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KNSY / Picture Press / Getty Images
A go-to for beauty devotees born before the 1980s, cold cream is an OG in the world of skincare. Traditionally, it was a mixture of mineral oil, petrolatum (aka petroleum jelly), and beeswax. However, today's iterations can be made with a range of other skin-friendly ingredients, like plant oils and antioxidants.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is the dermatologist-approved Pond's Cold Cream Makeup Remover, which not only effectively removes makeup, but also hydrates even the most sensitive skin. For a more splurge-worthy pick, consider Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck Chest SPF 25, a youth-boosting cold cream that not only plumps skin but also targets everything from fine lines and wrinkles to dark spots and contains a protective SPF.
"Cold cream formulations vary, but they usually contain larger oil-to-water ratios, which gives it the smooth and creamy texture," says dermatologist Hysem Eldik, MD.
Meet the Expert
- Hysem Eldik, MD, is a dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York. Specializing in both general and cosmetic dermatology, he offers everything from eczema and acne treatments to chemical peels and fillers.
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
The purpose of cold cream depends on who you talk to, but according to Eldik, most people use it "as a moisturizing makeup remover that doesn't harshly strip the skin."
Ahead, find the best cold creams for when you need ultra-moisture.
Best Overall
Pond's Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser
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Amazon
Affordable
Effective makeup remover
Dermatologist-recommended
Contains synthetic fragrance
Often imitated, never duplicated, Pond's Cold Cream is a true classic. "This is my absolute favorite," says dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, noting that the gentle yet effective formula is a great option for sensitive complexions. "It leaves the skin soft, doesn't strip its natural hydrators, and does a phenomenal job removing makeup."
This iconic product earned a 4.8 out of 5 overall score from our home tester, who liked the affordable price point and how effortlessly it removed every last smidgen of makeup. "The primary makeup-grabbing ingredient is mineral oil," Nazarian explains, "and it wipes away easily with a damp cloth."
Price at time of publish: $6 for 6.1 oz
Key Ingredients: Mineral oil, beeswax | Size: 3.5–9.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
What Our Testers Say
“One of the best things about this cream—other than its miraculous youth-enhancing effects—is its smell. The scent is so fresh and so clean.” —Jen Hubley Luckwaldt, Product Tester
Best Budget
Nivea Crème
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Amazon
Affordable
Generous amount
Rich moisturization
Contains synthetic fragrance
Nivea Crème is another tried-and-true product with a budget-friendly price tag. Though it's not recommended for makeup removal, the super-rich concoction can be used from head to toe when your skin craves moisture. You didn't hear it from us, but some people say it's a dupe of Crème de la Mer on account of the mineral oil-petrolatum base.
Price at time of publish: $12
Key Ingredients: Mineral oil, petrolatum | Size: 13.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Melting Balm
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Amazon
Affordable
Gentle formula
Leaves skin soft
Contains paraffin
Contains PEGs
Neutrogena makes a great cold cream-esque cleansing balm. Instead of mineral oil and petroleum jelly, it calls on coconut oil and carnauba wax to gently melt away makeup without drying out the skin, while vitamin E soothes and softens.
Price at time of publish: $11
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, carnauba wax, vitamin E | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Splurge
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck Chest SPF 25
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Amazon
Treats and prevents
Noticeable results
Contains SPF
Expensive
This splurge-worthy cream is an anti-aging workhorse. The kicker is plasma in the form of DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol), which targets everything from fine lines and wrinkles to dark spots and loss of elasticity. It also offers SPF 25 protection from the sun's rays, plus an antioxidant shield from free radical damage. So, even though this cold cream has a higher price point, we think it’s worth it.
Price at time of publish: $65
Key Ingredients: Dimethylaminoethanol, titanium dioxide, niacinamide, vitamin C | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Makeup Remover
Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser and Makeup Remover
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Amazon
Affordable
Effective
Minimal ingredients
Contains paraffin
This no-nonsense cream cleanser is ideal for removing foundation, mascara, and eyeliner. "Consider it a moisturizing makeup remover, rather than an irritating, drying makeup remover that contains alcohol or other inflammatory ingredients," Nazarian says.
Price at time of publish: $13
Key Ingredients: Mineral oil, petrolatum | Size: 12 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Eye Makeup Remover
Clinique Naturally Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
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Ulta
Effective
Fragrance-free
Safe for contact lenses
Contains PEGs
This product looks and feels like a creamy lotion, but it's designed specifically to remove eye makeup. The super-emollient, fragrance-free formula effectively gets rid of every last trace of mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow without irritation. We appreciate that it's safe for contact lenses and doesn't leave you with an oily feeling.
Price at time of publish: $23
Key Ingredients: Hydrogenated polyisobutene, sesame seed oil | Size: 2.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Waterproof Makeup
Mario Badescu Cucumber Make-Up Remover Cream
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Amazon
Affordable
Effective
Soothing
Contains paraffin
Contains synthetic fragrance
Waterproof makeup? Mario Badescu is your guy. Following a classic cold cream formula, this buttery cleanser contains a blend of mineral oil, petrolatum, and beeswax to gently dissolve even the most stubborn, highly pigmented, long-wear products without stripping your skin. You'll also get a refreshing dose of cucumber extract to soothe and hydrate.
