Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream
Nostalgic Drugstore Classic
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Exceptionally affordable at under $5 for a generous 12 oz jar
- +Effective cold-cream-style makeup and sunscreen removal without surfactants
- +Sulfate-free formula avoids the stripping associated with foaming cleansers
- +Linseed and soybean oils leave skin feeling conditioned rather than tight
- +Iconic cooling eucalyptus sensation that many users find satisfying and refreshing
- +Available at virtually every drugstore, grocery store, and mass retailer in the US
- +Jar packaging now uses 45% less plastic than previous versions
- −Contains DMDM Hydantoin, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative linked to contact dermatitis
- −Multiple known sensitizers including fragrance and eucalyptus oil make it unsuitable for reactive skin
- −Soybean and linseed oils carry moderate comedogenic risk for congestion-prone skin
- −Dense cream texture doesn't self-emulsify, requiring thorough rinsing or double cleansing
- −No active treatment ingredients despite 'deep cleansing' marketing positioning
- −Formula has been quietly changed multiple times, frustrating loyal users expecting the original
The full review.
Few skincare products have a brand name born from a customer saying it ‘knocked out my eczema’. That happened in a Baltimore pharmacy around 1914, when Dr. George Bunting’s sunburn remedy earned the nickname that became Noxzema. Over a century later, the blue jar with the eucalyptus kick stays on American drugstore shelves, recommended by grandmothers and discovered by teenagers.
The Original Deep Cleansing Cream is a cold cream. It uses stearic acid as a base—a fatty acid that creates a thick, scoopable texture—with linseed and soybean oils to dissolve surface impurities and makeup while leaving a thin emollient film. This is old-school cleansing technology from before foaming surfactants and micellar waters became standard. You massage it on, it breaks down surface debris, and you tissue it off or rinse it away.
The experience is unmistakable. The eucalyptus tingle hits seconds after application—a bracing, medicinal coolness that Noxzema loyalists call the feeling of clean. It is less intense than before; a 2020 reformulation removed camphor, phenol, and menthol, softening the sensation and removing some irritating components. eucalyptus globulus leaf oil now handles the tingle, providing enough of the classic Noxzema sensation to satisfy nostalgia.
Modern ingredient analysis shows a complication. The current formula contains DMDM Hydantoin, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative that has faced scrutiny recently. While the FDA approves it and regulatory standards deem the concentrations safe, formaldehyde releasers cause contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals. Combined with fragrance and eucalyptus oil—both skin sensitizers—this product has a meaningful irritation risk profile.
The cleansing efficacy is respectable for its purpose. The oil-based formula dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and sebum effectively. Users with oily and normal skin report a clean feeling without the tight, stripped sensation caused by harsher cleansers. The soybean and linseed oils deposit enough moisture to leave skin conditioned rather than parched.
However, those same oils—specifically soybean oil with its moderate comedogenic rating—make this a questionable choice for acne-prone skin. The product lacks active acne-fighting ingredients despite its ‘deep cleansing’ label. Sodium bicarbonate provides mild physical exfoliation but is not a targeted treatment. If you have breakouts, this cleanser won’t treat them and may cause congestion if you do not rinse thoroughly.
Texture
This is a thick, heavy cream that is hard to spread and even harder to remove. It does not emulsify like modern cleansing balms; it lacks a milky transformation when water hits it. You must tissue it off and follow with a second cleanse, or rinse repeatedly to remove all residue. Compared to modern self-emulsifying formulas, this requires significant work for a simple cleanse.
Best for
- Oily and normal skin
Not ideal for
- Dry or sensitive skin
- Acne-prone skin
Common Complaints
- Potential irritation from fragrance, eucalyptus oil, and formaldehyde-releasing preservative.
- Can cause congestion for acne-prone skin.
- Thick texture requires extra effort to remove.
Works for
- Removing makeup, sunscreen, and sebum.
- Providing a clean feeling for oily and normal skin.
Conflicts With
- Sensitive skin
- Acne-prone skin
Who Should Buy
- People with oily or normal skin who want the classic Noxzema experience.
- People not sensitive to fragrance, eucalyptus oil, or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
- People who value the product’s low price point.
How to Use
Massage onto dry skin, then tissue off or rinse thoroughly.
