Who owns NIVEA cream and NIVEA lotion?

NIVEA Creme and NIVEA lotions are NIVEA products, so they are part of Beiersdorf AG. NIVEA is ultimately owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, the holding company of the Herz family, according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026.

Who owns NIVEA in the UK, India, Canada, Australia, and other countries?

NIVEA is part of Beiersdorf AG internationally, including in the United Kingdom, India, Canada, Australia, and other markets. The worldwide ultimate owner is maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, although local Beiersdorf subsidiaries may operate sales, marketing, or manufacturing activities.

Who owns NIVEA and Eucerin?

NIVEA and Eucerin are both brands in the Beiersdorf portfolio. Beiersdorf AG is ultimately controlled by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, the Herz family holding company.

Is NIVEA cruelty free?

NIVEA states that it has a position against animal testing and that cosmetics available in the European Union are free from animal testing under European Union rules. NIVEA also offers vegan products, but not every NIVEA product is automatically vegan because vegan status depends on the individual formula.

Is NIVEA Creme non-comedogenic?

NIVEA Creme should not be treated as automatically non-comedogenic. NIVEA Creme is a rich, general-purpose moisturising cream, and people with oily or acne-prone skin should check the specific ingredient list and consider a facial product formulated for their skin type.

Is NIVEA Soft good for your face?

NIVEA Soft may be used as a face moisturiser where the product label permits facial use, but suitability depends on individual skin type and sensitivity. People prone to irritation or breakouts should review the ingredients and test the product on a small area before applying it broadly.

Is NIVEA body wash good for sensitive skin?

NIVEA body wash suitability depends on the particular formula and the user’s skin sensitivity. Consumers with sensitive or eczema-prone skin should check the ingredient list, avoid products that cause irritation, and follow medical advice for diagnosed skin conditions.

Is NIVEA sunscreen made by the same owner as NIVEA cosmetics?

Yes. NIVEA sunscreen and NIVEA skin-care cosmetics belong to the same NIVEA brand within Beiersdorf AG. NIVEA is ultimately owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA.

Who owns NIVEA?

NIVEA

Ultimate ownerGermanymaxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA

Brand origin: Germany
Main production: Several countries, incl. Germany

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Ownership chain

BrandNIVEAGermany
Beiersdorf AG
Ultimate ownermaxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaAGermany

About NIVEA

What is NIVEA?

NIVEA is a German personal-care brand focused on skin and body care. NIVEA is part of Beiersdorf AG, a skin-care company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. The product range includes face care, body care, hand care, sun protection, deodorants, bath and shower products, men’s grooming products, and lip care. NIVEA products are sold in more than 160 countries, and the range had grown to more than 500 products by 2026. Beiersdorf describes NIVEA as a market leader in the skin-care segment in more than 95 countries. NIVEA’s official website is nivea.com.

Who owns NIVEA?

NIVEA is ultimately owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. The ownership chain is NIVEA, then Beiersdorf AG, then maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA. Beiersdorf AG owns and operates NIVEA as part of its skin-care portfolio. Maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA is the holding company of the Herz family and holds a majority stake of slightly more than 53 percent in Beiersdorf. This makes NIVEA ultimately family-owned through its controlling parent. NIVEA products and regional businesses can have local operating companies, but the worldwide brand ownership belongs within the Beiersdorf group.

Where does NIVEA come from?

NIVEA originated in Hamburg, Germany, and its modern history began with the launch of NIVEA Creme in December 1911. Paul C. Beiersdorf founded the original company in Hamburg in 1882. Oscar Troplowitz bought the company from Beiersdorf in 1890 for 70,000 marks. The company that first made NIVEA Creme was Beiersdorf & Co., the Hamburg company acquired by Troplowitz. Troplowitz worked with chemist Dr. Isaac Lifschütz and dermatologist Professor Paul Gerson Unna to develop the cream. Their work produced the first stable oil-and-water-based cream suitable for mass production. The name NIVEA comes from the Latin words “nix” and “nivis,” meaning snow. The NIVEA name was registered as a trademark on 9 November 1905 and was used from 1906 for Beiersdorf’s superfatted base soap. NIVEA Creme was launched in December 1911. Within three years, NIVEA Creme was available on every continent. By 1914, production took place not only in Hamburg, but also in Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Moscow, New York, Paris, and Sydney. In 1925, NIVEA introduced the characteristic blue-and-white cream tin. After the First World War, NIVEA became Beiersdorf’s most successful brand through international expansion and new product launches during the 1920s and 1930s. After the Second World War, NIVEA trademarks in many countries were seized as enemy property and sold to different companies. Beiersdorf repurchased the NIVEA trademark rights in the Netherlands in 1952. Beiersdorf repurchased rights in Argentina, Switzerland, and Brazil in 1958. Beiersdorf repurchased the rights in the United States in 1973. Beiersdorf completed the worldwide reacquisition of the NIVEA trademarks in 1997 by repurchasing the rights for Poland.

