View source for Nivea

{{Short description|German brand of skin care products}}
{{Other uses|Nivea (disambiguation)}}
{{Prose|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox brand
| image                  = NIVEA logo 2021.svg
| image_size             = 160px
| name                   = Nivea 
| caption                = Logo used since 2021, a mix of 1934 and 2011
| type                   = [[Skin]] and [[Human body|body]] care
| currentowner           = [[Beiersdorf|Beiersdorf AG]]
| origin                 = [[Germany]]
| introduced             = {{Start date and age|1911}}<br/>(as Nivea)
| related                = {{Bulleted list|[[Eucerin]]|[[Aquaphor]]|[[Labello]]||[[Coppertone]]|}}
| markets                = Worldwide
| website                = {{URL|https://www.nivea.com/|nivea.com}}
}}

'''Nivea''' ({{IPA|de|niˈveːa|-|De-Nivea.ogg}},<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kleiner |first1=Stefan|last2=Knöbl |first2=Ralf |last3=Mangold |first3=Max|year=2015 |title=Das Aussprachewörterbuch |edition=7 |location=Berlin |publisher=Duden |page=634 |isbn=978-3-411-04067-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last1 = Krech | first1 = Eva-Maria | last2 = Stock | first2 = Eberhard | last3 = Hirshfeld | first3 = Ursula | last4 = Anders | first4 = Lutz Christian | title = Deutsches Aussprachewörterbuch | chapter = NIVEA | publisher = De Gruyter | year = 2010 | location = Berlin, New York | url = http://www.degruyter.de/ | access-date = 2011-06-16 | isbn = 978-3-11-018202-6 | archive-date = 2012-01-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120105221548/http://www.degruyter.de/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> stylized as '''NIVEA''') is a German [[personal care]] brand that specializes in [[skin]] and [[Human body|body]] care. It is owned by the [[Hamburg]]-based company [[Beiersdorf]] Global AG, who also makes the [[Eucerin]] brand. ''Nivea'' comes from the [[Latin]] adjective ''niveus'' meaning "snow-white".<ref name="latin-meaning">{{cite web|url=http://www.latinwordlist.com/latin-words/niveus-20027733.htm |title=Niveus |work=Latin Word List|access-date=2011-04-16 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220114138/http://latinwordlist.com/latin-words/niveus-20027733.htm |archive-date=2010-12-20 }}</ref><ref>{{cite dictionary |url= https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0060:entry=niveus |title=niveus |last1= Lewis |first1= Charlton T. |last2= Short |first2= Charles |dictionary= A Latin Dictionary |edition= |publisher= Perseus Digital Library |date = 1879 }}</ref>

In the 1930s, Beiersdorf produced various products such as [[indoor tanning lotion|tanning oil]], [[shaving cream]], [[shampoo]], [[cleanser|facial cleanser]], and [[toner (skin care)|toners]]. During World War II, the trademark "NIVEA" was expropriated in many countries. After the war, Beiersdorf repurchased the rights. During the 1980s, the NIVEA brand expanded into a wider [[Market economics|market]].

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2016}}

[[Paul Beiersdorf]] established Beiersdorf AG on 28 March 1882. Beiersdorf collaborated with dermatologist [[Paul Gerson Unna]] to produce [[gutta-percha]] [[Adhesive bandage|plasters]] in his laboratory based on his patent, laying the foundations for modern plaster technology.<ref name="beiersdorf.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.beiersdorf.com/about-us/our-history/personalities/paul-gerson-unna | title=Prof. Dr. Paul Gerson Unna &#124; Personalities &#124; About Us - Beiersdorf }}</ref> In 1890, pharmacist [[Oscar Troplowitz]] took over the company and collaborated with Unna, who recommended Isaac Lifschütz, inventor of the lanolin-based emulsifier Eucerit, which was patented in 1900. Nivea soap was released in 1906, and in 1911, its signature creme was introduced.<ref name="beiersdorf.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Biography - ERIH|url=https://www.erih.net/how-it-started/stories-about-people-biographies/biography/troplowitz|access-date=2021-04-29|website=www.erih.net}}</ref>

===Timeline===
* 1900: Patent application for [[Lanolin]], an emulsifying agent. Eucerit was the basis for Eucerin and, later on, for NIVEA Creme.
* 1906: The first overseas branch was established in [[London]].
* 1909: [[Labello]] was launched on the market. It was the first lip care product in sliding tube packaging. "Labello" is derived from the Latin for "beautiful lip" (labea = lip; bello = beautiful).
* 1911: NIVEA Creme – the first stable water-in-oil emulsion – was introduced. The emulsifying agent Eucerit is made from [[lanolin]], found in sheep's wool, and is the key to NIVEA Creme's unique properties.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former Beiersdorf CEO dies|url=https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/Former_Beiersdorf_CEO_dies/87228|access-date=2021-04-29|website=cosmeticsbusiness.com|archive-date=2021-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429095410/https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/Former_Beiersdorf_CEO_dies/87228|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 1918: The deaths of Oscar Troplowitz and his partner Otto Hanns Mankiewicz resulted in the formation of a formal company on 1 June 1922.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=Geoffrey |last2=Lubinski |first2=Christina |date=2012 |title=Managing Political Risk in Global Business: Beiersdorf 1914—1990 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23702489 |journal=Enterprise & Society |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=85–119 |doi=10.1093/es/khr051 |jstor=23702489 |issn=1467-2227 |access-date=2023-08-29 |archive-date=2023-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829123823/https://www.jstor.org/stable/23702489 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=== 1920s ===
[[File:Nivea 1924-2010.jpg|thumb|Nivea (1924–2010)]]
* 1922: Willy Jacobsohn took over as chairman of the executive board of the newly formed stock corporation. The first self-adhesive plaster was introduced under the name Hansaplast.
* 1925: NIVEA is relaunched in a new packaging: a blue [[Tin box|tin]] with a white logo.
* 1928: Beiersdorf shares were listed on the [[Hamburg]] stock exchange for the first time. Over 20 production sites worldwide were already in operation.

