand is Manufactum, and the ingredients are very pure. I actually got a BONANZA of nice face products and cosmetics to try out (my mom has been very sympathetic about my recent breakouts!), and it's amazing how much better the quality of the ingredients were compared to even the high-end stuff I've seen around here. I know the EU has much stricter cosmetic standards than the US, but I didn't know the difference was that dramatic! Mind you, most of the brands are the kind you find at the health food stores, but still...I've seen several surprisingly toxic ingredients in the "natural" brands here.

[GoldLeaf]

Wow, cool, Glue! I will be interested to see what you think!

[RetroModelSari]

Glue, I never heard about that cream and brand, but I´m very interested in hearing about the result. It seems true we have more products with only natural incredients here. The creams I use don´t have any mineral Oil in them either.

[gluegungeisha]

Okay, so I've been using the new cold cream for the past week...

MEH.

If your skin responds well to cold cream, I think you'll like it, and I recommend it because the ingredients are pure and top-quality.

However, my skin clearly hates cold cream. It definitely wasn't drawing anything to the surface...I know what that looks/feels like. I changed over to a regular cream cleanser today, and my skin is already clearing up a lot. I'm definitely staying away from foaming cleansers and the like, but for now, cold cream is just going to be a makeup remover for me. :(

[Etienne]

Gluegungeisha, what make and color of lipstick are you wearing in your avatar? It looks fabulous on you! I posted this to you before but didn't find a response--maybe it's too far back! Anyway, does it tend to stain the lips and do you find that the oils remove it well? Thanks!

[GoldLeaf]

Glue,

What is a regular cream cleanser? I feel silly asking, but I honestly don't know, hehe

[GoldLeaf]

Ok, a new question. I think this may be a good place to add on. We have talked about toners here before, and I am looking for advice. I wanted to get the Thayers rose witch hazel toner, but it has methylparabens in it. I am trying to buy paraben free products now.

Anyone have a recommendation? A found a few, but they are all very expensive, between $20-$30. I don't want to sound cheap, but I guess I am. That would blow a hole in my budget! :(

[gluegungeisha]

Ok, a new question. I think this may be a good place to add on. We have talked about toners here before, and I am looking for advice. I wanted to get the Thayers rose witch hazel toner, but it has methylparabens in it. I am trying to buy paraben free products now.

Anyone have a recommendation? A found a few, but they are all very expensive, between $20-$30. I don't want to sound cheap, but I guess I am. That would blow a hole in my budget! :(

To answer your first question, I meant a milk cleanser...a cleanser that has a creamy, milky texture and doesn't foam. Foaming cleansers tend to dehydrate.

Good for you, going paraben-free! A lot of brands are phasing out parabens because of the obvious breast cancer link, so I think the search will become much easier soon. Burt's Bee's (http://burtsbees.com) took out parabens, I believe -- I think their stuff is more cost-efficient, and good quality. I haven't tried their toners, but I've heard good things about them. The rosewater and glycerin toner sounds amazing!

The toner I use (but am almost out of, ee!) is Mychelle's (http://mychelleusa.com) Fruit Enzyme Mist. Mychelle is a completely non-toxic and ethical brand...I think I've mentioned them like seven times on these boards, hehe! I'm a fan of all of their stuff, especially the Honeydew Cleanser.

[GoldLeaf]

Thanks,Glue, I knew I could count on you :D I looked at Burt's Bees after doing some further extensive searching, and I think they sound like a good idea, too :) It's nice to have your opinion, as I find I really value your knowledge.

I also like that Burts Bees have baby products. They may cost a bit more than a generic bottle of stuff, but at least I know I am protecting my very vulnerable baby!

I looked at Mychelle, too, and was very impressed with the products. I may be able to justify buying some nicer things when my husband's pay goes up after his trial period with his new promotion :) Our lives could change a great deal with this new position. Yay for my hard working husband with an incredible work ethic, a brilliant mind, and a charismatic personality. It pays to be extraordinary :) Sorry for the OT, there, hehehe

I was surprised how many companies label their ingredients "organic", which they are, but then use parabens. I am glad that I just didn't blindly buy a product thinking that organic meant "free of icky stuff" :p

::edit to add this link: I know I mentioned this before, but it took me a while to find it again. This is a list of companies that have pledged to be icky chemical free :) http://www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm

[SarahLouise]

After reading about the brilliant results cold cream seems to get here, I decided to buy some today (Ponds) along with some Boots own brand glycerin and rosewater toner. I've been using the Clinique 3-step routine for about a year now which has helped my acne prone skin a lot but I'm curious about this cold cream routine and want to give it a whirl. Plus I know my Grandma uses it along with Nivea and she looks amazing for her age so she must be doing something right! I also noticed that Ponds do a light day moisturiser (http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1026354&classificationid=1023466), does anybody use this?

