Brand History

100 Years of NIVEA

DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES. DIFFERENT NEEDS.

Over 100 years ago, we invented modern skin care with NIVEA Creme. Today, millions of people all over the world, all with different types of skin, rely on the NIVEA brand. That is why our researchers work extensively with different skin types and the different care requirements brought about by culture, gender and age. Thanks to this approach, we have developed numerous innovative skin care products over the past few decades – from deodorants to sunscreen products.

100 years of memories in one tin

The first NIVEA Creme tin 1911

100 years of memories in one tin

NIVEA Creme tin 1922

100 years of memories in one tin

The first blue NIVEA Creme tin hits the shelves in 1925

100 years of memories in one tin

NIVEA Creme tin 1928

100 years of memories in one tin

From 1935, the NIVEA tin is given new typography, with “sharp corners”

100 years of memories in one tin

NIVEA Creme tin 1949

100 years of memories in one tin

The “Creme” lettering appears on the NIVEA tin for the first time in 1959

100 years of memories in one tin

NIVEA Creme tin 1970

100 years of memories in one tin

NIVEA Creme tin 1988 with the addition of “no preservatives"

100 years of memories in one tin

NIVEA Creme tin 1993

100 years of memories in one tin

NIVEA Creme tin 2007 with slightly adjusted colour and embossed logo

It all started with “nix”

Before NIVEA Creme's success story could begin, something entirely different had to be invented – Eucerit. Eucerit acts as an emulsifier and combines oil and water into an extremely fine, stable mixture. Fortunately, Dr Isaac Lifschütz had developed this completely new emulsifier by 1911. Dermatologist Professor Paul Gerson Unna admired Dr Lifschütz’s specialist knowledge in this area and presented it to Dr Oscar Troplowitz, chemist and co-founder of Beiersdorf. The latter immediately realised that the water-in-oil emulsion would form the perfect base for a cosmetic skin cream. All they now needed was a name. And to find one, Dr Troplowitz needed to look no further than the cream itself. Once the emulsion was finished, it had a snow white colour. The name NIVEA comes from the Latin words “nix, nivis” and means “snow”. When translated, NIVEA literally means “snow white”.

1911-1949

NIVEA GAINS WORLDWIDE POPULARITY

1911

The chemist Dr Isaac Lifschütz invents the emulsifier “Eucerit”, which has the ability to produce a stable water and oil mixture. Pharmacist and entrepreneur Dr Oscar Troplowitz recognises its potential and together with dermatologist Prof. Paul Gerson Unna develops “the mother of all creams” – NIVEA. Following in the wake of its success, the range expands – soon there is talc, soap and hair milk. In keeping with the spirit of the three researchers, more than 500 employees work in research and development with us today. Over the years, our commitment has led to many advances in skin care that are now taken for granted.

Skin care gets a name

Dr. Oscar Troplowitz

Co-founder of the company

Skin care gets a name

Patent certificate for Eucerin

Dr Isaac Lifschütz's patent certificate for Eucerin

Skin care gets a name

Prof. Paul Gerson Unna

Dermatologist and Beiersdorf consultant

Skin care gets a name

Paul C. Beiersdorf

Founder of the company in about 1885

Skin care gets a name

Research laboratory staff in 1914

Beiersdorf research laboratory in 1914

1914

Ocean liners and the first seaplanes connect countries and continents, making long-distance travel easier and enabling expansion into international markets. The newly founded Beiersdorf seizes this opportunity: just three years after its launch, NIVEA Creme is available on every continent. By now, 42 percent of its sales is already generated abroad. NIVEA Creme’s stable formula allows it to withstand long journeys in different climate zones. Today NIVEA is available all over the world, in over 200 countries.

1924

It's not just fashion-conscious women in their 20s and 30s who characterise the era – the man of the world wears a moustache. NIVEA recognises the need for caring for male facial skin before and after shaving, and their shaving soap becomes the first product specifically developed for men. Sport and leisure activities become more and more popular in society. The traditional, aristocratic pallid complexion is replaced by a desire for vitality and a light tan. Quite by chance, Juan Gregorio Clausen, Head of Advertising at Beiersdorf, discovers three cheerful, cheeky, fresh-faced young brothers, and in 1924 the NIVEA Boys become the new stars of NIVEA advertising. At the same time, a new design concept makes its début: NIVEA appears on the famous blue tin, which remains iconic of the NIVEA brand today.

The first boy band?

