Let’s talk about Ponds Moisturizer review. If you’ve ever stared at your flaky, tight skin and thought, “I just need something that works without costing half my paycheck,” you’ve probably ended up with a tub of POND’S® Dry Skin Cream in your hands at some point. It’s been around forever, your mom probably used it, and it’s one of those products that never really left the drugstore shelves. Why would it if people keep buying it? But here’s the thing: just because it’s cheap and popular doesn’t automatically make it good. So let’s get into it. What’s actually in it? Is it just mineral oil and nostalgia? Or did it stand the test of time because it genuinely works for dry skin in 2025?
Key Ingredients In POND’S® Dry Skin Cream: What Makes It Work?
MINERAL OIL
You’ve probably heard someone say mineral oil is “bad for you” because it’s derived from petroleum. Yeah, and so is petrolatum, and guess what? Both are highly purified, completely safe, and literally used in products for newborns. Here’s the deal: mineral oil doesn’t interfere with your skin’s natural function. It just hangs out on the surface and keeps stuff (aka water) from escaping. The real kicker? It doesn’t go rancid. Unlike a lot of natural oils (looking at you, coconut and rosehip), mineral oil doesn’t oxidize or break down and mess with your skin barrier. So if you want something stable, effective, and zero-fuss, it’s this. Not cute, but rock solid.
PETROLATUM
Petrolatum isn’t just a heavy-duty moisturizer. It’s such an effective moisturizer that hospitals use it post-surgery. That’s how good it is at keeping wounds moist and protected so they can heal. What makes it wild is its transepidermal water loss rate (science-y way of saying it keeps hydration from evaporating). It’s one of the very few ingredients that actually creates a semi-occlusive film, meaning your skin can still “breathe” while being protected. Plus, it doesn’t penetrate the skin, so it doesn’t mess with your microbiome or your natural oils. It just sits there like a lid on a pot, keeping everything calm underneath.
GLYCERIN
Glycerin is kind of like the intern who runs the whole company but never gets credit. It’s in nearly every decent moisturizer because it just works. But here’s what most people don’t realize: glycerin helps maintain skin elasticity and supports the lipid matrix (those fats between your skin cells that keep your face from turning into sandpaper). It also makes other ingredients work better. It draws water into the upper layers of your skin and helps it hold onto that moisture longer. Bonus? It’s been shown to improve skin roughness within days of use. Fast, reliable, underrated.
ISOPROPYL PALMITATE
This one’s tricky. If POND’S were a heist movie, isopropyl palmitate would be the smooth-talking guy who gets you past the lasers but might double-cross you later. It makes everything feel silky and luxe, no drag or stickiness. But it also has a high comedogenic rating, meaning it could trap stuff in your pores. That said, context matters. In a well-formulated cream like this, where it’s not overloaded and balanced out by other ingredients, it’s usually fine – unless your skin hates it. If you tend to break out from rich creams, it’s worth paying attention to.
Related: Which Ingredients Are Comedogenic?
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
- Stearic Acid: This one sounds intense, but it’s basically a fatty acid that acts like a thickener and softener. It gives the cream that rich, creamy body instead of turning it into a runny mess. It also helps keep your skin smooth by mimicking the lipids already in your skin.
- Glyceryl Stearate: Think of this as the glue that holds the formula together. It’s an emulsifier, which means it stops the oil and water from separating. It also doubles as a skin softener, giving the cream that plush feel without being greasy. It’s like the background vocalist that makes the lead singer sound better.
- Cetyl Alcohol: Don’t let the word “alcohol” scare you. This one’s a fatty alcohol, and it’s here to moisturize, not dry you out. It gives the cream structure, makes it feel smooth when you apply it, and helps prevent separation. Think cushion, not sting.
- Ceresin: A wax that keeps the whole thing stable and scoopable. It thickens the formula and gives it that solid, balm-like consistency. Not hydrating by itself, but it helps the texture feel rich and comforting, especially for dry skin.
- Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax: This plant-based wax adds another layer of richness. It’s often used instead of beeswax in vegan formulas. It gives the cream its semi-matte finish-not totally shiny, but not dry-looking either. Also helps lock things in without being sticky.
- Sorbitan Oleate: Another emulsifier, and honestly a quiet MVP. It helps oils and water stay mixed, but it also plays nice with your skin. It’s derived from sugar and fatty acids, and sometimes even helps condition the skin a bit. Think smooth texture, zero chaos.
- Phenoxyethanol: This is your primary preservative, and yes, it’s necessary. This cream comes in a tub, so without something like this, you’d basically be dipping your fingers into a bacteria smoothie. It’s safe at low levels and keeps things fresh and shelf-stable. The fear-mongering around this one is way overblown.
- Triethanolamine: Used to balance the pH and keep the formula from being too acidic. If the pH is off, your skin’s barrier gets cranky. This keeps everything in the Goldilocks zone: not too harsh, not too alkaline. It also helps activate the thickening agents, so the formula stays whipped and creamy.
- Laureth-23: This is a surfactant and texture enhancer. It helps create that smooth glide when you rub the cream in, and it keeps things from feeling heavy or waxy. It’s also mild. There for feel and spreadability more than anything.
- Fragrance: The most divisive part of the formula. It gives POND’S its signature “clean grandma” smell-powdery, floral, strong. Some love it, some hate it. It’s synthetic, not essential oil-based, so it’s consistent but not great for sensitive skin. If fragrance is a trigger for you, this may be a dealbreaker.
- Carbomer: This is what keeps the cream feeling like a cream. It’s a gelling agent that thickens and stabilizes everything so you don’t end up with a watery mess halfway through the jar. Doesn’t do anything for your skin, but makes sure you enjoy using the product.
- Disodium EDTA: This guy binds to metal ions in the water or packaging to keep the formula stable over time. Basically, it stops weird chemical reactions from happening in the tub. It’s not exciting, but it keeps the cream from spoiling, changing color, or degrading.
- Methylparaben: Yes, it’s a paraben. No, it’s not going to ruin your hormones. This is one of the most well-studied preservatives in skincare, and it’s included to prevent fungal and bacterial growth. Especially important for a product that’s exposed to air and fingers every time you open it.
- Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate: Another preservative, but this one targets yeast and mold. It’s here for backup, because mold in a moisturizer is a hard no. Used in tiny amounts, and plays well with the rest of the preservative system.
Texture
Thick. Rich. Almost old-school cold cream style. When you scoop it out, it doesn’t run or melt on your fingers. It’s got a dense, whipped texture that spreads surprisingly well for how heavy it looks. Once it’s on the skin, it feels cushiony. Definitely not a lightweight moisturizer. It takes a minute or two to fully sink in. You might feel a bit of residue, especially if you layer it thick (which, let’s be real, most people do when they’re trying to quench desert-level dryness). But it’s not sticky, just more of a “you know you applied something” kind of feeling.
Fragrance
Okay, let’s just say it: this cream smells like your grandma’s bathroom. That classic “clean but slightly powdery and kind of floral” scent that’s hard to describe but instantly recognizable? Yep, it’s in here. And not in a subtle way. It hits you the second you open the tub, and it hangs around. We’re not talking “fades in five minutes” kind of scent. It stays. If you like that old-school skincare vibe, you’ll probably find it comforting. If you’re more of a fragrance-free or “my products shouldn’t announce themselves” kind of person… this one’s gonna bug you. It’s not offensive, but it’s definitely not modern or fresh either. Just very POND’S. Take it or leave it.
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How To Use It
This isn’t a lightweight gel you slap on in the summer. This is a seal-in-all-the-moisture-before-your-face-cracks kind of product.
Use it:
- After your serum or treatment, especially if you’re using drying actives like retinol or acids.
- As a nighttime barrier, especially in the winter or if your skin’s feeling extra parched.