=== Nazi period in Germany and aftermath ===
* 1933: Under pressure of [[Nazism|Nazi]] propaganda, the [[Jewish]] members of the executive board stepped down. Willy Jacobsohn, the former chairman of the executive board, headed the foreign affiliates from Amsterdam until 1938.
* By adopting a policy of "honorable tactics", the Beiersdorf Executive Board, under the leadership of Carl Claussen, steered the company through the Nazi period. Although Beiersdorf retained its business culture, it cooperated with the regime.<ref name="milestones">{{cite web|url=http://www.beiersdorf.com/about-us/our-history/milestones |title=Milestones |publisher=Beiersdorf.com |access-date=2016-10-24}}</ref>
* 1936: tesafilm, an innovative transparent adhesive film, was launched.
* 1941: [[Tesa SE|tesa]] was introduced as the umbrella brand for self-adhesive technology.
* During World War II, marketing manager Elly Heuss-Knapp distanced the brand from [[Nazism|Nazi]] ideology.<ref name="milestones"/> In 1949, her husband [[Theodor Heuss]] became first [[President of Germany]].
* 1945: At the end of the Second World War, most of the Hamburg production plants and administrative buildings in Hamburg were destroyed during bombing in WW2.
* 1945–1949: The Beiersdorf company lost most affiliates and international trademarks in almost all countries, particularly the US, the UK, the Commonwealth, and France. However, it began to regain its trademarks again.

=== Rest of 20th century ===
[[File:Nivea Lotion.jpg|thumb|upright|Nivea Lotion]]
* 1950: ph5 Eucerin was launched on the market. This innovative ointment emphasizes the importance of the skin's own natural protective acid barrier in maintaining good skin health.
* 1951: The first deodorizing soap, 8x4, was introduced. During the 1950s and 1960s, the brand was extended into a product family.
* 1953: NIVEA milk, liquid NIVEA Creme in a water-in-oil emulsion, was introduced "for all-over body care".
* 1955: Beiersdorf launched a 
protective hand cream called "atrix" on the market.
* 1974: Beiersdorf diversified its business and introduced a divisional structure. Currently, the divisions are cosmed, medical, pharma, and tesa.
* 1982: The steady expansion of NIVEA as a skin and body care brand started through many subbrands with an international focus—the introduction of NIVEA Gesicht (face) in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
* 1989: Change of strategy: Start implementing a strategic re-orientation process focusing on the core competencies of skin care, wound care, and adhesive technology.
* 1990: Acquisition of the Juvena brand, developed by the Divapharma pharmaceutical laboratory, founded in 1945 in Zurich.
* 1991: The acquisition of the La Prairie brand originated at the famous La Prairie clinic in [[Montreux]].
* 1992: Launch of NIVEA's Blue Harmony advertising campaign. It was placed the last time in 2005.
* 1995: Acquisition of the Futuro brand. The company was founded in 1917 by German Georg Jung, who produced bandages in Ohio, USA. The black-and-yellow packaging of the Futuro brand was introduced in 1936.
* 1999: The company's strategy was further streamlined to focus on a few strong consumer brands. Professional wound care and self-adhesive technology were allowed to introduce organizational structures.

=== Twenty-first century ===
[[File:Skulptur Franklinstr 1 (Charl) Beiersdorf Bär.jpg|thumb|upright|[[United Buddy Bears|Nivea Bear]], Franklinstrasse 1 in [[Charlottenburg]]]]
* 2001: The new strategy enabled tesa to become an independent affiliate. Tesa AG was formed as a wholly owned affiliate of Beiersdorf, enabling it to react more flexibly to consumers and industrial customers.

