vanishing cream noun Etymology:vanishing (present participle of vanish) (I) + cream : a cosmetic preparation that is less oily than cold cream, that typically contains an excess of stearic acid emulsified by a stearate soap in a high percentage of water, and that is used chiefly as a foundation for face powder < vanishing creams do not actually disappear into the skin, but simply spread a thin smooth film over it — Florence E. Wall > — compare cold cream