[Miss 1929]

I'll let you know what happens. I used it last night (and witch hazel/rosewater/glycerin for a toner after) and my skin looks pretty happy this morning! But time will tell.
Gee, I killed this thread. Here I am editing two days later.
So far, the Pond's seems to agree with me! So well that I have been haunting Ebay looking for the right vintage jar.
BTW, I make my own rosewater and glycerin - I get food grade rosewater (available in Middle Eastern markets,Indian markets, health food stores) and vegetable glycerin (found it at the Walgreens in the African-American hair products area) and added about a teaspoon of glycerin to the rosewater. It seems exactly the same in texture and results as the kind I used to find premixed, which they don't do anymore. And that way I know exactly what is in it.
Speaking of Ponds... who knows what the Ponds Skin Freshener was? Some sort of toner. They used it to remover the film after cleansing with the cold cream. Then they recommended the Vanishing Cream to hold powder. I used to use the VC inthe 80s, before they discontinued it. The closest thing I have found is the Black and White Bleach Cream. They called it Vanishing because it made freckles vanish, therefore... it's a bleach. But it does give a wonderful matte finish!

[Miss 1929]

I strongly suggest you try it!

And I am an oily complexion - it seems to be helping to control the oil! Much less breaking out, and the ones I had are healing faster and going away.

[BonnieJean]

Miss 1929--I've been using the Pond's for over 6 months now and my complexion hasn't looked this good since I was in my teens and that's been quite a while. I used to have adult acne, but since I've been using the Pond's I rarely get a breakout. I have combination skin and the dry, flaky areas are no more. And I made my own rosewater/glycerin/witch hazel toner too. I was buying a commercially made rosewater toner online, but then I decided to try making my own and I like my homemade toner better.
I'm on the lookout for a vintage jar for my Pond's too!

[dollydaydream]

Ok, so my foaming facial cleanser & million in 1 toner tingy should be binned & I get me some cold cream. I'm just so confused!!

My skin is terrible, I have lots of little dry patches on my cheeks (I get quite bad eczema) and have to be careful about what I put on my face as some make the dry bits red. I have blackheads on my nose, which also is quite dry in the mornings, but many people are saying that cold cream is good for the blackheads. I assume it moisturises too(???)

I'm also a bit skint at the moment so I'd appreciate any cheapy recommendations!!! I know I can get bottles of witch hazel from superdrug and similar places yus, so that is taken care of (I use this after using the cold cream?). Nivea in a blue tin, not made in mexico???

[Miss 1929]

Yes, get Ponds cold cream, some of the others are not as nice... and it is pretty inexpensive!
Ands witch hazel is great, too. If it bothers your dry patches, just use it elsewhere. If you find it too drying after a while, you can switch to rosewater which is a very gentle toner. And can be found affordably as a food product!
There is also a with hazel/rosewater combination by Dickinsons. I have seen it in the drugstores a lot lately.
Definitely the important part for me is the hot washcloth to remove the cream, it seems to help steam the blackheads out.
I haven't seen the Nivea not made in Mexico anywhere in the Bay Area - I just can't bring myself to buy anything at the evil Wal Mart, so I am sticking to my Colonial Dames Vitamin E cream, which I adore.
I have seen a great improvement in a week! I am a total convert!

[dollydaydream]

lol My boyfriend will not be able to use the bathroom at this rate! As if I don't spend enough time in there as it is! I need me a vanity!

Ugh, I'm so sad, I'm actually excited about going and buying cold cream!

[Smuterella]

so, cold cream vs OCM - which is better?

I'm struggling a little with the OCM as I can't seem to get the oil out of my eyelashes and then my mascara runs the next day...

[roots66]

so, cold cream vs OCM - which is better?

I'm struggling a little with the OCM as I can't seem to get the oil out of my eyelashes and then my mascara runs the next day...


You might still have the same issue with cold cream...if anything, it's even more oily than OCM itself.

