About Nivea
Nivea is one of the world's most recognisable skincare brands, founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1911 by Beiersdorf. The iconic blue and white Nivea Creme was revolutionary as the world's first stable oil-and-water-based cream suitable for mass production. The name derives from the Latin word "nix, nivis" meaning snow, reflecting the cream's distinctive white colour. Today, Nivea is owned by Beiersdorf AG, a German multinational headquartered in Hamburg, with UK operations based at Birmingham Business Park employing approximately 190 staff. The development of Nivea represents a breakthrough in cosmetic science. In 1911, Beiersdorf's scientific consultant Paul Gerson Unna and chemist Isaak Lifschütz developed Eucerit, the emulsifier that became the foundation of Nivea Creme. This innovation allowed the creation of a stable moisturising cream that could be manufactured at scale. Oscar Troplowitz, who had acquired Beiersdorf from founder Paul Beiersdorf in 1890, launched the product in December 1911. The famous blue tin design was introduced in 1925 and remains largely unchanged today. Beiersdorf's brand portfolio extends beyond Nivea to include Eucerin (makers of Aquaphor), Labello lip care, La Prairie luxury skincare, Elastoplast wound care, Tesa adhesive products, and Coppertone sun care. The Herz family, owners of German coffee company Tchibo, holds a 49.9% stake in Beiersdorf. Today, Nivea boasts over 500 products on the market and was valued at approximately 6.6 billion US dollars as of 2023. The Nivea product range in the UK covers multiple categories. Body care includes the classic Nivea Creme, Nivea Soft moisturiser, and body lotions for different skin types. The Q10 Power range targets anti-ageing concerns, with products claiming to reduce wrinkles and firm skin within weeks. Nivea Sun provides extensive sun protection including SPF 50+ options, while the Nivea Men range offers deodorants, moisturisers, and shaving products specifically formulated for men's slightly thicker skin. Nivea Q10 is particularly popular in the UK, with the Q10 Power Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Face Cream earning 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 730 reviews on Boots. The range includes formulations for different skin concerns: Q10 Power Extra Firming for normal skin, Q10 Energy Radiance Boost for dull skin, Q10 Extra Nourish for dry and menopausal skin, Q10 Pore Minimising for combination skin, and Q10 Sensitive for sensitive skin. The products contain skin-identical coenzyme Q10 and creatine to support skin's natural processes. For men, Nivea Men offers comprehensive grooming products. The deodorant range provides 24-48 hour protection with options including Protect & Care (0% alcohol, dermatologically proven), Stress Protect (for stress-related sweating), and the Deep range with activated black charcoal. The Sensitive range contains Vitamin E, natural chamomile, and witch hazel for those prone to irritation, while moisturisers are formulated for men's specific skincare needs. Regarding sensitive skin and allergens, Nivea has made notable formula changes. Following customer feedback, Nivea removed Almond Oil from all Nivea Sun products from December 2023 onwards, with updated packaging clearly stating "Does not contain Almond Oil." Products contain fragrance ingredients that are among the EU's 26 declared allergens, including geraniol, linalool, and limonene. While Nivea states their fragrances meet strict skin tolerability criteria, approximately 1-2% of the population may show allergic responses. On the subject of cruelty-free and vegan status, Nivea is not considered cruelty-free by independent certification organisations including PETA and Leaping Bunny. While Beiersdorf has over 35 years of experience developing alternative testing methods and does not conduct animal testing unless required by law, Nivea products are sold in China where animal testing may be legally required. Some Nivea products are formulated without animal-derived ingredients and labelled as vegan, including Nivea Soft which contains 95% naturally derived ingredients. Prices for Nivea products vary across UK supermarkets. Nivea Soft Moisturiser 500ml typically retails around £6.20, with loyalty card offers like Tesco Clubcard reducing this to £5. Nivea Creme 200ml averages around £4.48. Body lotions and day creams range from £3 to £8 depending on size and formulation. Price comparison sites show variations between Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, and Boots, with promotional offers changing frequently. Compared to competitors Dove (Unilever) and Olay (Procter & Gamble), Nivea occupies a mid-market position. Dove is known for gentle, everyday body care and is PETA-approved cruelty-free. Olay focuses specifically on anti-ageing with advanced formulations. Nivea offers broader product range spanning body care, face care, sun protection, men's grooming, and lip care. For sun protection specifically, Nivea is often recommended for its high SPF options and broad-spectrum coverage. Nivea products are widely available at all major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons, as well as Boots, Superdrug, and online retailers. The brand's accessibility combined with its heritage and extensive product range makes it a staple of British bathroom cabinets.