Scent
Eucalyptus
AM routine
Not specified.
PM routine
Not specified.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water, Stearic Acid, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Fragrance, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Gelatin, Ammonium Hydroxide, DMDM Hydantoin, Calcium Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Bicarbonate, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Bicarbonate, Potassium Chloride
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
The Noxzema Original formula uses a stearic acid base and plant oils to cleanse, following centuries-old cold cream chemistry. Stearic acid, a C18 saturated fatty acid, acts as an emulsifier and a mild surfactant when saponified with the formula's ammonium hydroxide. This creates an in-situ soap that lifts oil-soluble impurities from the skin surface.
Linseed (flaxseed) oil contains 35-65% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid. A 2012 study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences showed ALA has anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically. Because this is a rinse-off product, contact time limits any therapeutic benefit beyond immediate emolliency.
The eucalyptus globulus leaf oil provides the signature sensory experience via 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), its main constituent. Eucalyptol has antimicrobial properties in vitro, but its role here is primarily sensorial. A 2015 review in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine documented eucalyptus oil's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, but also noted its potential for skin sensitization—a trade-off modern formulation science often avoids using less irritating alternatives.
DMDM Hydantoin is the most scrutinized ingredient; it preserves the formula by slowly releasing formaldehyde. A 2019 analysis in Contact Dermatitis confirmed formaldehyde and its releasers cause one of the most common preservative-related contact allergies, affecting an estimated 1-3% of the general population. While regulatory bodies consider these cosmetic concentrations safe, non-formaldehyde-releasing alternatives exist, questioning this choice for a product marketed for daily facial use.
References
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils — International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2012)
- Biological activities of essential oils: from plant chemoecology to traditional healing systems — BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2015)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists generally view Noxzema's Original Deep Cleansing Cream as a legacy product. It works adequately for a narrow subset of patients but fails modern cleansing standards. Board-certified dermatologists note that fragrance, eucalyptus oil, and DMDM Hydantoin create an unnecessary sensitization risk for a basic cleanser. Dermatologists see no reason to insist on switching for oily-skinned patients who enjoy the product and show no irritation. However, dermatologists routinely flag this product for discontinuation in patients with skin sensitivity, barrier compromise, eczema, or rosacea. Because it lacks active treatment ingredients, dermatologists do not recommend it as a therapeutic cleanser for any skin condition.
Where it fits in your routine.
Use clean fingers to scoop a generous amount from the jar. Massage it onto dry or slightly damp skin in circular motions, targeting the T-zone and areas with heavy makeup or sunscreen. Let the cream sit for 15-30 seconds so the oils dissolve impurities. Rinse with lukewarm water, or tissue it off and use a gentle second cleanse to remove all residue. Use in the morning and/or evening. Always follow with moisturizer, and apply sunscreen during the day.
At approximately $4.99 for 12 oz, Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream is one of the market's most affordable facial cleansers per ounce. A 2 oz travel size also exists. For users whose skin tolerates the formula well, the value is exceptional — months of daily cleansing cost less than a coffee. Noxzema is a legacy drugstore brand with over a century of consumer familiarity; the price reflects the simple formulation rather than premium ingredient technology. Gentler fragrance-free alternatives from brands with more modern formulation approaches exist at this price point, so the value depends on whether you want the Noxzema experience.
Users with oily or normal skin who want a cold-cream-style cleansing experience and have no sensitivity to fragrance or eucalyptus. This works for longtime Noxzema fans whose skin tolerates the formula, and for anyone seeking an ultra-budget cleanser that removes daily grime and makeup.
Avoid this product if you have sensitive, dry, or reactive skin because it contains fragrance, eucalyptus oil, and DMDM Hydantoin. People with eczema, rosacea, or a compromised skin barrier will experience irritation. Acne-prone skin types should also be cautious because the formula contains comedogenic oils.
Product details.
Strong eucalyptus-menthol medicinal scent — the signature Noxzema smell that has polarized users for over a century. It is clean, camphor-adjacent, and immediately recognizable.
Wide-mouth blue plastic jar with screw-top lid. The jar now uses 45% less plastic than previous versions. Also available in a 2 oz travel jar.
