What is the difference between CØLM and ZZ-Creme — and which one suits your skin?

Two creams — one goal, two approaches

Both CØLM Redness Relieving Cream and ZZ Cream are night treatments for skin with persistent redness and inflammation. They share the same foundation: zinc oxide and sulfur. These two ingredients have well-documented anti-inflammatory effects and have been used in dermatological treatments for decades.

Both creams are applied as the last step in your evening routine and work while you sleep — exactly when your skin is most receptive to treatment. Both have shown good results against rosacea, perioral dermatitis (an inflammatory condition with a rash around the mouth and nose), acne, and demodex mites. Many also experience improvement in seborrheic dermatitis, a condition driven by inflammation and overactive sebaceous glands — both of which these ingredients effectively help control.

The difference lies in what’s formulated around the active ingredients. And that affects who each product is best suited for.

What’s actually in them?

In cosmetics, ingredients are listed in order of concentration — from highest to lowest. This tells you more than many product descriptions do. And here, the two creams are clearly based on different philosophies.

CØLM Redness Relieving Cream has a minimalist formulation. The ingredient list is short and precise: Aqua, glycerin, sulfur, zinc oxide — followed by a series of well-documented carriers and stabilizers. No unnecessary fragrance components, no complex plant extracts, and no ingredients without a specific purpose. Menthol is included, but appears at the end of the list — and therefore at a very low concentration.

ZZ Cream has a broader formulation. Its ingredient list is considerably longer and includes wheat germ oil, salicylic acid, and a higher concentration of menthol. Each ingredient serves a purpose, but overall, the formula is more intensive.

Menthol — the difference you feel on your skin

Menthol causes the characteristic cooling, slightly stinging sensation that many people know from ZZ-Creme. For most people, it’s a pleasant, soothing experience — and for skin that feels hot and irritated during a rosacea flare-up, it can feel like relief.

But menthol isn’t neutral. A higher concentration may feel too intense for some skin — especially skin with very low tolerance, skin that’s already severely irritated, or skin that’s new to these types of treatments. The more menthol the formula contains, the more pronounced the burning sensation and temporary worsening may be.

This is where CØLM Redness Relieving Cream is different. The cream still provides a cool, soothing sensation when applied — but it’s more subtle because the menthol is present at a lower concentration. The same basic mechanism, but with a gentler sensory profile. This makes it easier to tolerate for those who react strongly to menthol, and for those introducing a new treatment into their routine.

As a result, CØLM Redness Relieving Cream may be better tolerated by a wider range of people. It isn’t “weaker” in its active ingredients — it has a gentler overall sensory experience.

A gentler formula. More cream. A lower price.

CØLM Redness Relieving Cream — 30 ml for 449 DKK. A targeted overnight treatment with a low menthol content, formulated for sensitive, redness-prone skin.

See CØLM Redness Relieving Cream →

Price and quantity — what do you get for your money?

Here are the figures as they are. CØLM Redness Relieving Cream costs 449 DKK and contains 30 ml. ZZ-Creme costs 479 DKK and contains 20 ml.

That means two things. First, CØLM is 30 DKK cheaper. Second, it contains 50% more cream. Per milliliter, CØLM costs about 15 DKK, while ZZ-Creme costs just under 24 DKK per ml. For a product used daily — typically over several months — that’s a difference you’ll really notice over time.

This isn’t an argument that ZZ-Creme isn’t worth its price. It’s simply an objective observation: you get more for less with CØLM.

Rosacea, perioral dermatitis, acne, and seborrheic dermatitis — both creams are excellent

Here’s the key message: whichever of these conditions you’re dealing with, both creams are solid choices. It’s not a question of which one works, but which one suits your skin and preferences.

For rosacea, zinc oxide reduces inflammation and forms a protective barrier, while sulfur regulates the microbial activity that can drive the condition. Both creams provide this. The same applies to perioral dermatitis, where the combination of zinc oxide and sulfur is well documented for addressing the inflammation and rash that characterize the condition.

For acne, sulfur helps regulate sebum production and clear the pores, while zinc oxide reduces redness and inflammation. And for seborrheic dermatitis, both ingredients work against the inflammation and overstimulation of the sebaceous glands that drive the condition - many users experience noticeable improvement.

You can read more about exactly what zinc oxide and sulfur do for rosacea in our more in-depth review of the active ingredients.

When should you seek medical help?

These creams are skincare products - not medicine. If you experience a significant worsening, widespread reactions, pain, or symptoms that spread, you should always contact your doctor. The same applies if your condition does not respond after 4-6 weeks of consistent use, or if you are unsure what condition you have. A dermatologist can provide an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan - and the two do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Try CØLM Redness Relieving Cream

30 ml for DKK 449. A precise night cream with zinc oxide and sulfur — gentle enough for sensitive skin, effective enough to make a difference.

See CØLM Redness Relieving Cream →