Even the prettiest hairdo won’t make up for a bad complexion. ~ Noxzema Ad, 1965
When I was a child, I often looked like this after a day spent outdoors:
I don’t tan. I burn. My unprotected skin starts to turn red within about 15 minutes or so. Noxzema, which was first developed by Dr. Francis J. Townsend and referred to as “no-eczema,” provided relief for many sunburns.
Fast forward *cough* years. I finally learned my lesson as an adult and started staying out of the sun without protecting my skin first. I didn’t have a need for Noxzema. Or did I?
I had been using cold cream for about a year and I loved how it made my skin so soft. But suddenly, my skin began to break out. As fate would have it, Ricki, from Beauty is a Thing of the Past, mentioned that she had rediscovered Noxzema a while ago.
The ad promised that I would look lovelier in 10 days. They were wrong. It didn’t take that long for my skin to clear up and I love, love, love the feel of it on my skin.
My nightly regimen now consists of using the cold cream to remove my eye make-up (wipe it off with a tissue) and using the Noxzema to clean my face and neck. It seems to be working for me!
Just for fun, here is an article from The Daily Mail that you might enjoy reading (and the comments, too!): Beauty Confidential: Granny’s Beauty Bargains.
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I could not agree more! I’ve gone through brand after brand of cleansers and moisturizers, but have been solidly committed to my Pond’s classic cold cream at the end of the day. Removes my makeup, sweat, and leaves my face feeling clean by not dry (which can be a bit of an issue, as I live in a desert!).
I love this post and also read the post at the link — what fun! I have never been a make-up person or a primp-er, so at the end of the day I’m at a loss as to how to care for my skin. I’m not interested in all that age-defying stuff. I just think that’s a lot of hype playing to our vanity. Nor do I like a lengthy regimen. But I do agree that we should wash the face.
I also grew up with Noxzema. Maybe I should have stuck with it. I thought I was supposed to outgrow it. My husband still keeps Noxzema for occasional sunburn. The last we bought was a Noxzema “knock-off” at some dollar store. Smells like Noxzema, though.
Oh I love this article….and I love the link to the English article too….I guess the website she is referring to is “Victoriahealth” I will have to check it out. I know “Vermont Country Store” has some great retro beauty products too.
I always used Noxema as a teenager – maybe I need to rediscover it? My son has horrible excema, it is worth a shot! I also never knew it was good for sunburn – good to know. I also have very fair skin – and although I love the warm weather I feel like I can’t really enjoy it when I am burning and freckling all the time.
I can really identify with the author of the English article too – I get excited when I see a vanity, and that Avon ad is so great – all those puffs and mysterious jars do make me very HAPPY. I do not have a fancy regimine, and I am not fussy – I probably need to spend more time on my appearance, but I love drug stores and beauty products and romanic women who have mysterious products….I have always wanted a vanity, but there is not a good place for one in my bedroom or bathroom, and untimately, I do not like to be fussy and have a lot of stuff around.
My grandmother used Oil of Olay, and the perfume she used was Princess Borgese – I don’t know what she used before that came out – and now it is out of production, and my sister has her perfume bottle, which is very annoying. Every now and again I see an empty bottle of it on ebay for about $100. And, she just took it. I would love to have it and smell it now and again and remember her. Maybe I will ask her if we can share it.
Love this 50′s stuff. Saw your name on 50′s Times. I’m a boomer, too.
Welcome, Mary! I think you’ll feel right at home with us boomers that hang out here (as we try to pass our wisdom on to the next generations).
Julie-Ann,
I have been enjoying your podcasts – I am like to start at the beginning, so am still catching up to “today”. But I just found this blog – I really love it.
I do not wear make-up, but know that Noxema is a wonderful skin cleaner never-the-less.
Thank you for the great nostalgia stuff!
(I’m a boomer, too, born 1948)
docM
We try to pass our wisdom onto the next generation — but mostly I think we’re just having a whee of a time exchanging amongst ourselves. Whatever — it’s a lot of fun!
Welcome Dr. Molly! We’re glad you found us!
(Kathy, perhaps I should have said as we pretend to pass on our wisdom!)
I read this post and went right out to buy a jar of Noxzema. If Noxzema sales spike, you’re responsible.
I love that stuff, and I can already see a difference in my complexion. Next up: Oil of Olay, another drugstore favorite from the past. Hey, there’s a reason that these products have lasted this long. 
Now if only I could find Love’s Lemon that actually smells like it used to (every once in a while they re-release it, but it doesn’t smell the same).
Just found your site. Really enjoying it!