
Pond's Cold Cream vs. Noxzema vs. Stridex: Who is Best for Makeup Removing and Deep Cleansing?
- Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser, Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream, and Stridex Maximum Strength Pads are all skincare products, but they serve different purposes and have distinct formulations. Pond's Cold Cream and Noxzema are both cleansing creams designed to remove makeup and moisturize, while Stridex is a medicated acne treatment with salicylic acid. So which one is best for you? Below, we will make a comparison to help you choose.
The Difference & Reviews
| Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser
CVS: $11.99/268g (up to 7% cashback)
Walgreens: $6.99/99g (up to 4% cashback)
What Is It?
This iconic product is a super-powered solution to your nighttime cleansing routine, made with a perfect blend of moisturizing and cleansing properties. Simple yet effective, the Cold Cream Cleanser is designed to dissolve all traces of makeup while moisturizing your skin for a soft and radiant complexion.
Unlike ordinary cleansers, POND'S Cold Cream works to both cleanse and moisturize while even working wonders as an eye makeup remover—a true multitasker! Using POND'S Cold Cream Cleanser is a breeze, even for newcomers. Simply apply a thin layer to your skin, gently massage it in, and remove it by wiping with cotton pads or a wet washcloth.
Key Ingredients:
- Infused with essential ingredients like Mineral Oil, this Cold Cream effectively removes makeup from the skin's surface, leaving it clean and refreshed.
- The addition of Beeswax, a renowned moisturizer, helps prevent moisture loss, ensuring that your skin stays hydrated.
Texture & Fragrance: While it feels greasy, remind first-time users that the product moisturizes your skin, instead of sitting on top of it in a thick, greasy layer. The texture could take some getting used to, especially if you have oily skin. It smells great–clean and fresh.
Review: Pond's Cold Cream is an ideal fit for drier skin types, because it's packed with 50% moisturizer. The product claims to remove makeup without stripping and drying out your complexion the way harsher cleansers can often do. It's also suitable for sensitive skin types, as long as you don't have a sensitivity to mineral oil, which is prominently featured on the ingredient list.
If you have generally steered clear of oilier products, Pond's might take some getting used to. It feels like a really intensive moisturizing treatment.
It has a light yet distinct smell, but if you'd rather a fragrance-free version, give the Pond's Fragrance-Free Cold Cream Cleanser a try.
Pros | Cons |
Removes dirt and makeup | Mineral oil ingredient may be a sensitivity to some |
Won't dry your skin | |
Hypoallergenic and won't clog pores | |
Clean smell | |
Simple to use |
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| Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream
CVS: $6.29/340g (up to 7% cashback)
Walgreens: $5.99 (up to 4% cashback)
What Is It?
Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream gives you clean, refreshing, soft and smooth skin with the classic Noxzema refreshing tingle. The original deep cleansing cream reaches into pores to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without over drying and leaving your skin soft and smooth. Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream is also dermatologist tested and completely safe for your face. It is carefully made with eucalyptus, soybean, and linseed oils allowing your skin to feel invigorated and fresh.
Key Ingredients:
- Camphor is a natural ingredient with calming and cooling qualities. Camphor in Noxzema soothes sensitive skin, reduces redness, and provides a pleasant sensation when applied.
- Menthol is known for its cooling action, which stimulates the skin and provides a refreshing sensation. It can also provide temporary relief from itching and slight skin irritation.
- Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics, making it useful for combating acne-causing germs and calming irritated skin. It adds to Noxzema's cleaning and skin-calming properties.
- Glycerin is a humectant, which attracts and retains moisture in the skin. It moisturizes and softens the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and supple after using Noxzema.
- Soybean oil contains antioxidants and fatty acids, which nourish and preserve the skin. It helps to keep the skin's natural moisture barrier intact and prevents moisture loss.
- Linseed oil, obtained from flaxseed, is an additional emollient that moisturizes and softens the skin. It improves skin texture and keeps the skin barrier healthy.
- Clove oil has antibacterial qualities that can combat microorganisms on the skin's surface. It also contributes to Noxzema's characteristic fragrance.
Texture & Fragrance: This cleanser is definitely unique, for several different reasons. First, is the texture. It's a thick, creamy texture that goes on smoothly on the skin and melts when it comes in contact with water. Because the formula contains eucalyptus oil and menthol, it gives a very nice and pleasant tingle on the skin that feels very refreshing. The scent is rather strong (mix of eucalyptus and menthol) but it doesn't linger at all.
Review: It keeps your face clear and truly deep cleans the skin without over-drying. Your skin could feel soft, smooth, and refreshed after each use. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable cleanser that leaves your skin healthy-looking and clean.
Great for oily or combo skin, but might be too intense for sensitive types.
Pros | Cons |
Face wash deep cleans without over drying | Might be too intense for sensitive types |
Removes dirt and oil | |
Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth & clean | |
With eucalyptus oil for invigorated skin | |
Dermatologist tested |
| Stridex Maximum Strength Pads
Walmart: $4.47/90 count (up to 7% cashback)
iHerb: $7.14 (up to 5% cashback)
Stylevana: $7.65/55 count (up to 8% cashback)
What Is It?
Stridex Maximum Acne Pads have the highest level of acne-fighting medicine allowed in a non prescription formula (2% salicylic acid). They are recommended for cases of moderate acne to fight pimples and blackheads. Stridex face cleansing pads are alcohol-free for proven results without the burn. These face pads have effective skin cleansers that work to remove dirt, sweat and other impurities from the surface of the skin.
Key Ingredients:
- 2% Salicylic Acid: Salicylic Acid is a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) that deeply penetrates pores to dissolve excess oil, clear buildup, + refine skin texture for a smoother, clearer-looking complexion.
Texture & Fragrance: It helps with reducing breakouts and exfoliating your skin, the pads have textured surfaces so its a plus point, adding some physical exfoliation to the experience. This contains fragrance which may trigger allergic reaction to some and uses DMDM Hydantoin, a controversial preservative that has formaldehyde-releasing properties.
Review: Take a pre-soaked pad from the jar container and glide it all over cleansed skin. Make sure avoid the eye and mouth area, as this product causes dryness.
If your skin is sensitive, you might feel some tingling, which is normal. If you do decide to purchase it, recommend that you leave it on your face for 5-20 minutes and then rinse it off. That way, you might be able to save yourself from some of its irritating effects.
The only negatives about these is the packaging – the tub/jar is so bulky, which means it's not really travel friendly. Secondly, these will dry out the skin with regular use, so you will have to make sure you are using hydrating products to combat that issue.
Pros | Cons |
It's freakin' cheap, and it lasts forever | Has fragrance |
The convenience of use | It may dry out your skin |
Diminished blackheads | |
Keratolytic action helps unclog pores | |
Effective cleansing system removes dirt & oil |
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