Our Story | NIVEA

The story of
NIVEA skincare

NIVEA has been a familiar friend to families for over 100 years, supporting them with carefully selected ingredients.

Our Promise

Science-backed, skin-trusted care for everybody, every day.

Our Purpose

To help everybody feel at home in their skin—confident, cared for, and free.

Our Values

We care for people and planet—with integrity, inclusivity, and responsibility.

The original
SKINCARE PIONEER

The breakthrough

In 1911, NIVEA began with a breakthrough:  Eucerit—a revolutionary emulsifier that blended oil and water into a smooth, stable cream, and changed skincare forever.

Original icon

This snow-white formula became the world's first modern skincare product—NIVEA Creme. Named after nix, Latin for snow, it quickly became a global phenomenon.

Portrait of Dr. Oscar Troplowitz with his signature

Science meets skin

Behind this innovation stood Dr. Oscar Troplowitz, a forward-thinking pharmacist whose belief in science-backed care laid the foundation for NIVEA.

Here comes the sun

As skin science advanced, so did we—introducing SPF into mainstream sun care and making everyday protection simple, effective, and accessible for all.

Female firsts

By the ‘70s, NIVEA was pioneering a new era of skincare for a new era of women—creating visionary campaigns and products that celebrated confidence and independence.

A new kind of fresh

Our world first alcohol-free aftershave revolutionised men's skincare—offering gentle protection that soothes rather than stings.

Anti-aging innovation

In the ’90s, NIVEA unlocked the anti-aging power of coenzyme Q10, giving millions access to a science-backed way to reduce wrinkles and support skin renewal.

Moisture, made effortless

The first-ever in-shower body lotion was a NIVEA innovation—combining convenience and care to delivering smooth, hydrated skin in seconds, with no extra effort.

Introducing
NIVEA Creme

Everyone knows the blue tin, white cream and inimitable scent. In fact, this cream is loved by generations around the world for its moisturization properties and its truly unique fragrance, which is synonymous with protection, care, trust and happiness.

The story of
NIVEA skincare

NIVEA started out in 1890 when pharmacist Dr. Troplowitz acquired a laboratory for dermatotherapeutic preparations in Hamburg. There, Troplowitz worked together with scientific consultant and dermatologist Professor Unna to create the first water-in-oil emulsion.

They discovered a new ointment base called Eucerit ®. This is a wax found in sheep’s wool, which acts as an emulsifier. With this ointment, oil and water could be bound in a stable, snow-white cream base for the first time. Until then, emulsions reacted to changes in temperature, separating into independent water and oil parts.

The resulting cream formulated with lipids, oils and its unique scent launched in 1911. This marked the beginning of an unparalleled brand history.