Our history – Over 100 years – Of innovative medical skin science

For more than a century Beiersdorf, the company behind Eucerin, has been associated with groundbreaking innovation in skin care formulas. From the beginning, research and product development at Eucerin has been inseparable from dermatological research.

The brand’s origins are in a pharmacy, that of Paul C. Beiersdorf in Hamburg.

In 1882 Paul C. Beiersdorf applied for a patent for a new type of medical dressing and in so doing founded the Beiersdorf Company. Eight years later, he sold the business to fellow pharmacist Oscar Troplowitz who began to manufacture products under the Beiersdorf brand name. Close cooperation with pioneering dermatologist Paul Gerson Unna meant that these products were inspired by and based on the very latest research of skin.

This combination of research and development runs through our history, right up to the present day.

It means that every one of our products is both scientifically relevant and proven for tolerability and efficacy, providing you with reliable solutions for different kinds of skin issues and problems.

Eucerit
In the year 1900, young chemist Isaac Lifschütz filed a patent for an emulsifying agent, which he named Eucerit - inspired by the old Greek word for “the beautiful wax”. Dr. Lifschütz´s development of Eucerit can be seen as a medical revolution of its time. Eucerit was the technological base to develop for the first time stable water-in-oil emulsions. It also formed the basis of all Beiersdorf products at that time. Prof. Unna was particularly impressed with the properties of the resulting ointment:

"Eucerin Ointment is agreeable for the pharmacist due to its stable and smooth consistency, it is easily prescribed by the doctor and it creates a good feeling for the patient due to its smoothness and cooling effect."

 

pH5 Eucerin Ointment
It was not until 1950 that the next Eucerin product appeared: pH5 Eucerin Ointment. The product was created for the purpose of working in an alkaline milieu, a real innovation in those days since it was the first product that guaranteed preservation and restoration of the acid protection skin layer, which is highly relevant even today.

Eucerin pH5 Lotion and Cream
The first Eucerin product range suitable for use on all skin areas, especially suitable for use on sensitive skin. By offering this range at that time Eucerin established a holistic medical skin care program to sustain and protect skin´s health. Designed specifically for sensitive skin, it is still recommended today by doctors worldwide for a range of skin issues due to its tolerability and skin protective efficacy.

1991 - Eucerin Sun Care
The first Eucerin products which are clinically proven to actively strengthen the skin against sun allergies. Their two-phase prophylaxis system is a major breakthrough in sun care, both strengthening skin's protective barriers against UVA stress and reducing inflammatory skin responses.

1992 - Laceran
In this year, a range of urea-based products was launched under the LACERAN brand name, specifically for the treatment of very dry skin conditions. Urea exists in all body fluids and tissues, and is an important part of skin's natural moisturising factor. In many dry skin conditions, natural Urea levels are reduced, leading to further moisture loss. By replenishing this active ingredient, Laceran effectively relieves itching and skin dryness.

1994 - Laceran Omega
An extension of products containing Omega-6 fatty acids, specially developed for the adjunctive care of Atopic Dermatitis. These natural fatty acids strengthen skin’s protective barrier and reduce moisture loss, which in turn soothes and nourishes rough and dry skin.

Read more about the idea behind Eucerin OMEGA and its development.

1995 - Eucerin pH5 Shower Oil
A true innovation: Eucerin Shower Oil prevents the skin from drying out, while cleansing it with extra mild surfactants.

1996 - Eucerin Hydro Balance and Lipo-Balance
By launching Eucerin Hydro Balance and Lipo-Balance, Eucerin took the first step to offer a dermocosmetically relevant solution for extremely sensitive facial skin.

1998 - Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Cream

The first Eucerin product to feature Coenzyme Q10, and offer a solution for sensitive, ageing skin. This naturally occurring substance stimulates energy production in cells. Q10 products from Eucerin help to improve the regeneration of sensitive skin, and reduce the depth of fine lines and wrinkles.

Read more about the idea behind Eucerin Q10 ACTIVE and its development.

1999 - Eucerin Re-balance
The first Eucerin product range to contain active ingredient Fucogel, strengthening resistance against external irritants, and perceptibly calming hypersensitive skin.

1999 - Eucerin Blemished Skin
Recognising that acne-prone skin is not just a problem for teenagers, Eucerin launched a range of products specifically for the needs of adults suffering from acne-prone skin. It works by targeting the problem where it originates – in the follicle – while at the same time making sure skin does not dry out.

With such properties, Eucerin products are ideal for the care of blemished skin while undergoing drug treatments.

Read more about the idea behind Eucerin DermoPURIFYER and its development.

