Cold Cream Story: Der Anfang der Kosmetik
Cold Cream is much more than a rich skincare formulation. Behind it lies one of the oldest and most fascinating principles of cosmetic formulation. Over many centuries, the recipe has been developed, reinterpreted and adapted to the needs of its time – yet its fundamental idea has remained remarkably consistent. The history of Cold Cream therefore takes us not only back to the origins of modern skincare, but also shows how surprisingly relevant a centuries-old skincare concept can still be today.
Was ist eine Cold Cream?
The history of Cold Cream dates back to antiquity. Its development is traditionally attributed to the Greek physician Galen of Pergamon, who worked with preparations made from water, plant oils and waxes in the 2nd century AD. What made these preparations special was the combination of an aqueous and an oily phase into a creamy formulation – a basic principle that continues to shape the production of many cosmetic emulsions today. Galen devoted considerable attention to the preparation and composition of medicinal and skincare formulations. His influence was so significant that it gave rise to the term galenics: the science of transforming active ingredients and excipients into usable preparations such as creams, ointments or lotions. Cold Cream therefore represents one of the early starting points of a development that continues to shape modern skincare.
A COOLING EFFECT WITH HISTORY
The name Cold Cream derives from the characteristic sensation of the traditional formulation on the skin. When applied, some of the water evaporates and draws heat from the skin, creating a pleasantly cooling sensation. This combination of a rich lipid phase and cooling effect made Cold Cream a distinctive form of skincare for centuries. At the same time, the lipid phase forms a protective layer on the skin and helps reduce moisture loss. Particularly for dry, stressed skin or skin exposed to external influences, this simple principle helps explain why Cold Cream has endured as a skincare concept for so long.
FROM THE PHARMACY TO A COSMETIC CLASSIC
Über Jahrhunderte entwickelte sich die Cold Cream von einer medizinisch geprägten Zubereitung zu einem festen Bestandteil der Haut- und Schönheitspflege. Die einfache Verbindung aus Wasser, Ölen und Wachsen wurde immer wieder verändert und um neue Bestandteile ergänzt, das Grundprinzip blieb jedoch erhalten: eine reichhaltige Formulierung, die die Haut schützt, pflegt und ihren Feuchtigkeitsverlust reduziert. Besonders im 19. Jahrhundert gehörte Cold Cream zu den etablierten Schönheitsmitteln Europas. Auch Kaiserin Elisabeth von Österreich, besser bekannt als Sisi, wird mit aufwendigen Cold-Cream-Rezepturen und ihrer intensiven Schönheitspflege in Verbindung gebracht. Aus einer ursprünglich funktionalen Zubereitung war längst ein Kosmetikklassiker geworden – und ein Pflegeprinzip, das bis heute weiterentwickelt wird.
A CLASSIC, REINTERPRETED FOR MODERN SKINCARE
The fundamental principle of Cold Cream remains relevant today: a rich formulation combines protective lipids with intensive care and helps the skin retain moisture. Modern formulations, however, allow this traditional concept to be developed much further. High-quality plant oils, plant-based waxes and selected active ingredients make it possible to create a contemporary Cold Cream that provides intensive care for particularly dry, stressed and protection-needing skin while supporting its natural barrier. This is exactly the approach taken by STUDIO BOTANIC: rather than simply reproducing the traditional Cold Cream, we reinterpret its proven principle through modern natural skincare.
THE STUDIO BOTANIC COLD CREAM
Our modern interpretation of this cosmetic classic combines the traditional Cold Cream principle with high-quality natural skincare. Olive oil, vegan waxes, shea butter and avocado oil create a rich skincare base for dry and stressed skin, while rose petal extract and glycerin complement the formulation with additional care and moisture. A touch of peppermint oil provides the characteristic lightly cooling sensation – a subtle reference to the origins of Cold Cream and the sensation that gave this centuries-old skincare classic its name. In this way, STUDIO BOTANIC preserves the original idea behind Cold Cream while reinterpreting it through a modern, plant-based formulation.