1925

The NIVEA Girls

Although nowadays reality television shows like “Britain’s Got Talent”, “The X Factor” or “Britain's Next Top Model” are commonplace, this kind of talent competition was something completely unknown to the people of 1925. So when NIVEA placed an advertisement in a Berlin newspaper and announced a nationwide search for three NIVEA Girls, it caused quite a stir with the public. Even more so because NIVEA was not looking for glamorous models but the girl next door: “We are not looking for ravishing beauties, glamour girls dressed for a ball or fashionably groomed ladies but marvellous young girls who look healthy and natural and fresh.” A young mother from Flensburg in northern Germany, Mrs Fröhlich, saw the advertisement and thought that her three daughters Margot, Elfriede and Hertha fitted the description perfectly. When their father found out about the plan, he made it clear that he did not want to see his daughters as “poster girls” – and so their mother went ahead and entered them without telling him. The girls were lucky that she did so, because in the end the Fröhlich sisters beat more than 1,000 other girls who had also participated in the competition. It even turned out that the family hadn't yet heard of NIVEA because they had only recently moved to Germany from Samoa, where NIVEA products were not available. The proud Mr Fröhlich soon warmed to the idea that his daughters should become the NIVEA Girls, and so they became the stars of the new NIVEA advertisements. And just like the NIVEA Boys before them, it was not long before the Fröhlich sisters were also greeted with a cheerful “Hello NIVEA!” wherever they went.

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

One of the first NIVEA advertisements for cream and soap from 1911/1912

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

NIVEA poster by graphic artist Hans Rudi Erdt from about 1912

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

Advertisement for NIVEA cream, powder and soap from 1913

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

NIVEA advertising poster for cream and oil for sunbathing from 1931

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

Even in wet and cold weather NIVEA protects against rough skin. Advertising poster from 1932

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

NIVEA advertising poster from 1933

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

International NIVEA English-language advertising poster from 1934

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

NIVEA advertising poster from 1935

Vintage advertisements up to 1949: The early days of the Creme

Advertising Poster for NIVEA Ultra Oil from the 1930s

1950-1984

NIVEA BECOMES THE PIONEER OF SUN PROTECTION

1958

The 1950s are bubbling over with regained vitality, optimism and dynamism. Growing prosperity makes it possible for more people to travel. Owning your own car makes people mobile, and the most popular destinations are bathed in sunlight. The NIVEA research department has already been doing extensive research on the effects of the sun's rays on the skin, and so now is the perfect time to develop and launch the Ultra-Oil Spray - something entirely new. The straightforward application and pleasantly light feeling the spray leaves on the skin reflects the liberating spirit of an entire generation. The NIVEA ball becomes the perfect holiday accessory. Easy to store and even easier to inflate, it provides fun for the whole family. Over the past 40 years we have produced over 20 million balls, and all over the world people know and love them.

The NIVEA ball – fun in the sun

Originally invented in the 1930s as a 3-D version of the NIVEA Creme tin, the NIVEA ball becomes a huge hit in the 1960s. Take a look at an advertising poster from the 1960s.

The NIVEA ball – fun in the sun

1963

The 1960s is an era of rebelliousness. More and more women also assert themselves in their family life and at work. They have their own interests and not so much time for beauty regimes. NIVEA produces NIVEA Milk, a new type of emulsion that revolutionises skin care. The “liquid cream” is easy to apply and quickly absorbed, and at the same time ensures intensely moisturised skin. NIVEA also makes modern family life easier in another area: in keeping with the baby boom, the “Baby Fine” range of care products is launched to protect delicate baby skin. With the new NIVEA Baby product range, new parents are able to care for and protect the delicate skin of their newborn infants. Our product range for babies includes powder, bath products, cream, soap and cotton buds – and expands further in the 1990s.

Women demonstrate self-confidence

Women are now doing the same jobs as their husbands, but that doesn't mean they have to neglect their beauty regime. With NIVEA Milk, introduced in 1963, NIVEA pampers the entire body – quickly and easily.

1975

Leafing through fashion magazines of the time, one thing soon becomes clear – sex appeal has arrived. Bikinis are becoming smaller, and the more daring among us lie topless on the beach. In the 1970s, safer sunscreen becomes more and more topical. The NIVEA researchers play an important role in developing a method to determine the sun protection factor. This makes a direct comparison of the sunscreen efficacy of various products possible for the first time. By 1975, NIVEA is able to indicate the sun protection factor on its products.