[Fleur De Guerre]

DDD, I don't think any of our Nivea is made in Mexico, so I wouldn't worry. I also wouldn't use it after cold cream, because that is probably too much, but that is just me.

DDD and Smuterella, get a tub of Boots CC. It's only £2.39 so if you don't like it, you've not lost much!

[Smuterella]

Yep, I think I'll give it a go, i'm sure I tried it in my teens and got bored...but it worked well

[dollydaydream]

I know I'm going to end up getting at all in my eyes and stuff. I like to do that.

I believe I have the correct amount of pennies to spend on Boots Cold Cream also, AND there is a Boots locally *hurrah*

[Fleur De Guerre]

If you don't like it, chuck out the cream and you have a super cute, vintage style tub to store other stuff in! :D

I hope they never change the packaging, it's ace.

[dollydaydream]

I love you lot. You're ace :D

[NoirDame]

I wandered in here and I've been trying OCM. I really liked it initially, but my skin has been in a state I've never experienced before.

I used to be (and still am) really really really dry. My skin is tight and in the harsh climate of Ohio, it actually gets flaky.

But, I have breakouts on my chin and under my jaw. I heard that cold cream can help with that and I'm interested it trying it. It also might be less drying than the OCM. (I have some issues with the hot water).

Do you ladies do both treatments alternately or just one? Thanks!

[BonnieJean]

I have combination skin and here's my routine and only do this at night.
I put on a thin layer of Pond's cold cream.
I leave that on a couple minutes while I brush my teeth.
Then I remove the bulk of the cold cream with a make-up remover towelette. (I usually buy the generic)
Next I'll wet a washcloth with warm water and finish removing the cold cream with that. I also think the warm washcloth helps to open up the pores. Sometimes I'll re-wet the washcloth with more warm water to be sure I get all the cold cream off.
I finish my routine with a cotton ball soaked with my homemade rosewater/glycerine/witch hazel toner.
I've been doing this routine over 6 months and have had good results.

[lyburnum]

I swear by Ponds cold cream. I have tried so many other brands, particularly for sensitive skin, but ever since I've been using Ponds my acne has almost completely cleared up (aside from the occasional blemish). My skin is super sensitive and also combination, making it a nightmare most of the time. I make my boyfriend bring me over Ponds cold cream when he visits. An $8 tub lasts me months and months. Boots doesn't stock the big pots here anymore unfortunately. They stock tiny 75ml glass tubs, but they charge £4 for them, which is ridiculous when I can get 269g for $8. Once my boyfriend and I get married ima make his Mum ship me over the cold cream when I run out :rolleyes:

I also use E45 moisturizer in the mornings before I apply my makeup, and this has made a big difference too as it's nowhere near as oily as many of the other brands I've tried (nivea was by far the worst).

[SarahLouise]

Ok, so my foaming facial cleanser & million in 1 toner tingy should be binned & I get me some cold cream. I'm just so confused!!

My skin is terrible, I have lots of little dry patches on my cheeks (I get quite bad eczema) and have to be careful about what I put on my face as some make the dry bits red. I have blackheads on my nose, which also is quite dry in the mornings, but many people are saying that cold cream is good for the blackheads. I assume it moisturises too(???)

I'm also a bit skint at the moment so I'd appreciate any cheapy recommendations!!! I know I can get bottles of witch hazel from superdrug and similar places yus, so that is taken care of (I use this after using the cold cream?). Nivea in a blue tin, not made in mexico???

I started using the cold cream method a few months ago and thoroughly recommend it. However, I used the rosewater and glycerin toner from the Boots traditional range when I first started which made me break out horribly after a few weeks. I literally had five new spots every day and my skin was in very bad shape. I think it was too greasy for my combination skin. I've now switched to distilled witch hazel (which you can get from your local pharmacy for £2, I couldn't find any in Boots/Superdrugs) and my skin cleared right up.

Everybody has their own preferred routine which works well for their skin and I know that some people just rinse off the cold cream without washing with skin cleanser afterwards but I have to otherwise my skin feels too greasy. I use Clinique's liquid facial soap for oily skin but once that runs out I will most likely switch to something cheaper. As for moisturiser recommendations, I flip between Clinique and a really cheap oil free one from Boots skin clear range which is actually quite decent and is a good base for foundation. Seeing as you have sensitive skin though perhaps try the Simple range?

[NoirDame]

I know we can't post live auctions, but there are some vintage cold cream containers made of milk glass on ebay.