2000 - Eucerin Vital
The Eucerin Vital range was developed specifically for the needs of mature skin, which loses elasticity especially after menopause. Highly potent Retinol was used as the key active for this range.

2004 - Eucerin Modelliance
The first Eucerin anti-age product to “remodel” and firm facial contours. Its formula with the combination of Ginkgo Extract and Ursolic Acid stimulates skin's own production of collagen and reduces wrinkles.

2005 - Eucerin Anti-Pigment Fluid
The first Eucerin product to reduce the appearance of spots and skin hyperpigmentations through the action of Dioic Acid, which influences skin's melanin production.

2005 - Eucerin Anti-Redness
The first Eucerin product range to reduce the appearance of redness. It features Licochalcone A, which soothes skin, and green concealing pigments, which neutralise redness. This was one of the first ranges of dermo cosmetic products clinically proven to provide immediate and long-term relief to skin prone to redness, diffuse flushing and visible capillaries.

2006 - Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler

This revolutionary range was inspired by dermatological Hyaluron Acid injections to fight wrinkles and is one of the most successful anti-ageing ranges in pharmacies.

The products plump up wrinkles thanks to a combination of the active ingredient Hyaluronic Acid, which intensively moisturises skin to smooth the surface texture and reduce lines and wrinkles, and Saponin, which stimulates the skin’s own hyaluron-synthesis.

2008 Eucerin DermoDENSIFYER
The first Eucerin product to redensify and renew the look of ageing skin - without chemical peeling. The formula combines Apiaceae-Peptides and naturally derived Arctiin to reinforce skin's structure and support collagen production, while giving it a more youthful, radiant appearance.

2010 Eucerin AQUAporin ACTIVE
Inspired by a Nobel Prize discovery, this was the first Eucerin product range to support skin's natural moisture network by creating new Aquaporins. These protein-based channels, located in cell membranes, control water transfer in and out of the cells. Key ingredient Gluco-glycerol is biologically identical to the molecules that stimulate skin's Aquaporins and works to restore the natural flow of moisture towards its surface. This is a breakthrough in deep moisturisation.

Eucerin Complete Repair
After Laceran products were integrated into the Eucerin brand back in 1996 and following almost 20 years of success with urea-based lotions and creams,
It was time for a step-change in formulation technology: the integration of the Aquaporin technology into dry skin body lotions.

This new - and Eucerin’s most advanced - skin care for dry skin provides a complete solution for the relief of problems associated with severely dry skin. It fights not only the symptoms, but also the three main causal factors: a deficiency of moisture-binding substances (NMF), a lack of barrier lipids (Ceramides) and a weakness of the skin’s own moisture network (Aquaporins).

Eucerin DermoCapillaire
Based on the discovery that most of hair problems have their origin in a micro-inflammation of the scalp, Eucerin researchers developed a range of treatment regimens for the most common scalp and hair problems. Thanks to the key ingredient Licochalcone A, micro-inflammation of the scalp is relieved and – in combination with complementary, specific actives - the scalp is restored to a healthy-looking condition.

Eucerin Even Brighter
A new generation of cosmetic skin brighteners, highly effective against hyperpigmentation.
Based on their deep understanding of the molecular biological processes that underlie pigmentation disorders of the skin, Beiersdorf researchers discovered that B-Resorcinol is able to reduce the production of melanin at its source, resulting in a more balanced pigmentation.

Eucerin Skin Institute
The first Eucerin Skin Institute opens in Hamburg providing an opportunity to get closer to Eucerin's medical skin care expertise. It offers skin analysis, personal consultation and a range of treatments. For this, Eucerin has developed a very own Skin Code Reader which can determine an individual's unique skin code and then use it to develop highly tailored care and treatment plans.

Eucerin Volume-Filler
As they get older, consumers realize that wrinkles are not their predominant ageing issue any more. It’s more about sagging skin and loosing facial contours.

For such consumers, Eucerin Researchers have developed the Volume-Filler range of products. Three active ingredients target specific layers of the skin to restore volume and redefine facial contours.

Eucerin AtopiControl
Since the launch of Laceran Omega back in 1994, Omega-6 fatty acids have been proven to be effective for the basic care of atopic skin.

With the discovery of the anti-inflammatory action of Licochalcone A and the anti-bacterial efficacy of Decandiol there was the opportunity to develop a range of products which fulfill the needs of dermatologists and pediatricians: providing effective skin care solutions in all phases of Atopic Dermatitis.

Today, we are recognized as one of the world’s most trustworthy skin care brands. Our commitment to advanced research and superior product quality is as strong as ever. Our starting point and focus is always on skin, and through a greater understanding of its structure and functions we are looking forward to a future of discovering new actives and ever more effective solutions.