Norwegian pediatric dermatologists are issuing a stark warning against the popular use of specialized cold creams on children during the country's harsh winter months. The advice contradicts widespread parental practice and booming pharmacy sales, creating a significant public health dilemma as temperatures plunge across the Nordic nation.
In kindergartens from Bodø to Oslo, it has become a common morning ritual: parents applying thick layers of cold protection cream to their children's faces before sending them out into sub-zero playgrounds. The logic seems sound—protect delicate skin from biting winds and freezing air. However, leading medical experts now argue this well-intentioned act may be doing more harm than good.
"I absolutely do not recommend people use these creams. They provide a false sense of security," says Dr. Thrasyvoulos, a chief physician at Nordland Hospital. His concern centers on a fundamental misunderstanding of how the creams interact with cold. Rather than forming a protective barrier, he explains, many creams trap moisture and sweat against the skin. In freezing conditions, this retained moisture can actually increase the risk of frostbite by keeping the skin abnormally wet and cold.
The Science Behind the Warning
The core issue, according to dermatologists, is formulation and physics. Many popular cold creams contain high water content. When applied and exposed to extreme cold, this water can freeze rapidly on the skin's surface. "A product that has a lot of water in it can freeze quite quickly. It's not so smart to smear it on your face when it's cold," Dr. Thrasyvoulos states. He suggests that if parents insist on using a cream, they should look for "fatty, thick creams with low water content."
Perhaps more critically, the creams do not alter the skin's core temperature. "The physical effect of the cold will always be there even if you smear on a cream," explains Dr. Schopf, a colleague supporting the warning. "People can easily get the impression that cold cream protects you from the cold. It does not stop frost damage." The primary advertised benefit—preventing skin from drying out—is valid, but experts stress this must be weighed against the potential frostbite risk, especially for active children who sweat during play.
A Clash Between Practice and Advice
This expert guidance directly conflicts with both parental habits and market trends. Pharmacies across Norway report a dramatic surge in cold cream sales this winter. Vitus Apotek has sold double the amount of its most popular cold cream compared to last year. "Lately we have had several customers who have come by the pharmacy with questions about cold cream," says pharmacist Subash Tha Shrestha at Vitusapotek Hunstadsenteret.
In kindergartens, the practice is widely accepted. Sissel Berg, a pedagogical leader at a kindergarten in Bodø where temperatures have reached an effective -18°C, says the choice is left to parents. "It is the parents themselves who decide what to put on their children. But we do not use much cold cream in the kindergarten." This creates a confusing landscape for parents who receive commercial messages promoting the creams, see other parents using them, but now face authoritative medical advice against them.
The Vulnerable Groups at Greater Risk
The warning carries extra urgency for specific populations. Dr. Thrasyvoulos notes that children with atopic eczema and older people with conditions like varicose veins experience more frequent outbreaks if they use cold creams. For these groups, the creams can exacerbate existing skin conditions by disrupting the skin's natural barrier and microclimate. This highlights that a one-size-fits-all approach to winter skin care is ineffective and potentially dangerous.
Norwegian children, encouraged by the "friluftsliv" (open-air life) ethos, spend considerable time outdoors regardless of weather. Five-year-old Sander, playing in a Bodø kindergarten, exemplifies this. His cheeks are red from the cold, but he reports, "I just get warm when I'm outside since I'm wearing wool. And then we play. We have snowball fights." His experience underscores the expert alternative advice: proper clothing is the first and most important line of defense.
Rethinking Winter Skin Protection
So, what should parents do? The consensus from dermatologists shifts the focus from topical products to behavioral and clothing strategies. The primary recommendation is to dress children in multiple layers of wool, which wicks moisture away from the skin while providing insulation. Windproof outer layers are crucial for reducing wind chill. Experts also advise monitoring time spent in extreme cold, ensuring children come inside regularly to warm up, and paying close attention to extremities like fingers, toes, ears, and the nose, which are most susceptible to frostbite.
For facial skin, if dryness is a concern, applying a simple, fatty moisturizer like petroleum jelly at home, well before exposure, can help. The key is to avoid applying any cream immediately before going into the cold. The Norwegian Directorate of Health's general guidelines for cold weather, which emphasize proper clothing and limiting exposure, are being reaffirmed by this dermatological advice.
A Cultural and Commercial Challenge
This situation presents a cultural challenge in Norway, where practicality and science-based living are highly valued. The disconnect between expert opinion and common practice suggests a breakdown in public health communication or the powerful influence of commercial marketing. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies have successfully marketed cold creams as an essential winter item, creating a social norm that now proves difficult to reverse.
The Norwegian Consumer Authority may need to examine marketing claims for these products to ensure they are not misleading about the level of protection offered. Furthermore, kindergartens and schools, as trusted community institutions, could play a pivotal role in disseminating the correct information to parents through official channels.
As another deep freeze settles over Finnmark, Troms, and Nordland, Norwegian parents are left to navigate conflicting information. The image of a child with cream-smeared cheeks playing in the snow may need to be reconsidered. The experts' message is clear: true protection from the cold comes from wool, windbreakers, and wisdom, not from a jar. The question remains whether public habit can catch up to medical evidence before the winter ends.