[SarahLouise]

DDD, I don't think any of our Nivea is made in Mexico, so I wouldn't worry. I also wouldn't use it after cold cream, because that is probably too much, but that is just me.

DDD and Smuterella, get a tub of Boots CC. It's only £2.39 so if you don't like it, you've not lost much!

Fleur, is the Boots one better than Ponds?

[Fleur De Guerre]

I couldn't say, since I have never tried Ponds! I've never thought to since it is way more expensive and I love the Boots one. [huh]

[MissHannah]

Can you use cold cream to remove eye make-up?

[lyburnum]

Yeah I use it all the time to remove my eye makeup.

If any of the UK ladies want some Ponds let me know, I'm going to stash up myself for the year when I'm back in America in months time. :D

[SarahLouise]

Can you use cold cream to remove eye make-up?

Apparently but I personally would never use it near my eyes as it's too rich. My eyes are very sensitive to cream based eye make-up removers so I can only use a non oily liquid formula (I swear by Simple's one). If you look through the thread I think Daisy and a few other people had eye infections when they tried it near their eyes though.

Thanks Fleur, I may try the Boots one when my Ponds tub runs out! The tub is very cute.

[Miss 1929]

On the other hand, I love it for removing eye makeup!
And it doesn't seem to bother my eyes as much as baby oil did.

[dollydaydream]

Day off work & a trip into town to buy some cold cream:eusa_clap

I've been using E45 wash stuff on my face for the past few days, in the same way as some of you are using the cold cream and it's been great! My skin still feels a little tight but not half as dry as it was before, it's odd,my skin feels soft, but it still has this funny dry feeling too. AND it cleans my make up off amazingly well (I just smear it all over my face before taking my makeup off because I'm lazy).

So E45 Wash is a good substitute for cold cream. But I'm off to Boots to buy a pretty tin now.

:offtopic: My boyfriend & are are buying a house with plenty of room for my girly bits and bobs. I know it's completely irrelevant but I'm so excited at the amount of time I will be able to spend with various lotions & potions on my face, in a lovely new bathroom. lol

[dollydaydream]

I got some of the Boots cream t'other day and oh my it is fantastic!

My skin is definately feeling much better, & I've been using the distilled witch hazel as a toner afterwards. And it smells soooo nice *yay*

Thank you Fleur :D

[cherry lips]

FYI, don't leave Ponds in the trunk of your car on a warm day :eek: The oil WILL leak out onto your Boots lip glaze and other purchases lol

But seriously, out of all the stuff I tried on my skin over the years Pond's has worked the best... and I'm wondering if it's not a coincidence it has the shortest ingredient list of everything I've tried.

I used Clinique for a long time only to be told it was for "mature skin." Burt's Bees caused me to go red and bumpy all over, so that was out. So I just used soap and water for a while and got by on that, but when I tried Pond's I actually improved.
Hmm. I've never heard that Clinique is for mature skin, is that so? I used to have adult acne, but only get a few spots now and then in the same places (some shallow, some deep). I've got combination skin. I've been using the Clinique 3-step (w acne spot treatment) since I was 18, and now I'm 26! I guess I've never dared to switch since it's stabilized my skin, more or less. What are your experiences w Clinique? Does it strip the skin terribly?
All this cold cream talk is tempting, but I live in Sweden where I believe we neither have Ponds nor Boots. I saw SarahLouise had also used clinique - on your avatar you have the most beautiful skin ever! We do have Lush - can Babyface replace cold cream, Fleur de Guerre?

[cherry lips]

I forgot to say, I don't use make-up every day (far from it). Is cold cream to recommend as an everyday cleanser or just as a make-up remover? I've read this entire thread (!) but haven't found the answer to that.

Also, I'm going to try nivea as en eye cream at night.

[Shearer]

Whoops! Sorry I didn't see this yesterday! To answer the Clinique question... I used one of Clinique's 3-step skin care lines. It had a bar soap, a clarifying toner, and a moisturizer. I have sensitive skin, and while it didn't cause me to break out, it sure didn't help in clearing up any problems. The soap by itself was really drying, but I'm sure that effect is different from person to person.

As far as using the cold cream for a makeup remover or daily cleanser, I've definitely done both. I find it takes off eye makeup really well where other makeup removers tend to make my eyes go wonky.

I use my cold cream daily as a cleanser, especially in the winter now when it is very dry. I've noticed that if I get lazy about my daily cold cream routine, my skin will dry out and turns sensitive again.

