Cold Cream: Uses, Formulation, Preparation, Tests

Cold cream is a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion, Also, it is known as Fatty Cream according to European Pharmacopoeia. Outcomes of this article: Uses of Cold Cream, Formulation of Cold Cream, Preparation of Cold Cream, Tests of Cold Cream, History and Ideal properties of cold cream.   Before the 1st century, many druggists would compound the rosewater cream and keep it fresh on ice, to make it cold as a skin cream. Cold cream was originally described as the Latin word “refrigeran” meaning “making cold” because when applied, the water evaporates and creates a cooling sensation ^[1].  You may also read: Difference between Ointment, Cream, Paste, Gel, Lotion, and Jelly. 

What Is Cold Cream

Cold cream is an emulsion in which the proportion of fatty and oily material predominates. However, when applied to the skin a cooling effect is produced due to the slow evaporation of the water contained in the emulsion ^[3]. Cold cream is an example of a Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion.

In cold cream, the major portion is the oil phase. Simply, the cold cream is an oil-based semisolid preparation. Cold cream is also known as Unguentum or Ceratum Refrigerans ^[2]. Generally, it contains mineral oil, beeswax, borax, and water ^[1]. It is a soothing and cleansing cosmetic typically of oily and heavy consistency, used to soothe and cleanse the skin. It can be classified as a form of cleansing cream. Cream vs Ointment 

According to European Pharmacopoeia, cold cream is known as Fatty Cream.

Uses of cold cream

Uses of cold cream depend on the ingredients of a cream which means functional ingredients define the uses of cold cream. The main uses of cold cream are as follows: 

1. Medicated cold cream is mainly used as a topical pharmaceutical dosage form for the treatment of skin.
2. Helps to maintain the skin’s moisture balance and avoid rough skin conditions. It is one of the primary uses of cold cream (non-medicated).
3. As cleansing preparation to remove make-up.
4. To provide an emollient effect.
5. To provide an oily protective layer on the skin.
6. Also, provide a chemical barrier as with sunblock ingredients.
7.  As a carrier for drug substances such as diflucortolone valerate in medicated cream.
8. To remove oil-soluble impurities from the skin.

 Uses of cold cream are less than vanishing cream (oil in water emulsion) as topical pharmaceutical dosage form.

History of Cold Cream Preparation

Cold cream was first invented by Galen, a famous Greek physician-pharmacist in the Roman Empire (who practiced in Rome) of the 1^st Century AD. The Galen formula of cold cream has changed but little in proportions or method of preparation throughout many centuries ^[1].

Formulation and Preparation of Cold Cream

Raw materials and Apparatus

Raw materials as per formula. Cold creams may be formulated with oils, both or either mineral oil and vegetable oil, as well as fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty esters, emulsifying agents, preservatives, and purified water. There should be four main ingredients as follows:

• Oil
• Water
• Emulsifier
• Thickening agent

Apparatus required laboratory-scale production as follows:

• Measuring Cylinder,
• Beaker,
• Stirrer/ Glass rod,
• Thermometer,
• Water bath.

Formulation of Cold Cream (Galen’s Cerate Formula for 1000 g) ^[2]

Preparation of Cold Cream

The general preparation method is, to prepare an oil and aqueous phase separately and then mix, after mixing add fragrance or other ingredients, then homogenize and congeal.

Preparation of oil phase: Melt together Cetyl esters wax, almond oil, and white wax in a beaker with continuous heating at 70°C-80°C.

Preparation of aqueous phase: Dissolve the sodium borate in the purified water and stronger rose water warmth to 70°-80°C. Then slowly add the warm aqueous phase to the oil phase, with continuous stirring until it has cooled to about 45°C. Then add the rose oil, and finally, homogenize for 30 minutes and congeal this cream.

Formulation of Cold Cream (BP Formula) ^[4]

As a pharmaceutical preparation, cold cream was included in the issue of The British Pharmaceutical Codex in 1949, as an ointment of rose water.

Preparation of Cold Cream

Melt the beeswax and almond oil at 75-80°C together. Melt borax dissolved in the rose water at 75-80°C. Mix the two phases with constant stirring. Then add the rose oil, homogenize, and congeal until cold.

Formulation of Cold Cream (USP Formula) ^[5]

Preparation of Cold Cream

Oil phase Preparation: Melt together white wax and cetyl esters wax in a glass or SS beaker, add the almond oil, and continue heating at 70°-80°C.

 Aqueous phase Preparation: Add the sodium borate to the purified water and heat to 70°-80°C until dissolved.

Then slowly add the aqueous phase to the oil phase, stirring continuously until it has cooled to about 45°C. Then homogenize and congeal.