What products does NIVEA make?

NIVEA makes skin-care and personal-care products for the face, body, hands, lips, hair, and scalp. NIVEA Creme is the original product and remains the foundation of the range. NIVEA introduced its first body lotion in Germany in 1963. NIVEA launched its first sun cream with a sun-protection factor in 1975. NIVEA entered men’s cosmetics in 1980 with its first post-shave balm. NIVEA later introduced products such as NIVEA Soft, NIVEA Q10 face care, NIVEA deodorants, NIVEA shower products, NIVEA body lotions, NIVEA sunscreen, NIVEA lip care, and NIVEA MEN grooming products. The Q10 face-care range began in 1998 with an anti-wrinkle cream. Product names, formulas, packaging, and availability can differ between countries. NIVEA’s range had grown to more than 500 products by 2026.

Is NIVEA made in the USA?

NIVEA is not made exclusively in the United States because NIVEA products are manufactured through Beiersdorf’s international production network. NIVEA Creme was produced in Hamburg and, by 1914, was also produced in Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Moscow, New York, Paris, and Sydney. Beiersdorf later expanded its manufacturing capacity across multiple countries. The country of manufacture depends on the specific NIVEA product and market, so the packaging is the appropriate source for identifying where an individual item was made. NIVEA’s United States trademark rights were repurchased by Beiersdorf in 1973, but trademark ownership does not mean that every NIVEA product sold in the United States is manufactured in the United States.

Why is American NIVEA different?

American NIVEA can differ from NIVEA sold in other countries because product formulas, names, packaging, ingredients, and regulatory requirements vary by market. NIVEA operates internationally, and Beiersdorf develops products for different skin types and climate conditions, including through laboratories serving regions such as Asia and Latin America. A product sold in the United States must follow United States requirements, while products sold in the European Union follow European Union cosmetic rules. These differences can affect the ingredient list, fragrance, texture, product claims, and available product variants. The NIVEA name belongs to the same Beiersdorf group worldwide, but a product with the same or similar name is not necessarily identical in every country.

How ethical is NIVEA?

NIVEA states that it has a clear position against animal testing and offers vegan skin-care products that are free from animal-derived ingredients. NIVEA also states that cosmetic testing on animals has been banned in the European Union since 2004, with the ban covering cosmetic ingredients since 2013. Vegan status applies to particular products, not automatically to the entire NIVEA range. Consumers should check the product packaging or local product information for the relevant claim. NIVEA’s parent company, Beiersdorf, also states that it aims to source plant-based ingredients in harmony with nature and protect ecosystems with high biodiversity. Ethical assessment can therefore differ depending on whether the issue is animal testing, vegan ingredients, sourcing, packaging, environmental impact, or labor practices.

Is NIVEA high quality?

NIVEA is a long-established skin-care brand with more than a century of product development behind NIVEA Creme. Beiersdorf describes NIVEA as one of the world’s largest skin-care brands and as a market leader in the skin-care segment in more than 95 countries. The original NIVEA Creme was designed as a stable oil-and-water-based cream suitable for mass production. Quality depends on the particular product, formula, ingredients, manufacturing location, and the user’s skin. NIVEA products are not all designed for the same purpose, and a product suitable for body care may not be suitable for every facial or sensitive-skin use. The ingredient list and directions for the specific product provide the most relevant information.

Is NIVEA Creme good for your face?