Hope that helps! :)

[dollydaydream]

I have to agree with that! I use mine as a daily cleanser & when I have missed a day I can really tell the difference. I am, however getting quite a few spots on my chin the past few days. Luckily they aren't lasting too long, but cold cream makes blackheads disappear hurrah! If only you knew how many years I have spent trying various products to get rid of them bad boys lol

[Mary]

I have been looking all over town for cold cream but the closest I got was Jergens All purpose Face cream. Is this simular to cold cream?

http://www.amazon.com/Jergens-All-Purpose-Face-Cream-425g/dp/B0002F1H6E

The ingredients are mineraloil, water, beeswax ,magensium aliminium silicate, sodium borate, fragarence, isopropyl myristate, dmdm hydantoin, red 4.

Fun reading;) I know but I really would appreciate if you could tell me if this is something like it.

I so envy you. You can find it everywhere.

Cold cream just seems like a miracle and I'm dying t give it a try.

M

[BlancheDubois]

Mary,

Jergens All Purpose Face Cream can be considered a cold cream in my opinion.

Here are the ingredients on the label of my Pond's Cold Cream:

mineral oil, water, beeswax, ceresin, , sodium borate, fragrance, carbomer

[Fleur De Guerre]

Cherry Lips, Babyface can definitely be used in place of cold cream! I haven't used mine for ages actually, thanks for reminding me! I hope it hasn't gone off.

[Mary]

Thanks Blanche Dubois. I'll try it then and tell you how it goes.

[RitaHayworth]

Several months ago, my skin just seemed to respond to nothing!

I went to my local department store, and around $200 and many samples later, I came home with milk, toner, two moisterisers, a mask, an exfoliator and serum, all claiming ot help my skin.

They certainly did help, but I still deal with redness and irritation and itchyness.

Whilst cleaning my bathroom cupboard out not long ago - there they all were!

i am tempted to put them all in a box and go the cold cream, and the nivea for a while. I have recently gone " back to basics" with my hair, maybe my skin would benefit too.

Sometimes I think the old way was the better way!

[RitaHayworth]

it probably sounds nuts, but i mix salt or sugar in my cold cream about once a week for a nice dermabrasion. rinse with warm water and regular wash cloth. takes off the dead skin and leaves my skin feeling very fresh. i am older than most of you girls here and need all the help i can get trying to make my skin look good.:)

rsg

Not nuts at all - I use brown sugar to exfoliate my scalp since i dont use shampoo. Works a treat!

[SarahLouise]

I saw SarahLouise had also used clinique - on your avatar you have the most beautiful skin ever!

I wish that was me! lol My avatar is the actress/singer Deanna Durbin.

I used Clinique for a few years and it definitely did help my skin. I used the 3-step routine for combination/oily skin and switched to the Anti-Blemish range half way through which surprisingly wasn't as good as the previous routine, especially the moisturiser. I then switched back to the oily range. I would recommend Clinique to anyone but I simply was curious about the cold cream/witch hazel routine as everybody seems to get such great results from it. So to clarify, I didn't stop using Clinique because it wasn't working, I just wanted to try something new!

[RitaHayworth]

I wish that was me! lol My avatar is the actress/singer Deanna Durbin.

I used Clinique for a few years and it definitely did help my skin. I used the 3-step routine for combination/oily skin and switched to the Anti-Blemish range half way through which surprisingly wasn't as good as the previous routine, especially the moisturiser. I then switched back to the oily range. I would recommend Clinique to anyone but I simply was curious about the cold cream/witch hazel routine as everybody seems to get such great results from it. So to clarify, I didn't stop using Clinique because it wasn't working, I just wanted to try something new!

I have used, and currently still do, Clarins and Clinique. Both very nice. With an extra nice price tag out here in Australia too.....

If my $6 pot of Nivea is going to work just as well as my $70 Clarins....I'll go the nivea!

[cherry lips]

Thanks for your reply, ladies. I have quite a lot of clinique stored away, and since it's cost me a pretty penny, I figure I'll wait till I run out before switching to the cold cream regime. This thread will sure come in handy when I do!

[Mary]

I've tried the cold cream over the weekend and I am beginning to feel hopeful. Yesterday I had it on for maybe half an hour and that made a difference I think. You all seem to have it on for maybe one minute. Can you have it on to long? I'm truly a beginner with skincare so a don't know.

