The iconic blue jar of Nivea cream: nostalgia, science or pure hype?

You know it. That signature scent that instantly transports you back to your childhood, grandma's bathroom, or that beach vacation in the '90s. The blue jar of Nivea cream has been a staple in Dutch homes for generations, and for good reason. But is this classic truly that good? And what's actually in it? Time to take a closer look at this iconic product.

From German laboratory to global classic

The story begins in 1911 in Hamburg, where pharmacist Dr. Oscar Troplowitz made a revolutionary discovery. Dr. Isaac Lifschütz had just developed a completely new emulsifier: Eucerit. This substance, for the first time, could stably combine water and oil into a fine cream. This was quite remarkable, as no one had achieved this before.

When the emulsion was ready, it was snow-white. The name Nivea is derived from the Latin "nix, nivis" and literally means "the snow-white one." Poetic, right?

That blue tin? It dates back to 1925 and replaced a yellow box with green Art Nouveau lettering. The packaging has barely changed since then, and that's perhaps the ultimate proof that some things are simply perfect just the way they are.

What's actually in it?

Because let's be honest: Nivea's ingredients list isn't exactly "clean beauty." The cream primarily contains ingredients with moisturizing and soothing properties, such as liquid paraffin, mineral oils, and lanolin. The formula also contains glycerin and panthenol (provitamin B5).

But is that a bad thing? Opinions differ widely on this point. According to Nivea itself, the current formula contains no mineral oils, silicones, alcohol, or microplastics. The formula has, however, been modified over the years.

What's striking is that the classic Nivea cream doesn't contain any preservatives and doesn't need them. The rich water-in-oil formula naturally limits the growth of microorganisms. Quite impressive for a product that's been around for over 100 years.

The great La Mer debate

You've probably heard it before: Nivea is supposedly almost the same as La Mer, that cream you easily pay over €100 for. Regimen Lab compared both products in their lab, and the results were quite shocking. The basic ingredients are largely the same.

They tested the moisture-retention capacity of both products, and the results were identical. The main difference? La Mer contains fermented seaweed extract. Whether that justifies the enormous price difference is up to you to decide.

Does it actually work?

The reason the blue Nivea cream scores so well in tests lies in one specific word: occlusion. Many modern creams are water-based, which absorbs quickly but also evaporates quickly. The blue Nivea is a water-in-oil emulsion. Think of it as a warm, protective blanket you drape over your skin.

In 2023, more than 3.6 million jars of Nivea's blue cream were sold in France alone, which is about 414 jars per hour. Worldwide, six jars are sold every second. Impressive :)

Celebrity fans and grandmas alike

It's a good list: actress Joanna Page stated that she steers clear of expensive skincare and relies on this affordable classic. Rumor has it that Dame Joan Collins and Kate Winslet also swear by it.

But perhaps the best conviction comes from our own grandmothers. For decades, they used nothing else for everything. Sometimes, Grandma was simply right.

The critical note

Honesty is the best policy, so also this: the cream contains perfume, which can be irritating for sensitive skin. According to some experts, the use of mineral oils makes Nivea cream less suitable as a lip balm, as the cream can be swallowed. For the rest of your body, it shouldn't be a problem.

Also good to know: some fans claim that the German or European version of Nivea Crème is better, slightly thicker, than the American version. So if you really want to go all-in, look for the "made in Germany" version.

What can you use it all for?

The list is actually endless: as a day cream, night cream, hand cream, foot cream, for dry elbows and knees, as a lip balm (although not everyone recommends it), to keep eyebrows in shape, for the care of tattoos, as a cold cream in winter, to grease shoes, to care for hair ends... You name it.

💡 Tip: I often forget to apply sunscreen in the evening. So I keep the smallest Nivea jar on my nightstand and almost every night I apply some to my face, and at least a little under my eyes.

The judgment

Is the blue jar of Nivea cream a miracle cure? No. Is it an honest, affordable product that's been delivering on its promises for generations? Absolutely. With a current overload of expensive serums, complicated routines, and fads that come and go, there's something reassuring about a classic tin that simply works. Nice and simple.

Sometimes simple is best. Grandma's just right.