Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream vs Light
Quick answer: Choose Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream if your skin is dry or sensitive and needs rich care, especially in winter. Choose Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light if your skin is normal, or you want the same rose care in a lighter texture for warmer months. Choose Dr. Hauschka Melissa Day Cream for combination skin with dry patches and shine: it leaves a matte finish and is vegan.
Dr. Hauschka calls Rose Day Cream "our classic", and says rose cream was where its natural skincare began in 1967. It's the brand's most-reviewed day cream on its UK website, and the one it lists first on its Day Creams page. All three creams in this guide are NATRUE-certified natural cosmetics: free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and preservatives, free from mineral oils, silicones and PEG, and dermatologically tested on sensitive skin. Below, we compare textures, show a simple morning routine, suggest gifts and list every Dr. Hauschka product we stock. Where we quote the brand, we say so.
Rose Day Cream vs Rose Day Cream Light vs Melissa at a glance
| Rose Day Cream | Rose Day Cream Light | Melissa Day Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin type (brand) | Dry, sensitive skin | Normal to dry skin | Normal to dry combination skin |
| Texture (brand) | Rich, with a "high oil and wax content" | "Absorbs well and is pleasantly light to wear" | Absorbs quickly, for "an even, matte appearance" |
| Key ingredients (brand) | Shea butter, rose petal wax, avocado oil; rose petal, rose hip and marsh mallow extracts | Rose water, rose wax, rose extract; avocado, sesame and almond oils | Melissa (lemon balm), daisy, anthyllis, witch hazel and carrot extracts; tapioca starch |
| Scent | Rose, from natural essential oils | Rose, from natural essential oils | A "wonderful fresh scent" |
| Best season (brand) | Winter | Summer and warmer weather | All year |
| Under make-up | "Ideal base for make-up" | "Ideal base for make-up" | "Ideal base for make-up" |
| Vegan? | No (contains beeswax) | No (contains beeswax) | Yes, labelled "Vegan skin care" |
| SPF | None | None | None |
| Size we stock | 30ml tube | 30ml tube | 30ml tube |
Which Dr. Hauschka day cream suits your skin?
In one line each: dry skin suits Rose Day Cream; normal skin, or dry skin in warmer months, suits Rose Day Cream Light; combination skin suits Melissa Day Cream. These picks follow Dr. Hauschka's own descriptions.
| Your skin | Pick | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|
| Dry or sensitive, or it feels tight in cold weather | Rose Day Cream | Soothing Cleansing Milk + Facial Toner |
| Normal, or you find Rose Day Cream too rich | Rose Day Cream Light | Soothing Cleansing Milk + Facial Toner |
| Dry in summer, drier in winter | Rose Day Cream Light in warm months, Rose Day Cream in winter | Facial Toner |
| Combination: dry patches plus shine | Melissa Day Cream | Clarifying Toner |
| Oily, blemish-prone | Clarifying Day Oil | Clarifying Toner |
| You prefer vegan skincare | Melissa Day Cream | Facial Toner or Clarifying Toner (both vegan) |
Melissa is the vegan choice of the three; both Rose creams contain beeswax. See our vegan skincare routine guide for more ideas.
What do they feel like? Texture and scent
Rose Day Cream: rich and cushioning
Dr. Hauschka describes Rose Day Cream as rich, nourishing care for dry, sensitive skin, with a high oil and wax content. Shea butter, rose petal wax and avocado oil give it a cushioning, comforting feel, and extracts of rose petals, rose hips and marsh mallow complete the formula. It smells softly of rose, from natural essential oils.
Rose Day Cream Light: the lighter rose
Rose Day Cream Light is made for normal to dry skin. Dr. Hauschka says it "absorbs well and is pleasantly light to wear", and calls it "a suitable summer alternative to our classic Rose Day Cream". The formula is built on rose water, rose wax and rose extract, with avocado, marsh mallow root, sesame oil and almond oil. It's a good pick if the classic feels too rich.
Melissa Day Cream: fresh, with a matte finish
Melissa Day Cream is Dr. Hauschka's day cream for normal to dry combination skin. The brand says it moisturises "where moisture is needed" while reducing shine, and that tapioca starch gives "an even, matte appearance". Extracts of melissa (lemon balm), daisy, anthyllis, witch hazel and carrot go into the formula. Dr. Hauschka describes "a wonderful fresh scent, making it a popular product for men, too", and labels it vegan.
If you avoid certain ingredients, check the full ingredient list on the pack (see the FAQs below).
