Botox injections, surgical facelifts and exorbitantly priced “anti-wrinkle” creams; some of us will go to inordinate lengths to help our skin look and feel a little younger. But 92 years ago a scientific discovery advanced the quest for youthful skin so significantly, it is still the foundation of skin protection today.
In 1911 Oscar Troplowitz, the owner of German company Beiesdorf, helped to formulate the first water-in-oil emulsifier, Eucerit (lanolin alcohol), and from it developed a long-lasting skin cream. He called it Nivea. Derived from the Latin word “nivius” meaning “snow-white”, Nivea Creme has been around for generations and is one product that definitely does not show its age.
Skin, the largest organ in the human body, benefits greatly from regular moisturising to supplement its natural oils. There’s nothing worse than the feeling of stretched dry skin when you can almost see the wrinkles appearing in the mirror.
Nivea has taken care of my skin for as long as I can remember. From teenage T-zones to dehydrated dotage, Nivea has lived up to its claim that it is “…all the care you need”. The distinctive blue and white tub has sat faithfully on my various dressing tables while other moisturisers have been flirted with and discarded. In the last few months though, I have tested its moisturising properties to the limit and, as with all things taken for granted, it has not let me down.
Packaging and Purchasing
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Go
into any stockist and Nivea Creme is easily located on the shelves of moisturisers or facial skin-care. Other products form a backdrop of predominantly white and pastel-coloured packaging, while the royal blue tubs of Nivea are eye-catching and distinctive. The pot is plain with “Nivea Creme” written in white script on the top and side. By keeping the design simple and largely unchanged over 30 years, Beiesdorf exudes confidence in its product. There is no need for superfluous detail and it is only on turning the tub upside down that you can read the list of ingredients and other information.
I also like the fact that because of the packaging, a man can happily purchase this (and you do have moisturising needs too, don’t you chaps?) without feeling like a big girl's blouse at the checkout.
Four sizes of Nivea Creme are available. The tiny 25ml size is ideal for popping in a handbag or overnight wash-bag, while the larger tubs of 50ml, 100ml and 200ml are more suitable for every day use.
Prices and availability of these sizes vary. Major supermarkets generally stock the 50ml and 200ml sizes only, but the prices are the cheapest around. My 200ml tub cost £3.28 at Tesco. A 50ml pot from the same store would set you back a mere £1.14.
My local pharmacy stocks all sizes of Nivea Creme, but at £1.09 for 25ml and £4.74 for 200ml, it’s pricey.
Boots and Superdrug are somewhere in the middle, both on price and sizes available.
Wherever you purchase your Nivea though, I don’t think you’ll find a corresponding product that is cheaper. Some moisturising lotions may cost a few pence less, but as a thick cream, Nivea offers unbeatable value. E45, Simple, Johnson’s pH5.5 and even Tesco’s own brand, Sensitive Skin Moisturiser, are all more expensive.
Skin Suitability
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Having located Nivea Creme and chosen the appropriate size tub for your needs, you will want to check that it is suitable for your skin type before parting with your cash.
The blurb on the bottom indicates that it is “ideal for daily facial use” as well as “all intensive moisturising needs”. Clearly, an oily skin is not going to benefit much from this, but the cream is suitable for the body as well as the face. The list of ingredients is pretty standard but lanolin alcohol is mentioned, so if you are sensitive to this be careful. There are the usual assurances of dermatological testing.
On the subject of testing, Beiersdorf assures me that neither its product nor its ingredients are tested on animals. In addition, I checked out a couple of animal welfare websites and they both listed Nivea products as cruelty-free.
So, with a clear conscience, you can toddle up to the till, pay for your cream and take it home.
“Eucerit” Usage
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The tubs themselves are made of polypropylene (which is recyclable) and, apart from the littlest one, their lids are fairly deep and therefore easy to grip and unscrew. Personally, I find this type of lid more user friendly than flip-tops.
Once you’ve removed the top, your new pot will reveal another lid made of foil attached securely around the rim of the container. Not only does this keep the cream in place, if it’s torn you’ll know that the pot has been tampered with. A tab on the edge of the foil ensures it’s a doddle to peel off.
The appearance of the cream lives up to its Latin name; it is snow white and actually looks rather like a miniature can of brilliant white emulsion paint. Fortunately, the smell of Nivea Creme bears no similarity to that of paint. In fact it is almost odour-free which is good news if you plan on wearing perfume or after-shave. No confusing fragrance messages!
From Face to Feet
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The best time to apply a moisturiser is immediately after bathing as the slight dampness of the skin encourages absorption.
You may find a little of the product stuck to the underside of the foil lid, so you can always scrape this off with your finger and use it first. Otherwise, dip your fingertip into the cream and remove some. It feels cool to the touch, non-greasy and it doesn’t drip.
A blob about the size of a 5p piece is enough for one side of your face. I find a gentle rotating motion with the fingertips ensures easy application and quick absorption. It is safe to use around the delicate eye area too. And don’t forget your neck – a dry-looking “turkey” neck will give away your age more quickly than your face!
Nivea Creme is absorbed in seconds, leaving virtually no tackiness or greasiness on your skin. It just feels soft, silky and supple and compares very favourably with other products such as E45, Oil of Olay or aqueous cream. If anything, it’s a tad too thick so I don’t use it all over my body, opting for a lotion instead. However it’s perfect for those little problem areas like elbows and knees.
It’s also ideal for pregnant mums to rub on their bumps; the moisturising action may help prevent stretch marks. And lets not forget that stretch marks can affect anyone who gains a bit of weight, so if you’re planning on over-indulging this Christmas, perhaps you’d better invest in a pot of Nivea Creme as well!
I mentioned at the beginning of this review that I’d had reason to really test out this product over the last few months. I’ve had a fair amount of surgery to my feet in the past year and have been left with several scars. However, applying Nivea Creme daily has kept the skin on my feet soft and supple, and has improved the healing and appearance of the scars. In some places they are now virtually invisible. Strappy sandals, Summer 2004…here I come!
For me though, the ultimate test of Nivea’s moisturising properties was after I’d had my feet and legs encased in Plaster-of-Paris for several weeks. If you’ve ever experienced a spell in POP, you’ll remember the hideous sight that’s revealed on its removal. Not only is your poor limb withered and wasted from lack of muscle activity, but weeks of dead skin cells have accumulated and your skin looks like the discarded cast of a reptile.
When I had my POP removed I couldn’t wait to have a long soak in the bath and apply lashings of moisturiser. But would my humble Nivea Creme be enough for such intensive requirements?
The answer was a resounding “Yes”! Admittedly, I needed a jolly big dollop of it, but the effect was fantastic. Within minutes my skin felt silky, moist and supple and was still feeling good a few hours later.
I would certainly recommend Nivea Creme. It’s an excellent moisturiser that is suitable for both adults and children. It’s safe, gentle, inexpensive and endorsed as cruelty-free.
And it’s marvellous for withered legs.
For further information on Nivea products and to follow a video clip of the Nivea story, you can visit the Beiesdorf Nivea website at www.nivea.co.uk There is no customer careline given on the product, but the website has details of the company’s address and telephone number.
Thanks for reading.
by (54%):
07.10.2006 16:25
I absolutely LOVE this cream! Its got sucha lovely texture its addictive.
17.04.2004 10:22
Wow! A Nivea anorak I never thought I would be reading one of these, but you made it both helpful and funny. I use an electric shaver and the pre-electric I put on dries the skin so I use E45 but this sounds as if it might be better. My mum used Nivea so it's been arround a long time. Dave xx
29.01.2004 17:51
very comprehensive well written god whod believe id be rading reviews about moisturisers