Bellas, as you know by now, I love a beauty brand with a heritage. If a brand has been around for longer than 20 years, believe me they’ve figured something out. 50 years, they’re popular for good reason. And if a brand has lasted more than 100 years, that is a true testimony to its quality and timeless reputation. That means something. I started my Beauty Brand History series to celebrate legacy brands that have been producing amazing products for more than 50 years. One of my favorite features so far in the series has been Noxzema – click here to read my 2014 homage to its Beauty Brand History.
That vintage ad from 1969 still gives me LIFE – click here to read more about it from Parlour Magazine!
There’s a reason Noxzema has stood the test of time since 1914. It was created by a pharmacist with the intent of overall skin-soothing efficacy. Today it’s recommended as a facial cleanser, but the Original Deep Cleansing Cream was historically recommended for many reasons, including soothing sunburn, and as an acne spot treatment. Its name came about after customers said it had “knocked out their eczema.”
Apparently Noxzema wasn’t even really marketed as a skin cleanser and cold cream until the 1950’s, reportedly when a company secretary realized how beautiful it made her complexion look. The product quickly became a skincare mainstay and remains a hit. For perspective, the Original Deep Cleansing Cream hit shelves in the year that WWI officially began, and according to the folks at Noxzema, “…in 2014, it was estimated that an average of 25,000 Noxzema units are sold daily – or 17 units sold every minute.” That’s 17 units EVERY MINUTE; as recently as last year. That’s incredible. That’s an undeniable statement of enduring popularity. That’s product goals for any entrepreneur.
Me myself personally, I use it as a face wash. In fact, Noxzema was one of the first skin cleansers I remember being curious about and wanting to try. I started using it in high school, and it remains a staple to this day – it WORKS and it gives me great bang for my buck; it takes me a while to go through a whole tub of Noxzema. A little goes a long way! Plus I love the fragrance and the mentholated cooling effect. Fun fact, Noxzema’s ingredients include a blend of menthol, camphor and eucalyptus oil. I’m especially a fan of eucalyptus oil, it’s known for soothing inflammation, it has anti-microbial properties and it soothes respiratory issues – maybe that’s why I LOVE the smell. So fresh and so clean!
I use the Original Cleansing Cream in the summer because it’s cooling. I prefer the Moisturizing Cleansing Cream in the winter because it is soothing and healing to my skin after wearing layers of makeup and facing the cold, harsh, dry winter winds. It’s a little milder in terms of the menthol/eucalyptus fragrance, and a few of its other ingredients come in clutch with my winter skincare needs. It contains linseed oil (made from the flax plant), another great antioxidant that’s high in omega-3’s, and soybean oil for moisture – that’s one of the factors that makes it a solid choice for washing off all my makeup. The Moisturizing Cleansing Cream also incorporates glycerin, which I adore for skincare – glycerin can help retain your skin’s moisture and improve overall hydration. I love using the Moisturizing Cleansing Cream at night with my face brush or silicone cleansing pad and then using a decadent serum or night cream to seal in the moisture and put my face to bed looking glowing, clean and gorgeous.
I’ve had to learn to switch up my skincare according to the season, but using the same brand of cleanser makes for a seamless transition. And now the blue tub I’ve always loved comes in awesome travel sizes and the jar is made with 45 percent less plastic than before. Sweet.
Click here to visit the official Noxzema site.
This post was sponsored by Noxzema but the opinions and experience are all mine!
Here in the Caribbean many girls and women have used or still use Noxema – when we can get it in our stores. I didn’t realize that Unilever is connected to it! That company makes excellent products.
I will search more vigorously for this product.
Thanks for this.
Thanks for the great post and recommendation. Is this product available in Canada now?
Happy holidays!
Hello Patrice,
once again you reminded how good the old school products are. I started using Noxema when I was in High School. My mother used it and still do to this day. I love the smell and how it makes my face feel cool on a hot summer day. You said that you use a night cream after you wash with Noxema. Do you mind giving me the name of the cream. I don’t know what would work with Noxema. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Informative and well written review, thanks for your time you invest to write this review for us. college notes
i think Noxzema was originally designed for colds like vaporizer rub. that smell is just not my idea of cleansing. it smells of hospital cream. but it’s been a while since i’ve used it, and it had a really robust smell, like drain your sinuses robust. perhaps they have re-formulated and improved this product.
This cream does an excellent job for dry skin in winter. It is an all time classic that gets the job done. Nice review!