Formulation of Cold Cream (Beeswax-Borax type Traditional Formula)

Preparation of Cold Cream

Heat together the mineral oil and beeswax to a temperature of 75-80°C in a beaker. Dissolve the borax, Methyl parahydroxybenzoate, Propyl parahydroxybenzoate in the water and heat to 75°C in another beaker, and add slowly with continuous stirring to the oil/wax phase. Cool to about 45°C and add the perfume with stirring.

Formulation of Cold Cream (Standard Formula)

Preparation of cold cream

• Oil phase Preparation: White Wax/ White Beeswax and Mineral oil (Liquid paraffin) were melted in a glass or SS beaker at 70°-80°C and mixed.
• Aqueous phase Preparation: Methylparaben, propylparaben, tween-80, borax, and glycerin were dissolved in water in another beaker at the temperature of 70°-80°C.
• Addition of aqueous phase to oil phase: The oil phase was then added to the aqueous phase with continuous stirring until it cooled to about 45°C. Then fragrance was added with continuous stirring.
• Homogenization of the cream by a homogenizer and congealing.
• Filling, labeling, and packaging.

Formulation of Cold Cream (Typical Modern formula) ^[3]

Preparation of Cold Cream

Heat together the mineral oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Petroleum jelly, and beeswax to a temperature of 75-80°C in a glass or SS beaker. Dissolve the borax, Methyl parahydroxybenzoate, Propyl parahydroxybenzoate in the purified water and heat to 75°-80°C, and add slowly with continuous stirring to the oil/wax phase. Cool with stirring to about 35°C and add the perfume.

List of Best Cold Cream

Pond’s Cold Cream, Nivea Cold Cream, Avene Cold Cream, Eve Lom Cleansing Balm, Noxzema Classic Clean Deep Cleansing Cream, Avène, Prai Beauty Platinum Cold Cream Cleanser, Queen Helene Triple Whipped Professional Cleansing Cream, Merle Norman Cleansing Cream, Cocoa Butter Garnier, Mustela cold cream, Johnson & Johnson’s baby cream, Clarins Gentle Day Cream, Diflucortolone Cold Cream.

Why cold cream is called cold cream?

The name “cold cream” derives from the cooling feeling of the cream, when applied the water evaporates and creates a cooling sensation. Besides, in cold cream, the major portion is the oil phase thus cold cream is used especially in cold temperatures or the winter season. On the other hand, vanishing cream is used for summer or hot environments because vanishing cream contains a large portion of the aqueous phase.

Ideal characteristics of cold cream

1. It should not normally be diluted.
2. The pH of the cold cream must be optimum from 4.6–6.0
3. Its consistency should be optimum so that it can be easily put out from the container and applied easily.
4. Should give a cooling effect on the skin after external application.
5. It must provide a thin waxy protective layer on the skin to protect the water evaporation from the skin surface.
6. Should give a faster emollient effect, so that very dry skin can swell up and become soft within a short time.
7. Less greasy than ointment.
8. Generally, creams are white to off-white color but may have different colors such as yellow (Nystatin Cream USP).
9. Easily spread on the skin.
10. Free from gritty particles.
11. It should be nontoxic and nonirritant.
12. Attractive in appearance.
13. It should be physically and chemically stable throughout its shelf life.
14. The excipients should be compatible with each other.
15. It should be more easily washed off using water.
16. Should be sterile. If any microbial growth is found then stop the use of cold cream.

Sterility, Storage, and Labeling information

It should be sterile, it complies with the test for sterility.

Storage

It should not be permitted to freeze.

Labeling information

The label information should contain:

• Manufacture and expiration date
• Conditions under which it should be stored,
• Where applicable,
• Name of any added antimicrobial preservative.

To clear your concept you should know first about Definition and Classification of Cream. Ancient uses of cold cream were to get a cooling sensation. If you know of any other uses of Cold Cream, feel free and drop comments in the comments box. You may also read: Quality control tests of tablets

Cold Cream Test/Evaluation of Cold Cream

The following several tests may perform to evaluate the quality of a cold cream:

1. Appearance/ Description
2. Viscosity test
3. Uniformity of Dosage Unit (if required)
4. Impurities
5. Microbiological Examination
6. Water content determination
7. Assay (if required))

Keywords: Uses of Cold Cream, Cold Cream uses, Formulation of Cold Cream, Preparation of Cold Cream, Tests of Cold Cream, History and Ideal properties of Cold Cream.

References

1. Susan C. Wivell, Clear cold cream cosmetic compositions, United States Patent. 1996. https://patents.google.com/patent/US5525344A/en
2. Remington, Joseph P, and Paul Beringer. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. 21st edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.
3. Poucher, W A, and George M. Howard. Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Soaps. London: Chapman and Hall, 1974.
4. British Pharmacopoeia Commission. British Pharmacopoeia 2021. London: TSO.
5. The United States pharmacopeia The National formulary. Rockville, Md.: United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USP 21 – NF 16).
6. Lachman, Lieberman, H.A. and Kanig, J.L., The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy, Lea and Febiger, New York, 15th edition; 2013.