- On damp skin (preferably), to trap in that water and let the glycerin work better.
- Sparingly during the day, unless you’re very dry. Otherwise, it can feel too heavy under makeup.
It’s not a multi-tasker. You’re not getting exfoliation, anti-aging benefits, or dark spot lightening here. It’s just meant to moisturize and it does that really well.
Packaging
It comes in a big plastic tub with a screw cap. Nothing fancy. No pump, no hygiene-friendly spatula (unless you bring your own). You just dip your fingers in and go for it. This isn’t ideal from a bacteria standpoint, but the preservatives do their job. Still, if you’re squeamish about dipping fingers in cream every night, that could be a con. On the bright side, the tub is sturdy, portable, and lasts forever. You get a ton of product for the price.
Performance & Personal Opinion
This is a comfort cream. When my skin is flaky, irritated, or just dry to the point of cracking, this stuff genuinely helps. It softens rough dry patches, seals in moisture, and creates that “protective layer” feeling without suffocating my skin. It’s not for everyone. If you have oily skin, acne-prone skin, or just want something lightweight, this is overkill. But if your skin feels tight after cleansing and you’ve tried every gel cream out there with zero results? This is worth a shot. It does break me out when I use it on my face (thanks isopropyl palmitate!), but if your skin is drier and less prone to pimples than me, you may experience the same. I know people who can use it without getting pimples. In the end, you know your skin best and what it can take.
What I Like About POND’S Dry Skin Cream
- It actually works. No fluff, no fancy promises. Just hydration and barrier protection.
- Super affordable and lasts ages.
- Very moisturising, you get super soft skin.
- Great for slugging or layering over actives.
- Thick and cushiony without being greasy or overly shiny.
- A thin layer goes a long way.
What I DON’T Like About POND’S Dry Skin Cream
- The fragrance. Too strong for me personally, and definitely not for sensitive skin types.
- Tub packaging just feels a bit 1990s.
- No added skin goodies like ceramides, niacinamide, or antioxidants.
- Can clog pores if your skin’s not into heavy occlusives.
- Doesn’t layer well under makeup if you apply too much.
Who Should Use This?
✅ Dry, dehydrated, or mature skin types that need serious moisture
✅ People who want a budget-friendly occlusive for slugging
✅ Those looking for a simple barrier cream to fight dryness in winter time (or any other time)
❌ Not suitable for oily skin, combination skin, or very sensitive skin
❌ Skip it if fragrance irritates you
❌Avoid if you’re acne-prone
Does POND’S Dry Skin Cream Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Has a rich and creamy formula that is easily absorbed by the skin to hydrate deeply while significantly reducing dryness | Mostly true, it takes a little while to absorb. |
| For smooth, soft, radiant skin, put your trust in this classic. | It does give you soft and smooth skin. |
Price & Availability
$5.99 at Target and Walgreens
Ponds Moisturizer Review: The Verdict
If your skin’s dry enough to crack, flake, or scream when you smile, this cream will absolutely come through for you. It’s not fancy. It’s not full of trend ingredients. But it does exactly what it says it will: keeps your skin soft, cushioned, and actually comfortable.
Is it going to transform your routine? No.
Is it going to give you glass skin? Definitely not.
But if you just need something rich and reliable that makes your face feel like skin again? This’ll do the job.
That said: if you hate strong scents, are breakout-prone, or just don’t vibe with thicker textures, you’ll probably want to skip it.
But for the price? The amount you get? The way it straight-up works on dry skin? Hard to beat. It’s the kind of thing you might roll your eyes at, until you use it during a dry skin meltdown and suddenly you get why it’s been around forever.
Water, mineral oil, isopropyl palmitate, petrolatum, glycerin, stearic acid, ceresin, glyceryl stearate, cetyl alcohol, sorbitan oleate, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, phenoxyethanol, triethanolamine, laureth-23, fragrance, carbomer, disodium edta, methylparaben, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