How to use a Dr. Hauschka day cream
Dr. Hauschka keeps the morning routine simple: cleanse, tone, then day cream.
Step 1: Cleanse (Soothing Cleansing Milk)
Apply Soothing Cleansing Milk evenly to a damp face each morning and evening, then remove it with water, a cosmetic sponge or a lukewarm cloth. To take off eye make-up, apply a little to a dampened cotton pad. Dr. Hauschka makes it for all skin types, and it's suitable for vegans. Find more options in our cleansers and washes.
Step 2: Tone (Facial Toner or Clarifying Toner)
After cleansing, mist your toner onto your face and gently press it into the skin. Facial Toner is for normal, dry and sensitive skin, so it's the natural partner for either Rose cream. Clarifying Toner is for oily, blemish-prone or combination skin, and pairs with Melissa Day Cream. Both are in our mists and toners collection.
Step 3: Day cream
The directions are the same for all three creams: "Each morning after cleansing and toning, apply evenly to face and neck. Include the décolleté, if desired." Reviewers on Dr. Hauschka's site often say a little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and add more only if your skin needs it. Both Rose creams are in our sensitive skin edit.
In the evening, Dr. Hauschka suggests cleansing and toning, then one of its serums rather than a day cream. We don't stock Dr. Hauschka serums at the moment.
Under make-up, and what about SPF?
Dr. Hauschka says all three creams make an ideal base for make-up. Melissa Day Cream gives the most matte finish. None of these day creams contains SPF, so add a sunscreen if you need sun protection.
Winter vs summer: when to switch
Dr. Hauschka's own seasonal tip is to use Rose Day Cream in winter, when the cold sets in, and to try Rose Day Cream Light in warmer weather. On the Light page, it adds: "For extra care in winter, switch to the richer formula of Rose Day Cream." For more ideas on getting through the dry season, read our winter dry-skin guide.
Dr. Hauschka gift ideas
We don't stock Dr. Hauschka gift sets, but it's easy to build your own from single products.
| Gift | What's in it | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| The rose morning routine | Soothing Cleansing Milk + Facial Toner + Rose Day Cream | Anyone with dry skin who loves the classic |
| The lighter rose routine | Soothing Cleansing Milk + Facial Toner + Rose Day Cream Light | Normal skin, or someone who prefers lighter textures |
| The combination-skin routine | Soothing Cleansing Milk + Clarifying Toner + Melissa Day Cream | Combination skin; Melissa's fresh scent is "popular … for men, too" (brand) |
| Rose face and body | Rose Day Cream + Rose Nurturing Body Oil | A rose lover; add Facial Toner for a fuller gift |
| Body oil trio | Rose Nurturing + Moor Lavender + Lemon Lemongrass body oils | A pamper present with three different scents |
| The full rose ritual | Soothing Cleansing Milk + Facial Toner + Rose Day Cream + Rose Nurturing Body Oil | A big gift: cleanse, tone and moisture for face, plus body oil |
We offer free UK delivery on orders over £50, and you can use code WELCOME10 for 10% off orders over £80.
Every Dr. Hauschka product at Grace Beauty
Here is every Dr. Hauschka product we stock, numbered from most to least popular. The order is based on public ratings on Dr. Hauschka's UK website and at a major UK beauty retailer. You'll find all 11 in our Dr. Hauschka range.
Face care
| # | Product | What it is | Who it suits | How to use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Day Cream 30ml | The brand's classic day cream: rich and cushioning, with shea butter, rose petal wax and avocado oil | Dry, sensitive skin; autumn and winter | Mornings, after cleansing and toning |
| 2 | Soothing Cleansing Milk 145ml | Gentle cleansing milk that also removes make-up, including eye make-up; vegan | All skin types | Morning and evening, on a damp face; remove with water or a warm cloth |
| 3 | Facial Toner 100ml | Toning mist, and the step before Rose Day Cream or Rose Day Cream Light; vegan | Normal, dry and sensitive skin | Mist on after cleansing and press in |
| 4 | Clarifying Toner 100ml | Toning mist and the partner for Melissa Day Cream or Clarifying Day Oil; vegan | Oily, blemish-prone or combination skin | Mist on after cleansing and press in |
| 5 | Rose Day Cream Light 30ml | The lighter rose day cream that absorbs well; the brand's summer alternative to the classic | Normal to dry skin; spring and summer | Mornings, after cleansing and toning |
| 6 | Melissa Day Cream 30ml | Fresh-scented day cream with a matte finish from tapioca starch; vegan | Normal to dry combination skin; popular with men too (brand) | Mornings, after cleansing and toning |
| 8 | Clarifying Day Oil 18ml | Day oil that "absorbs easily without leaving a greasy shine" (brand) | Oily, blemish-prone skin | Use sparingly; in winter, over any other day care product (brand) |
Browse more in our face creams, mists and toners and oils and serums.