I'd also like to ask if you rub it around in the face och just put in on your skin and let i stay there for a while? Can it really clean if it still on the face? Or do I put bacterias in the pores when I rub it about?

Now I'm going to hunt down some witch hazel! If someone in the nordic countries have a tip where to find some, please let me know. Have been to the major shops, the pharmacy and the afro-american shops already.

M

[RitaHayworth]

I went the Dove "Deep Cleansing Cream" tonight - apparently Dove replaced Ponds in Australia. :(

Then I put the Nivea on - it was a little greasy when I was done - and I was worried of having more oil than the Exxon Valdez. But, half an hour later. all had blended in! No tight feeling, no red blotches, no feeling of any effects wearing off quickly.

Im going to make a blend of olive oil and castor oil and give it a try!

[dollydaydream]

I've tried the cold cream over the weekend and I am beginning to feel hopeful. Yesterday I had it on for maybe half an hour and that made a difference I think. You all seem to have it on for maybe one minute. Can you have it on to long? I'm truly a beginner with skincare so a don't know.

I'd also like to ask if you rub it around in the face och just put in on your skin and let i stay there for a while? Can it really clean if it still on the face? Or do I put bacterias in the pores when I rub it about?

I'm new to this cold cream thing, so I'm no expert, but I leave mine on for anything up to 15 minutes, depending on what I'm up to [huh] I smear it on my skin, then give it a bit of a massage, especially on my nose where I had a lot of blackheads & my chin, where I get spots & my cheek where I have a particularly stubborn patch of dry skin, then just leave it for a bit. It made me break out in spots on my chin after the first few days, but surprisingly, they disappeared in no time at all. On the rare occasions I have a relax in the bath, I put the cold dream on before getting in, do my business & then put a hot flannel on my face for a few minutes, but I haven't noticed this making a particularly big difference, it just feels nice.

As I say, I'm no expert, but this works for me :)

[sophia la shok]

I'm new to this cold cream thing, so I'm no expert, but I leave mine on for anything up to 15 minutes, depending on what I'm up to [huh] I smear it on my skin, then give it a bit of a massage, especially on my nose where I had a lot of blackheads & my chin, where I get spots & my cheek where I have a particularly stubborn patch of dry skin, then just leave it for a bit. It made me break out in spots on my chin after the first few days, but surprisingly, they disappeared in no time at all. On the rare occasions I have a relax in the bath, I put the cold dream on before getting in, do my business & then put a hot flannel on my face for a few minutes, but I haven't noticed this making a particularly big difference, it just feels nice.

As I say, I'm no expert, but this works for me :)

that happened to me when i first started using cold cream. the breakout thing. which one do you use? i use the boots own traditional one and they have a moisturising cream that goes with it. i find that if you use that after you wipe off your cold cream last thing before you go to bed it works beautifully. certainly makes a difference for me and i seem to have exactly the same skin issues that you do.

also in between the cold cream and moisturiser i use a dab of distilled withchazel (once or twice a week cos it's kinda strong) on problem areas and then a bit of rosewater and glycerin which seems to keep my skin all nourished.

i've been doin that for a year and my skin is wickedly smooth-tastic now!

[dollydaydream]

that happened to me when i first started using cold cream. the breakout thing. which one do you use? i use the boots own traditional one and they have a moisturising cream that goes with it. i find that if you use that after you wipe off your cold cream last thing before you go to bed it works beautifully. certainly makes a difference for me and i seem to have exactly the same skin issues that you do.

also in between the cold cream and moisturiser i use a dab of distilled withchazel (once or twice a week cos it's kinda strong) on problem areas and then a bit of rosewater and glycerin which seems to keep my skin all nourished.

i've been doin that for a year and my skin is wickedly smooth-tastic now!

I use the Boots one too!! I love Boots too many. Almost as much as Primark :o I didn't have enough pennies for the moisturiser when I got the cold cream but I don't want to shove too much stuff on my face because things are going ok at the moment & I know how temperamental my body is! I use witchazel after my cold cream in the morning, but not at night. My face slips towards my neck if I don't do that and nobody likes cheek mascara - it's not sexy apparently [huh]

I'm just really worried about putting anything on my face now because the cold cream appears to have solved years of skin problems that the latest face wash/scrub/cleanser didn't help at all. Yay cold cream!

