UPDATE MARCH 2017:
This was originally posted way back in August 2014 and it’s now March 2017.
It’s one of my most popular and most searched for posts EVER – so I wanted to do a little update on how I use the cold cream in my skincare routine.
Basically: I don’t use anything else. This is the ONLY cleanser I’ve used for the past two years. And I was using it on and off for a year before that as well.
It has completely transformed my skin. Every evening I take my makeup off using the method outlined below and my skin has honestly never looked so good in my entire life.
It’s simple, it’s fast, it doesn’t sting my eyes and it’s super gentle on my sensitive skin. Best of all? It removes waterproof mascara without even trying.
There’s a reason why it was a favourite of so many classic Hollywood starlets y’know! (Seriously. Their cold cream has been selling non-stop since 1907 and Kylie Minogue is one of their biggest fans!)
(PS. I’ve kept the original photos from this post because LOL LOOK AT MY DERP FACE THOUGH.)
I’ve never had great skin.
I get frequent hormonal acne over my chin and neck, and it’s never managed to quite go away. My eyes also suffer quite a lot. I have to use waterproof mascara cos my eyes water constantly, and after years of using Simple’s eye-makeup remover with no problems, suddenly they were stinging and hurting like hell every time I tried to take my makeup off.
Not fun.
I needed a change and, luckily for me, in 2014 Pond’s Institute got in touch and offered to send me a pot of their cold cream cleanser to try. And I’ve never looked back.
What is Cold Cream?
Wikipedia says that cold cream is an “emulsion of water particles suspended in oil”. Whatever the heck that means.
Basically: on the outside it looks like a normal thick white face cream, but when you massage it on to your face it melts into a soft oil consistency and dissolves all the dirt and makeup off your face.
Magic!
Despite Pond’s being such an iconic brand, it seems to have got lost in a sea of new up-and-coming cleansing creams, gels, waters and gadgets – so not many people have heard of it.
It’s a weird ol’ consistency if you’re not used to it, and I really struggled to find any really good tutorials on how to apply it.
But you know what? It’s actually super easy. After weeks months years of testing and trialling, here’s what I found works for me:
STEP 1: Applying the cold cream
First of all: pull your hair back off your face and wash your hands. Because hygiene.
Next, take a big gob of cold cream from the pot (use a little plastic spatula if you’re worried about germs) and spread it over your entire face and neck. Massage it in gently and it’ll start melt into an oil and feel very greasy. Don’t let that put you off!
The thick texture can feel weird to start with if you’re only used to really light formulas (like a micellar water for example), but I actually LOVE it. It feels super luxurious and moisturising and smells diviiine.
Also: don’t be afraid to massage it straight into your eyes!
My eyes are super sensitive. I mentioned above that Simple’s eye-makeup remover was really uncomfortable for me. Everything else I’ve tried has also been either too harsh or totally rubbish at removing waterproof mascara (nothing quite like getting out of the shower with unexpected panda eyes right?)
But cold cream not only removes EVERY LAST SWIPE of black, it also doesn’t hurt, sting or anything.
I can massage my lids, my lashes and under my eyes with absolutely no problems at all. Seriously. It is brilliant.
You do end up looking a bit like a chimney sweep (which I found hilarious the first time!) but don’t worry about that because it all comes off in the next step…
(^^^ Black eyeliner and mascara smeared all over my face. Attractive right?)
STEP 2: Removing the cold cream
Go wash your hands again.
They’re gonna be all greasy and black from massaging in the cream, and it will make your life so much easier for the next step if that’s all gone.
It also gives the cleanser a couple of essential extra seconds to finish dissolving all the makeup on your face.
Now, on their website, Pond’s recommend using a warm, wet cloth to remove the cleanser. Kind of like the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish.
But, personally, I don’t like using cloths. It’s such a pain having to wash and re-wash them every single day (which you totally have to do cos ew germs) and I’m a lazy slob at heart. I like my skincare routine to be fast and easy!
So cotton wool balls are a must-have for me. I did start off using cotton pads, but these are softer and much less harsh on my skin.
I’ve also found that they tend to absorb the excess oil better than the pads do so there’s that.
(This is how disgusting your cotton wool will look after you’ve finished wiping off the cream. Lovely…)
STEP 3: Toner
Disclaimer: I currently don’t use a toner.
In my head there is absolutely no need for me to use one cos I had no idea what a toner even does.
BUT. I recently (last week) learned that apparently they’re there to balance out the PH levels in your skin. So now I’m starting to feel that maybe I should go buy a toner. Maybe.
STEP 4: Moisturiser
Despite my problems with their makeup remover, I still use Simple’s Hydrating Rich moisturiser on a twice-daily basis. (UPDATE: this is still true in 2017!)
It just seems to work for my skin and if it ain’t broke, why fix it. Right?
THE PRICE
Let’s talk about the dollah shall we?
You can buy Pond’s Institute Cold Cream in Boots, Superdrug and Tesco for less than £5. Seriously.
It’s a pretty smallish pot, but I use it daily and can usually make it last about 6 weeks. So I’d say it’s EXCELLENT value for money!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now the pic you’ve all been waiting for (LOL): my totally no-makeup, just-been-cleansed face. In all it’s delightful close-up glory…
In case you hadn’t gathered yet, I heart Pond’s Institute’s cold cream cleanser.
I recommend it to everyone!
*I was originally sent one free sample of Pond’s Institute Cold Cream and Eye Cream to try and review in 2014.
Since then, every single pot has been repurchased by me.