The first application delivers the signature Noxzema tingle — a cooling, bracing sensation from the eucalyptus oil. The cream feels thick during application but rinses or tissues off cleanly. Users with drier skin may notice slight tightness after rinsing.
3-4 months with daily evening use on face
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
Dr. George Bunting, a Baltimore pharmacist, created the original Noxzema formula around 1914 as a sunburn remedy. A customer reportedly exclaimed it 'knocked out her eczema,' leading Bunting to name it 'No-eczema,' eventually shortened to Noxzema. The brand has survived ownership changes from Noxell Corporation to Procter & Gamble to Alberto-Culver to its current home at Unilever.
About Noxzema
Legacy Brand (20+ years)Dr. George Bunting, a Baltimore pharmacist, created Noxzema in 1914 to treat eczema and sunburn. After Procter & Gamble and Alberto-Culver, the brand moved to Unilever. Noxzema is one of the longest-continuously-sold skincare products in the United States.
Common myths.
Noxzema's tingle shows it works deeper than other cleansers.
Eucalyptus oil stimulates nerve endings in the skin to cause the tingling sensation. This is a sensory effect, not an indicator of deeper cleansing efficacy. The cooling feeling does not correlate with how well the product removes impurities.
Noxzema treats acne well by deep cleaning pores.
The product removes surface oil effectively, but lacks proven acne-fighting actives like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. The linseed and soybean oils in the formula can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin. Its sodium bicarbonate provides mild exfoliation but is not targeted acne therapy.
FAQ.
Is Noxzema Classic Clean safe for sensitive skin?
This formula is not ideal for sensitive skin. It contains fragrance, eucalyptus oil, and DMDM Hydantoin. These ingredients are known sensitizers that cause irritation, redness, or contact dermatitis in reactive skin. If you have sensitive or compromised skin, use a fragrance-free, minimal-ingredient cleanser instead.
Does Noxzema Classic Clean Original contain formaldehyde?
The current formulation contains DMDM Hydantoin, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative. The FDA regulates this concentration and considers it safe, but the ingredient is controversial and concerns people with formaldehyde sensitivity or contact allergies.
Has the Noxzema Original formula changed?
Yes, the formula has changed several times during its 100+ year history. The most notable recent change (around 2020) removed camphor, phenol, and menthol from the ingredient list. Longtime users may notice a less intense tingle than older versions, but eucalyptus oil still provides the signature cooling sensation.
Can I use Noxzema as a makeup remover?
This cold-cream-style formula uses linseed and soybean oils to dissolve and lift makeup, including foundation and eye makeup. Massage it into dry skin, then tissue off or rinse with lukewarm water. Waterproof mascara may require a dedicated eye makeup remover first.
Is Noxzema Classic Clean comedogenic?
The formula contains soybean oil and linseed oil, which have moderate to high comedogenic ratings. Because this is a wash-off product, the risk of clogging pores is lower than leave-on products. However, people with acne-prone or congestion-prone skin should watch for breakouts, especially when using the tissue-off method instead of a full rinse.
Why does Noxzema tingle on my face?
eucalyptus globulus leaf oil causes the tingling sensation by stimulating cold-sensitive nerve receptors in the skin. Older formulations used camphor and menthol to amplify this effect. This tingle is a sensory response; it does not mean the product cleans more deeply than non-tingling alternatives.
Is Noxzema cruelty-free or vegan?
Noxzema is not certified cruelty-free. The formula contains gelatin, an animal-derived ingredient, so it is not vegan. Unilever owns the brand; Unilever aims to end global animal testing but lacks full cruelty-free certification for all brands.
What the community says.
"Iconic cooling tingle feels refreshing and invigorating"
"Extremely affordable for the generous 12 oz size"
"Effectively removes makeup, dirt, and excess oil"
"Leaves skin feeling smooth and soft after use"
"Nostalgic product that spans multiple generations of users"
"Sulfate-free formula doesn't foam or strip like gel cleansers"
"Contains multiple known skin sensitizers including fragrance and eucalyptus oil"
"Too drying for those with dry or dehydrated skin"
"DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser) is a controversial preservative choice"
"Formula has been changed multiple times over the decades, frustrating longtime users"
"Can clog pores for some users due to the heavy oil content"
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