Pharmacist Dr. Paul Carl Beiersdorf is credited with the discovery of the original Nivea cream formula, though the brand's evolution involved several key players.
The Nivea Story: From Laboratory to Global Brand
The Nivea story begins in 1882 when Dr. Paul Carl Beiersdorf founded the Beiersdorf company. However, the Nivea cream itself emerged a bit later. In 1890, Dr. Oscar Troplowitz, who acquired the Beiersdorf laboratory, collaborated with dermatologist Professor Paul Gerson Unna. Their joint effort resulted in the creation of the first water-in-oil emulsion, forming the foundation of the now-iconic Nivea cream. This revolutionary formula was a significant breakthrough in skincare at the time. While Dr. Beiersdorf laid the groundwork with the establishment of the company, Dr. Troplowitz's partnership with Professor Unna and subsequent development directly led to the discovery and launch of the Nivea product.
- 1882: Dr. Paul Carl Beiersdorf founds the Beiersdorf company.
- 1890: Dr. Oscar Troplowitz acquires the Beiersdorf laboratory.
- 1890s: Dr. Troplowitz and Professor Unna develop the first water-in-oil emulsion – the basis of Nivea cream.
Therefore, while the company's inception is linked to Dr. Beiersdorf, the discovery of the specific Nivea formula is attributed to the collaborative work of Dr. Troplowitz and Professor Unna.