Professional wound care was spun off in line with the new strategy and contributed to a joint venture between Beiersdorf and Smith & Nephew. BSN Medical, domiciled in Hamburg, was founded.
* 2002: Florena became a wholly owned subsidiary of Beiersdorf. The cooperation dates back to 1989 and intensified following Germany's reunification.
* 2003: The previous divisional organization was replaced by a new functional group focusing on brands, supply chain management, finance, and human resources.
* 2004: The new skin research center opened in Hamburg, underscoring the innovative strength of the globally successful Beiersdorf group.
* 2008: NIVEA began sponsoring the [[Times Square Ball|Times Square New Year's Ball Drop]] on 31 December 2008, along with the [[NBC New Year's Eve specials#Carson's Countdown|Carson's Countdown]] on ''[[NBC New Year's Eve specials]].
* 2010: NIVEA launched its new product, NIVEA Happiness Sensation, featuring the song "[[Touch (Natasha Bedingfield song)|Touch]]" by singer-songwriter [[Natasha Bedingfield]] in the commercial.
*2011: NIVEA celebrates its "100 Years of Skincare" festivities featuring several performances by [[Barbados|Barbadian]] singer and actress [[Rihanna]].<ref name="popcrush1">{{cite web |url=http://popcrush.com/rihanna-cruise-nivea-campain/ |title=Long-Haired Rihanna Boards Cruise for Nivea Campaign |website=[[PopCrush]] |first=Cristin |last=Maher |date=May 10, 2011 |access-date=2011-05-30 |archive-date=2012-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321215003/http://popcrush.com/rihanna-cruise-nivea-campain/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Rihanna's song "[[California King Bed]]" was featured as a part of the "100 Years of Skincare" commercial campaign.<ref name="rihannanow1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rihannanow.com/story/news/california-king-bed-featured-niveas-tv-ad |title=California King Bed Featured in Nivea's TV AD! |website=RihannaNow.com |access-date=2011-05-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725072949/http://www.rihannanow.com/story/news/california-king-bed-featured-niveas-tv-ad |archive-date=2011-07-25 }}</ref>

==Controversies==
In 2011, NIVEA was fined $900,000 by the US [[Federal Trade Commission]] for falsely claiming that consumers could slim down by regularly applying NIVEA My Silhouette! cream to their skin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0923194/110629beiersdorfcmpt.pdf |title=Beiersdorf, Inc. |date=29 June 2011 |publisher=[[Federal Trade Commission]] |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2013-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927213633/http://ftc.gov/os/caselist/0923194/110629beiersdorfcmpt.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/06/beiersdorf.shtm |title=FTC Settlement Prohibits Marketer from Claiming that Nivea Skin Cream Can Help Consumers Slim Down |publisher=[[Federal Trade Commission]] |date=June 29, 2011 |df=dmy |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022072236/http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/06/beiersdorf.shtm |url-status=live }}</ref>  The same year, NIVEA published a world map on its website that omitted Israel;<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Lev |date=9 August 2011 |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/147685 |title=Boycotts Busted? EA, Nivea 'Forget' Israel, Draw Protest Letters |website=IsraelNationalNews.com |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2019-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504001440/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/147685 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]] protests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejpress.org/article/52964 |title=Israel boycotted by Nivea? Simon Wiesenthal Center expresses outrage in letter to German cosmetics company |work=European Jewish Press | date=7 September 2011 |access-date=2011-09-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323124948/http://www.ejpress.org/article/52964 |archive-date=2012-03-23 }}</ref>

In June 2019, the marketing and media industry journal [[Ad Age]] reported on 26 June 2019 that [[FCB (advertising agency)|FCB]], Nivea's long-time ad agency, had ended its relationship with the company. Among the primary reasons cited was NIVEA's rejection of a proposed ad that featured two men's hands touching because, according to a NIVEA executive, "we don't do gay at NIVEA."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rittenhouse |first1=Lindsay |last2=Neff |first2=Jack |title=FCB parts with Nivea amid rising tensions, including allegations of homophobic remark — Client reportedly said 'we don't do gay' on a call with the agency |url=https://adage.com/article/agency-news/fcb-parts-nivea-amid-rising-tensions-including-allegations-homophobic-remark/2180031 |website=AdAge |date=26 June 2019 |access-date=3 July 2019 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702214645/https://adage.com/article/agency-news/fcb-parts-nivea-amid-rising-tensions-including-allegations-homophobic-remark/2180031 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Crain's Chicago Business]] reported that FCB had ended the relationship of more than a century. Noting that the breakup occurred at the end of [[LGBT pride]] month, Crain's noted that FCB would be forgoing the management of NIVEA's $21.8 million US advertising budget. It represented 1% of FCB's revenue globally.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Neff |first1=Jack |last2=Rittenhouse |first2=Lindsay |title=Ugly FCB-Nivea breakup follows 100-year relationship, recent controversies: A rocky few years between Nivea and Chicago-based FCB have included three incidents where the brand was criticized for ads seen as racially insensitive. |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marketing-media/ugly-fcb-nivea-breakup-follows-100-year-relationship-recent-controversies |website=Crain's Chicago Business |date=July 2019 |access-date=3 July 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703155536/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marketing-media/ugly-fcb-nivea-breakup-follows-100-year-relationship-recent-controversies |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
* {{Portal-inline|Companies}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Nivea}}
* {{Official website|https://nivea.com}}
* [https://niveausa.com/about-us/beiersdorf/history NIVEA's History]

{{cosmetics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Beiersdorf brands]]
[[Category:German brands]]
[[Category:Cosmetics companies of Germany]]
[[Category:Personal care brands]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1911]]
[[Category:Soap brands]]