Cold Creams & Cleansers: Why They’re So Popular Again
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La Biosthétique Cold Cream, £26.50
Best For: Priming Skin
Billed as ‘first aid for the skin’, this gentle cold cream has been hugely popular since hitting the shelves. A water-in-oil emulsion, it’s lightweight, while still providing a hefty dose of moisture to the skin. It acts almost like a sealant, providing a layer of protection that locks water in but also prevents any from seeping out, thanks to ceramides and hydrating phytosterols. Make-up artists love it for its fast-absorbing texture which leaves skin smooth, plump and primed for any products that follow. Its thin texture means it never causes pilling or rolling of make-up. Keep it handy when exposed to cold winds or dry heat.
Available At LaBiosthetique.co.uk
Avène Cold Cream, £8.25 (was £11)
Best For: Soothing Sensitives
Formulated with beeswax and thermal spring water, this much-loved cream has had tiny tweaks over the years to maintain its moisturising status. Ideal for both face and body, it can be left on the skin and is especially beneficial to anyone suffering with sensitives. Its thin, sheer texture layers up well without suffocating the skin. Acting like a drink for dryness, it soaks up all flakiness and chapped areas immediately – use it on the lips, elbows, eyelids, or anywhere that needs a speedy boost of moisture. Extra points for the subtle sheen it gives skin. A must-have come winter, this one’s brilliant year-round, especially if you’re suffering with sunburn come summer.
Available At NVSPharmacy.co.uk
The Seated Queen The Cold Cream, £39
Best For: Versatility
New to the market, this intensely rich cleansing cream does a bit of everything. From dissolving your make-up to acting as a double cleanse, rejuvenating mask and night cream, there is little it doesn’t cover. Using only organic, vegan ingredients, it’s as pared back as can be, with cold-pressed oils and apricot kernel to plump, hydrate and strengthen the skin over time. Its gentle fragrance of frankincense is so satisfying – and mild enough to never irritate or cause any inflammation. Slather it on overnight and leave if you’re feeling lazy, or massage a generous amount into your skin, sweeping away dirt, grime and make-up swiftly. You’ll love how soft and plump your skin feels after, as well as the luminous glow that’s left behind.
Available At CultBeauty.com
Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser, £5.99
Best For: Reliability & Consistent Results
It wouldn’t be a round-up of cold creams without Pond’s. One of the first brands to adopt the ‘cold’ concept, it remains a bestseller thanks to ever-improving formulas like this one. Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser is 50% moisturiser and 50% cleanser, making it a great multipurpose staple at just £5.99. A small amount will dissolve all traces of make-up; or leave on a thick layer overnight to replenish skin of any lost moisture. You’ll find skin is much softer post-use, with renewed glow – no wonder the likes of Kylie Minogue swear by Pond’s. The only thing worth noting is it is thicker and slightly oilier than some of the other options on this list, so apply it well before you follow up with any make-up to avoid any sliding of product.
Available At Boots.com
Pure Altitude Cold Cream, €32
Best For: Combination & Oily Skin
This is hard to get hold of but it’s worth the shipping fees. Available from the Les Fermes de Marie spa in the Alpine resort of Megève, it’s incredibly rich, thanks to beeswax, glacier water and edelweiss. The brightening formula works to hydrate, smooth, fight off damaging pollution and cleanse away the day’s dirt. It was designed to feel like cashmere, so you can expect it to have a softening and cosseting texture that cocoons the skin in much-needed moisture. Use it on the face or body – wherever you feel you need it most – and you’ll reap benefits within days. Its rich texture makes it especially effective for those with dry, mature skin, but it can be used on those with delicate skin too, including children, babies and pregnant women. You’ll also love the soft orange blossom and sandalwood scent.
Available At Pure-Altitude.com
Susanne Kaufmann Cold Cream Intensive, £58
Best For: Dryness & Eczema-Prone Skin
Susanne Kaufman grew up in the Austrian Alps, which inspired her to create this rich cream to help protect skin against harsh elements. Despite it being formulated for use in wintry conditions, it’s great year-round, thanks to a nourishing texture that can bring inflammation down at speed and ward off any small outbursts of eczema or psoriasis. Jojoba oil, beeswax and echinacea come together to create a protective barrier on the skin that’s never sticky or greasy – just hydrating and smooth. Anyone can use this one, but those with dry to very dry skin will see the biggest benefits.
Available At SusanneKaufmann.com
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