Summer, Sun, Sun Care

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA advertisement 1973

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA advertisement 1974

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA advertising poster 1950

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA advertising poster 1955

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA Spray advertisement 1959

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA Creme and Milk advertisement 1964

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA advertisement 1971

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA Aftershave Balm advertisement from 1980

Classic Ads: 1950-1984

NIVEA advertisement Face 1982

1985-Today

NIVEA REVOLUTIONISES SKIN CARE

1986

Today it is normal for men to choose from a vast selection of skin care products. But 90 years ago, skin care for men consisted of little more than soap and water. NIVEA made a significant contribution to changing that. Following its shaving soap and shaving cream, NIVEA once again sets the trend in 1980 with its alcohol-free Aftershave Balm. The mild aftershave balm quickly becomes a favourite among men, which just goes to show that men wanted and needed their own products. The next big innovation follows in 1986. The first skin care range aimed exclusively at the needs of men's skin to get a foothold in the bathroom is NIVEA MEN. Today, NIVEA MEN includes a wide range of creams, shampoos, styling products, shower and body care, facial care and anti-ageing products.

NIVEA ensures equality in the bathroom – men discover care products

In the 1980s, NIVEA starts to develop numerous care products especially aimed at the needs of male skin – with great success.

NIVEA ensures equality in the bathroom – men discover care products

NIVEA produces the first alcohol-free aftershave product that relaxes and soothes the skin after shaving instead of irritating it.

NIVEA ensures equality in the bathroom – men discover care products

Gel, soap or cream? Adjustable electric trimmer or 3D blade system? Unlike today, men of the 1980s were not exactly spoilt for choice when it came to the perfect shave – but NIVEA shaving cream was a good start.

1998

The older generation is showing signs of a new-found sense of self-confidence. They have money, feel youthful and place high demands on their quality of life. This also has an effect on skin care. The NIVEA research division unlocks the relationship between growing older and the skin’s needs. The result is a new skin care line for mature skin. For the first time, women over 50 are addressed purposefully and directly. And the development continues – computer and imaging techniques become more efficient, and this results in better possibilities for taking a look inside the skin. The NIVEA research division is gaining new knowledge about the structure and function of our skin, and Beiersdorf uses this information in 1998 to become one of the first companies to develop a cream that contains an ingredient found in the skin itself. Over subsequent years, NIVEA uses the ingredient coenzyme Q10 in almost all applicable product categories – from NIVEA For Men to NIVEA Sun.

Another world first from NIVEA: the first cream containing Q10

Q10 becomes a highlight in many product categories.

Another world first from NIVEA: the first cream containing Q10

In 1998 the NIVEA researchers revolutionise anti-wrinkle care.

Another world first from NIVEA: the first cream containing Q10

NIVEA develops a cream that contains the skin's own active ingredient Q10.

2011/2014

Radiance and a well-groomed appearance are becoming increasingly important. However, our lifestyle is becoming faster and more stressful. But thanks to NIVEA, no-one has to give up nurturing feel-good moments. That’s because NIVEA invents a series of innovative products that provide first-class care in minimal time. As a result, NIVEA Invisible Black & White, the first range of deodorants that leaves almost no white residue on dark fabrics or yellow stains on light fabrics, is launched in 2011. It's a real revolution!

This is followed by another innovation highlight in 2014 when the In-Shower Body Lotion is introduced to the market. Adapted to the daily routine of modern women and men, it saves a great deal of time because it can be applied quickly and easily in the shower. And now every day is a Body Lotion day!

Revolutionary anti-stain technology for deodorants

In 2011, the innovative, 48-hour, invisible deodorant for protection and care is launched: NIVEA Invisible for Black & White. This product range protects fabrics against discolouration and also meets the highest quality standards for an effective deodorant.

The first body lotion for the shower from NIVEA

In 2014, Beiersdorf researchers develop a new way to quickly and easily apply cream: the In-Shower Body Lotion. The revolutionary body care product for the shower is very well received. Soon after, an entire range comes into being: the NIVEA In-Shower Family.

Today and tomorrow

What began in 1911 as NIVEA Creme is today a huge brand family with over 500 products. Over the decades, NIVEA has developed many innovative skin care products, and the innovations keep coming! With Natural Balance NIVEA takes on the environmental issue, a matter close to many people's hearts. It is the first highly effective NIVEA range with mainly natural ingredients, partly from organic farming. In addition, NIVEA Q10plus anti-wrinkle serum active beads – which has the highest concentration of the skin's own Q10 ingredient within the NIVEA Q10plus anti-wrinkle range – is introduced on the market. Past, present and future – when it comes to skin care, NIVEA always sets new standards.

The success story continues

NIVEA’s research division is working on a new generation of ingredients. Because in the future, customers should be able to select high-quality, effective skin care products.