When the summer heat weighs heavily on your skin, a cooling skincare product can feel like instant relief.
Do you use cooling products during the hotter months? I personally reach for them daily as soon as the weather warms up. These days, many brands have developed their own dedicated cooling lines, making these products more than just a seasonal trend, they're essential for summer skincare.

But did you know that the ingredients that create that cooling sensation vary widely from product to product?

Some formulas feel light and refreshing, while others might be a bit too intense or irritating.
The difference often comes down to the specific ingredients and their concentrations. That’s why finding a product that suits your skin type can be surprisingly tricky.

Today, we’ll take a closer look at the key cooling ingredients in three popular products, 
Numbuzin No.4 Icy Soothing Sheet Mask, VT Cryo Ice Mask, and Cell Fusion C Post Alpha Cooling Pad.

We'll examine which ingredients are used and how they deliver that much needed chill.

VT

Cell Fusion C

I’ve pulled out only the key ingredients from each list that are responsible for the cooling effect.

Numbuzin : Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract

VT : Menthyl Lactate, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide (MDPP)

Cell Fusion C : Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide (MDPP), Glacier Water

At first glance, these ingredient names might seem unfamiliar or complicated.
Unlike the simple alcohol or menthol based formulas we used to see, many modern cooling agents are more sophisticated.

In fact, traditional ingredients like alcohol, menthol, and mint are becoming less common in newer formulations and here is why.

1. Skin irritation and dryness
Alcohol can strip moisture from the skin, leading to dryness and irritation.
Menthol and mint can trigger stinging, redness, or even allergic reactions in sensitive skin.

2. Risk of long-term skin barrier damage
Regular use of alcohol-heavy products can weaken the skin barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to stressors.

3. Shift toward personalized and gentle care
With more consumers demanding products tailored to their skin type, there is growing interest in gentle and natural alternatives.

4. Stricter regulations and safety standards
Some countries have tightened regulations on alcohol and menthol content, encouraging brands to seek safer and low-irritation replacements.

In short, while alcohol and menthol provide fast results, they can compromise skin health.
This has led to the rise of newer, skin-friendly alternatives like the ones we’re highlighting today.

Here is how the cooling ingredients used in the Numbuzin product work.

Tea Tree Leaf Oil

●Known for its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties

●Helps reduce redness and calm irritated skin

●Provides a subtle cooling feel through its light scent and evaporative effect

●May cause irritation if used in high concentrations, especially on sensitive skin

Aloe Vera Leaf Extract

●Delivers hydration and reduces heat-related skin discomfort

●Soothes and cools skin through its water-rich, lightweight texture

●Reinforces the skin barrier and helps maintain moisture

Here is how the cooling ingredients used in the VT product work.

Menthyl Lactate

●A derivative of menthol and lactic acid

●Offers gentle, lasting cooling with less irritation than menthol

Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide

●A synthetic cooling agent derived from menthol’s structure

●Produces a strong and long-lasting cooling sensation

●Less irritating than menthol, and not related to alcohol

Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide (MDPP)

●Stimulates TRPM8 cold receptors in the skin

●Scientifically proven to reduce surface skin temperature

※TRPM8 stands for Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8. Simply put, it is a cold-sensing receptor found in the skin and mucous membranes. When activated, this receptor sends nerve signals to the brain, creating sensations of coolness, freshness, and a cooling effect.

Cell Fusion C is similar to VT but contains glacier water as an ingredient. How does glacier water produce a cooling effect?

Glacier Water

●Naturally cool water sourced from glaciers

●Lowers skin temperature on contact due to its inherent coldness

●Rich in minerals that help calm the skin and reinforce hydration

●Supports overall soothing and anti-redness effects

MDPP

●Same TRPM8-activating compound found in VT

Alcohol and menthol were once the go-to ingredients for instant cooling.
But today, gentler yet effective alternatives are leading the way.

Ingredients like MDPP, Menthyl Lactate and Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide are shaping the next generation of cooling skincare.

While the ingredient lists give us a general idea, they do not specify the exact concentrations.
So even though these cooling agents are considered gentler derivatives, the real experience can vary depending on your skin.

Personally, I found the VT mask to be a bit too intense for my skin... If I were to rank them by cooling intensity, it would go 

Numbuzin < Cell Fusion C < VT
with Numbuzin offering the mildest cooling effect and VT delivering the most intense chill.

Based on the characteristics of each product, here are some recommendations depending on your skin condition and cooling preferences.

✔ If you have thin skin that flushes easily or tends to react to strong sensations, Numbuzin No.4 Mask Pack
→ This mask focuses on calming and hydrating the skin with minimal irritation. It feels gentle and refreshing without overwhelming the skin.

✔ If your skin has become more sensitive lately but you still want a cooling effect, Cell Fusion C Post Alpha Cooling Pad
→ This offers a nice balance between mild cooling and a soothing finish. It’s suitable for daily use and helps reduce heat quickly without harshness.

✔ If you have thicker or oilier skin, or need immediate relief after outdoor activity or sun exposure, VT Cryo Ice Mask
→ Delivers an intense cooling sensation almost instantly. It can be too strong for sensitive skin, but great for those who overheat easily or prefer a stronger chill.

Numbuzin and Cell Fusion C are available on Olive Young Global and YesStyle, while VT can be found on DodoSkin and Musinsa Global.

We hope you stay fresh and comfortable this summer with a cooling skincare routine that suits you best!