From The Archives: The Original NIVEA Creme (Made in Germany)

Blue tin of original Nivea Creme moisturizer. Perfect for winter. Dry skin solution.
Nivea = snow white

Oh, hey! This was originally posted in July of 2014. But… since we are currently snowed in and I just picked up a brand-new tub of NIVEA, I decided to update the photos and bump it up from the archives. Enjoy!

With more than 100 years under the blue belt, there is nothing more iconic in the beauty industry than the NIVEA Creme signature tin. Loved or hated for its simplicity and basic ingredients, this snow white, thick and smooth cream with its powdery milky scent is known and sought after worldwide. Sadly, the formulas vary in quite a few countries, based on prevailing local regulations.

Creamy original Nivea moisturizer for dry skin during the winter.

How I’m familiar with NIVEA…

Having grown up in Northwest Poland, only a 10-minute drive from the German border, NIVEA Creme has been a staple in our house ever since I can remember. Originating in Hamburg, Germany, it was the first water-in-oil blend created by the Polish born pharmacist Oscar Troplowitz back in 1900. Being ‘old school’ and all, I always hunt down the original “Made in Germany” tub (or two) when I travel home.

Texture of the original Nivea Creme moisturizer.

Wait, not all NIVEA creams are the same???

There is definitely a noticeable difference in formulations of the American made NIVEA Creme and that manufactured in other countries. Having used them all, I refuse to use anything but the original. Fluffier in texture and with a lighter scent, the German made NIVEA liquifies and absorbs more quickly leaving a soft sheen that soaks in beautifully. The US version spreads poorly and stays greasy on my skin.

Tin packaging of the original Nivea Creme.
This one comes from a pharmacy at the Berlin airport…

What’s in the NIVEA Creme?

NIVEA’s water and mineral oil base also contains water binding glycerin, panthenol (aka healing Vitamin B5) and ultra moisturizing lanolin (no sheep were harm in the making of this creme). Ignore any “Made in Mexico,” “Made in Thailand,” or the USA versions. Amazon can be sketchy but try an ethnic grocery store if you have one nearby (google German food stores or delis close by) that carry international products – the preservative-free German one is the way to go. In a pinch, I’ve even used it on my face.

and this one was purchased at a local German/Dutch food store… same ingredients = authentic

Surprisingly good

Whether you’re experiencing chapped hands or chapped lips–or whether your skin needs some after-sun soothing, a tin of NIVEA Creme is an absolute must-have. Some places carry the baby size blue tins which are super portable and travel-friendly. The jumbo ones make a great addition to our night table (especially during winter months).

Check out the various size options of this German original on smallflower.com.

NIVEA comes in a variety of sizes, too!

10 Comments

  1. Qwerty
    July 30, 2016 / 1:15 am

    The nivea creme i bought says that “Manufactured in hamburg, germany” but when i searched the formula of german version, there are some ingredients that are not included in my nivea creme. Neither the formula of american version that i searched is not presented on my nivea creme.

  2. Ebere
    January 9, 2018 / 4:03 pm

    Original is it made from which place

    • Garima makhija
      October 25, 2018 / 1:21 pm

      Hamburg, Germany

  3. Jana
    April 21, 2018 / 1:01 am

    Mine says Made In Poland, lol. I’m obsessed with this creme.

    • omgbart
      Author
      April 21, 2018 / 5:18 am

      Made in Poland – just like me! I do think there may be a slight difference when it comes to ingredients but hey, if you love it… It’s all good!

  4. Vivian
    August 17, 2019 / 4:50 pm

    Mine says made in Poland too and beneath it’s also says Beiersdorf AG. Kindly helo me identify if it’s fake or not

    • omgbart
      Author
      August 18, 2019 / 10:07 am

      It’s not fake. I just believe that the ingredients are *slightly* different than the Made in Germany original.

  5. yasmin
    September 16, 2019 / 10:03 am

    i was buying it and it made from thailand….it is same with from another place or not…because i worry…my face will become bad after use that

    • omgbart
      Author
      September 16, 2019 / 6:00 pm

      I don’t think it will be bad for your skin but it’s simply not the *original* formula that comes from Germany.

  6. Hari Kuang
    November 19, 2020 / 4:02 pm

    I wish I had read this before I purchased the Creme. 😂
    We have both German produced Nivea Creme (online official stores) and Thai ones (supermarket & local stores) in Indonesia.
    The prices are very similar.
    There are probably 10 ingredients missing in the Thai one. 😢
    I’m gonna get the German one next time!

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