NIVEA Creme can be used on the face, but whether it suits a particular face depends on skin type, sensitivity, and the product’s ingredients. NIVEA Creme was originally developed as a general skin-care cream, and NIVEA also makes products specifically formulated for facial care. NIVEA Creme has a rich texture, so some people may find it more suitable for dry areas than for oily or blemish-prone skin. NIVEA Creme is not automatically non-comedogenic, and the product should not be assumed to suit acne-prone skin. People with sensitive skin should check the ingredient list and test a small area before wider use. NIVEA makes separate facial ranges, including NIVEA Q10, for purposes that differ from the original Creme.

Is NIVEA lotion good for body care, eczema, sunburn, or tattoos?

NIVEA lotion is designed for moisturising body skin, but suitability depends on the formula and the user’s skin condition. NIVEA body lotions are not interchangeable with medical treatment for eczema, and people with eczema should follow advice from a qualified health professional. NIVEA lotion is also not a treatment for sunburn, which can require appropriate cooling, hydration, and medical attention when severe. For a fresh tattoo, aftercare instructions from the tattoo professional and a healthcare professional take priority over general body-lotion advice. NIVEA products differ in fragrance, texture, and ingredients, so the exact product label matters. NIVEA Creme may provide occlusive moisturisation for dry skin, but a rich cream can feel heavy on some skin types.

Frequently asked questions about NIVEA

Who owns NIVEA cream and NIVEA lotion?: NIVEA Creme and NIVEA lotions are NIVEA products, so they are part of Beiersdorf AG. NIVEA is ultimately owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, the holding company of the Herz family, according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026.
Who owns NIVEA in the UK, India, Canada, Australia, and other countries?: NIVEA is part of Beiersdorf AG internationally, including in the United Kingdom, India, Canada, Australia, and other markets. The worldwide ultimate owner is maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, although local Beiersdorf subsidiaries may operate sales, marketing, or manufacturing activities.
Who owns NIVEA and Eucerin?: NIVEA and Eucerin are both brands in the Beiersdorf portfolio. Beiersdorf AG is ultimately controlled by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, the Herz family holding company.
Is NIVEA cruelty free?: NIVEA states that it has a position against animal testing and that cosmetics available in the European Union are free from animal testing under European Union rules. NIVEA also offers vegan products, but not every NIVEA product is automatically vegan because vegan status depends on the individual formula.
Is NIVEA Creme non-comedogenic?: NIVEA Creme should not be treated as automatically non-comedogenic. NIVEA Creme is a rich, general-purpose moisturising cream, and people with oily or acne-prone skin should check the specific ingredient list and consider a facial product formulated for their skin type.
Is NIVEA Soft good for your face?: NIVEA Soft may be used as a face moisturiser where the product label permits facial use, but suitability depends on individual skin type and sensitivity. People prone to irritation or breakouts should review the ingredients and test the product on a small area before applying it broadly.
Is NIVEA body wash good for sensitive skin?: NIVEA body wash suitability depends on the particular formula and the user’s skin sensitivity. Consumers with sensitive or eczema-prone skin should check the ingredient list, avoid products that cause irritation, and follow medical advice for diagnosed skin conditions.
Is NIVEA sunscreen made by the same owner as NIVEA cosmetics?: Yes. NIVEA sunscreen and NIVEA skin-care cosmetics belong to the same NIVEA brand within Beiersdorf AG. NIVEA is ultimately owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA.

Sources: beiersdorf.com: milestones, nivea.co.uk, beiersdorf.com: nivea, beiersdorf.com: nivea, beiersdorf.com: international development, beiersdorf.com: Beiersdorf 5 NIVEA 115721 1.docx, beiersdorf.com: company, beiersdorf.de, shmh.de, beiersdorf.com: Beiersdorf chronicle 02 english.pdf, nivea-me.com, de.beiersdorf.ch, beiersdorf.com: founding history, en.wikipedia.org: Nivea, de.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org: Beiersdorf, encyclopedia.com, beiersdorf.com: Beiersdorf chronicle 07 en pdf.pdf

Sources: beiersdorf.com, maxingvest.de

Ownership data is compiled from public sources and verified where possible. Spotted an error? Suggest a correction below.

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