[Mary]

Thanks dollydaydream for your response. I have had some cold cream on for half an hour so maybe it's enough. Actually got hold of some witch hazel as well and feel so happy. Will try that to. Now I'll wait a week and then evaluate.

M

[Smuterella]

Not nuts at all - I use brown sugar to exfoliate my scalp since i dont use shampoo. Works a treat!

Hi Rita

Can you tell me more about this brown sugar thing?

I'm so intrigued as am trying the conditioner only thing but my scalp gets itchy

[RitaHayworth]

Hi Rita

Can you tell me more about this brown sugar thing?

I'm so intrigued as am trying the conditioner only thing but my scalp gets itchy

I sure can!

I have naturally curly hair, and after it driving me crazy, gave in and tried.
How long have you been on it? You need to hang in there for at least 3/4 weeks to notice a change and for your scalp to "normalise".

With the scrub - I get a table spoon of brown sugar to tablespoons of conditioner. I wet my hair, and massage it into the scalp. Gives me volume, definition and soft hair.

I also use Apple Cider Vinegar and Bi Carb soda to "wash" my hair with. But not together.

Your scalp will get itchy - apparently a touch of lavender oil soothes it or just "spot clean" - where you wash with conditioner only

Also - make sure you use nothing with a silicone in it. Ie: Dimethicone, Amodiethicone, Cyclopethisxane (or something!) etc. If it has a PEG in front of it - that is silicone that is water soluble!

PM if you need further help!!!

[RitaHayworth]

I must have looked funny at the super market as these were in my trolley:

1 bottle extra virgin olive oil
1 bottle Witchhazel
1 bottle Apple Cider Vinegar

Ready to take home to brew up my potions!!

OOps! Cant forget the box of tea leaves for the teapot!

[ShrinkingViolet]

Now I'm going to hunt down some witch hazel! If someone in the nordic countries have a tip where to find some, please let me know. Have been to the major shops, the pharmacy and the afro-american shops already.

M

Okay, after a short googling frenzy I found two Scandinavian suppliers of witch hazel, this one (http://www.douglasdotter.se/BestallningAnsiktsvard.html) and this one (http://www.softskin.se/ekologiska-oertvatten-p-110.html).
I'll definitely order from one of these. I usually use Mellisa skin tonic (http://www.mellisa.dk/skintonic.htm) which contains witch hazel but I'd prefer the more concentrated kind.
By the way, I have a vintage beauty book which has diagrams of how to apply cold cream, they're rather funny, I'll see if I can post pictures of them later!

[Smuterella]

oh thanks, that would be great. I'm thinking of citching the OCM in favour of cold cream soon as the OCM isn't getting rid of my blocked pores and everyone says the cold cream does

[RitaHayworth]

I bought some witchazel the other day - is it meant to smell slightly unpleasant?

[SarahLouise]

I bought some witchazel the other day - is it meant to smell slightly unpleasant?

I thought that too. Everybody else seems to like the smell but I think it's horrible!

[Mary]

I like the smell. Mine smells like cold green tea.

I actually found this amazing webpage called shenet.se about old beauty recipes. It is in Swedish but has this translator so you can use it in english to. Haven't tried the English version so I can't recommend it to you.

But let me know if you wan't a recipe or want to know everything about an ingredient or the history of coldcream or anything. I'll be happy to translate. They have 69 coldcream recipes and lots of dry shampoos and well everything.

M

[Smuterella]

cold cream recipes? to make you own. sounds fabulous!

[Fleur De Guerre]

I adore the smell of witch hazel...always have. It reminds me of being little too!

[dollydaydream]

Am I about the only person who didn't realise witch hazel had a smell? lol

[ShrinkingViolet]

Okay, so the text is in Danish but I thought I'd post it anyway as at least a handful of you will be able to read it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/2332952538_b8473a7d2b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/2332953028_33938cd1f8.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/2332127717_68575cddfc.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2332128155_61a6222d40.jpg
Basically it says that a good cleansing cream is made of mineral oil and paraffin and that you should always work you way upwards with light, circular movements, never downwards, leave on the cold cream while you brush your teeth, then wipe off with kleenex and follow with a toner, following the same directions.

... this one is my favourite, don't you just love the expression in her eyes in the middle picture? lol
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2332128639_6f061184aa.jpg

Just ask if there's something if you'd like to have translated. :)

[epr25]

What are they talking about with the mummy lady. I am assuming this si some sort of mask?