Price at time of publish: $12
Key Ingredients: Mineral oil, petrolatum, beeswax, cucumber extract | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Cleanser
Eve Lom Original Balm Cleanser
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Nordstrom
Award-winning product
Muslin cloth included
Dermatologist-recommended
Expensive
Contains PEGs
Many dermatologists love this rich cleansing balm from Eve Lom, and Nazarian is also a fan. "It uses lanolin rather than mineral oil, so make sure to avoid it if you have a lanolin allergy," she says. "It also has essential oils, which give it a great fragrance and a fresh appeal."
Price at time of publish: $17
Key Ingredients: Mineral oil, beeswax | Size: 0.7–6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
What Our Testers Say
“The genius gel-to-balm texture makes for easier (and cleaner) application.” —Victoria Hoff, Product Tester
Best Moisturizer
Honest Calm + Heal Melting Balm
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Amazon
Nice consistency
Non-irritating
Long-lasting moisture
High price per ounce
This balm-style moisturizer contains a medley of nourishing ingredients. We're talking allantoin to heal and protect, shea butter and plant oils to soothe and replenish the skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration.
Price at time of publish: $33
Key Ingredients: Allantoin, shea butter, plant oils, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Dry Skin
Bioderma ABCDerm Cold-Cream
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Amazon
Hygienic container
Good for face and body
Long-lasting moisture
Contains paraffin
Contains synthetic fragrance
If you're dealing with exceptionally dry skin, Bioderma is your best bet. With a back-to-basic blend of mineral oil and beeswax, this cold cream acts as a nourishing moisturizer for your face and body. The versatile formula is also gentle enough for babies and kids.
Price at time of publish: $12
Key Ingredients: Mineral oil, beeswax | Size: 1.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Hands
Avène Cold Cream
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Walgreens
Repairative
Non-greasy formula
Dermatologist-recommended
Contains PEGs
Dermatologists including Eldik stand behind Avène Cold Cream. "It's got a great texture without the oily, shiny feel of other brands," he tells Byrdie. Though this product is technically for your hands, you can apply it on your face and anywhere else in need of reparative moisture.
Price at time of publish: $14
Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water, mineral oil, beeswax | Size: 1.6 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
What Our Experts Say
"A cold cream gets its rep by the cool sensation on your skin that occurs after application." —Hysem Eldik, MD, Dermatologist
Best for Evening Skincare
The Seated Queen Cold Cream Cleanser
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Cult Beauty
Multi-use product
Contains organic ingredients
No petroleum byproducts
Expensive
The Seated Queen's hero product is an incredibly versatile cold cream you want on hand during your evening skincare routine. This multi-tasking all-star can be used as a cleansing balm, a moisturizing night cream, or a soothing overnight mask. And unlike traditional cold creams, it doesn't contain mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, or other petroleum byproducts.
Price at time of publish: $47
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, plant oils | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Multi-Tasker
Loli Beauty Date Nut Brûlée Nourishing Miracle Balm
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Amazon
Organic
No petroleum byproducts
Eco-conscious company
Pricey
It might look like a jar of puréed-pea baby food, but Date Nut Brûlée is a modern, eco-conscious take on cold cream. Instead of petroleum byproducts and beeswax, the vegan-friendly formula leans on a blend of organic plant oils and sunflower seed wax. You can use it as a cleansing balm, a waterproof eye makeup remover, a head-to-toe moisturizer, a restorative mask, or even a chapped lip remedy.
Price at time of publish: $48
Key Ingredients: Date kernel oil, olive oil, sunflower seed wax | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is the dermatologist-approved Pond's Cold Cream Makeup Remover, which not only effectively removes makeup, but also hydrates even the most sensitive skin. For a more splurge-worthy pick, consider Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck Chest SPF 25, a youth-boosting cold cream that not only plumps skin but also targets everything from fine lines and wrinkles to dark spots and contains a protective SPF.
What to Look for in a Cold Cream
Sensitive Skin-Friendly
Cold creams are, by nature, pretty gentle in terms of how they cleanse the skin and remove makeup. Still, Nazarian suggests seeking out formulas that work well with sensitive skin, as you wouldn’t want to use anything that could potentially cause irritation or inflammation. It’s also important to consider what works well for your skin—if you’re allergic to lanolin, don’t choose a formula that uses it rather than traditional mineral oil.
Non-Comedogenic Formulas
Nazarian also recommends looking for cold creams that specifically state they won’t clog your pores. Since they're typically on the thicker and heavier side, a cold cream that isn’t non-comedogenic can potentially lead to breakouts—even if your skin isn’t oily or acne-prone.
No Filler Ingredients
As you would with any skincare product, Nazarian suggests looking for formulas that don’t include sulfates or parabens, as well as synthetic fragrances and other filler ingredients. “Nearly all cold creams are meant to be a combination of oil and water as its main ingredients,” she says, so there’s no need for anything extra other than added moisturizers or ingredients with actual skin benefits.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and bonafide skincare nerd. For this story, she compiled the expertise of two dermatologists, who provided product recommendations and insight into formulations and the different uses for cold cream. Before making the final selections, she combed through reviews, pored over ingredient lists, and referenced several peer-reviewed articles. From the above, she has personally used Pond's, Avène, Nivea, Mario Badescu, and Clinique.
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