Body care
| # | Product | What it is | Who it suits | How to use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Rose Nurturing Body Oil 75ml | Rose-scented body oil; the natural gift partner for Rose Day Cream | Rose lovers; skin that feels dry | On damp skin after a bath or shower |
| 9 | Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil 75ml | Warming body oil with a soft lavender scent | Dry skin; an evening ritual | Shake first; on damp or dry skin |
| 10 | Lemon Lemongrass Vitalising Body Oil 75ml | Uplifting citrus body oil | Anyone who likes a fresh morning scent | On damp skin after your shower |
| 11 | Bergamot Lemongrass Vitalising Body Milk 145ml | Light, fast-absorbing body lotion with bergamot, neroli and lemongrass; vegan | Normal to dry skin | All over the body; no greasy film |
Dr. Hauschka says applying body oil to moist skin after a bath or shower gives the best absorption. See more in our body oils and butters.
Dr. Hauschka day cream FAQs
What's the difference between Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream and Rose Day Cream Light?
Rose Day Cream is the richer one, with a high oil and wax content, made for dry, sensitive skin and colder months. Rose Day Cream Light absorbs faster and feels lighter, and suits normal to dry skin or warmer weather. Both are rose-scented 30ml day creams that work as a base for make-up.
Which Dr. Hauschka day cream is best for dry skin?
Rose Day Cream. Dr. Hauschka describes it as rich, nourishing care for dry, sensitive skin, and recommends it in winter, when its high oil and wax content comes into its own. If it feels too rich in summer, switch to Rose Day Cream Light.
Which Dr. Hauschka day cream is best for combination skin?
Melissa Day Cream. Dr. Hauschka makes it for normal to dry combination skin: it hydrates dry patches while tapioca starch gives a matte finish. It's also vegan, with a fresh scent. Pair it with Clarifying Toner.
Can I use Rose Day Cream Light in winter?
Yes, if your skin is normal and it feels comfortable. Dr. Hauschka suggests switching to the richer Rose Day Cream in winter if your skin needs extra care. If your skin feels tight once the heating is on, it's time to switch.
How do you use Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream?
Each morning, cleanse and tone, then apply it evenly to your face and neck (and décolleté if you like). Reviewers say a little goes a long way, so start small. In the evening, Dr. Hauschka recommends a serum rather than a day cream.
Can you wear Dr. Hauschka day cream under make-up?
Yes. Dr. Hauschka says Rose Day Cream, Rose Day Cream Light and Melissa Day Cream all make an ideal base for make-up. Give it a minute to sink in before foundation. Melissa Day Cream gives the most matte finish of the three.
Do Dr. Hauschka day creams contain SPF?
No. None of the three lists a sunscreen filter in its ingredients, so add a separate sunscreen if you need sun protection. Apply your day cream first, let it sink in, then follow with sunscreen.
Is Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream vegan?
No. Rose Day Cream and Rose Day Cream Light both contain beeswax. Melissa Day Cream is labelled vegan by Dr. Hauschka, as are Soothing Cleansing Milk, Facial Toner and Clarifying Toner, so you can build a vegan routine around Melissa.
Does Rose Day Cream contain nut oils?
Its ingredient list includes Arachis Hypogaea (peanut) oil, as does Melissa Day Cream. Rose Day Cream Light has no peanut oil but lists sweet almond oil and wheat bran extract. Always check the full ingredient list on the pack before you buy.
Is Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream a good gift?
Yes. It's the brand's classic, rose-scented cream and the one it started with. Pair it with Soothing Cleansing Milk and Facial Toner for a three-step routine, or with Rose Nurturing Body Oil for a rose face-and-body gift.
Find your Dr. Hauschka day cream
Prefer a classic from Elizabeth Arden? See our Visible Difference vs Eight Hour guide.
Shop the full Dr. Hauschka collection at Grace Beauty and choose Rose Day Cream for dry skin, Rose Day Cream Light for normal skin or Melissa Day Cream for combination skin. We offer free UK delivery on orders over £50, and you can use code WELCOME10 for 10% off orders over £80.