Protection you can rely on, even when nature challenges you at its most merciless.
Every winter, the same question arises among outdoor enthusiasts and professionals: Do we really need cold protection for our skin – or does it do more harm than good?
The discussion is not new, and a Finnish study from 1999 is often cited, which concluded that soldiers who used cold cream suffered more frostbite than those who did not. One explanation was that they felt safe – and therefore overlooked the danger signals.
But the study says little about what kind of ointment was used – only that it was an “ointment”. And here lies much of the crux. Not all cold ointments are created equal.
What makes a good cold ointment?
First of all: A real cold ointment should not contain water. When the temperature drops, water can freeze on the skin and make things worse. That's why we distinguish between cold creams (with water) and cold ointments (without water) – although not all manufacturers are equally strict about the definitions.
Secondly, the type of fat used is important. Many inexpensive ointments contain mineral oils and paraffin – substances that form a thick layer on the skin. This may be protective in calm weather, but during activity it can cause problems. When your skin can’t breathe, you risk trapping moisture – which can actually increase the risk of frostbite.
That's why we developed Norvis Cold Ointment
Norvis Cold Ointment is made from pure, natural ingredients – without water, without mineral oils. We use, among other things , lanolin (wool fat) , a fatty substance that is similar to the skin's own, and which allows the skin to breathe. Moisture is allowed to escape, while the ointment protects against cold and wind.
But we didn't just want to test it in the office or in the field.
We wanted to know: Does it work when it really matters?
The Himalayan Test
The Norvis cold ointment has been used in the Arctic, Antarctica and the Himalayas – in conditions where the skin is not only exposed to cold, but also altitude, wind and sun. One of the most experienced users is adventurer Liv Arnesen , who has been using the ointment since 1996:
"I use it in the Arctic, Antarctica, the Himalayas, the Norwegian mountains and on cold days in the field. [...] Because all Norvis products are made with natural ingredients, they absorb into the skin instead of being applied on the surface. This is especially important for the Cold Salve. Recommended!"
When an ointment works in the world's coldest, driest and most exposed places - then we know that it also works on a kindergarten delivery in minus 15 or a windy mountain hike.
