40 days and 40 Nights of Beauty Cult Classics
Day 19, Nivea Cream by Patti aka Cavewoman
How is it that a cute, tiny blue tin of cream, costing about 69cents at our local Marc's discount store, could come to achieve cult status and be compared to one of the most exclusive, expensive face creams ever created?
Last Summer, I discovered these little Nivea tins at our local Marc's. I was looking for some travel size products to toss into my swap packages and I was buying these tins a dozen at a time. I bought them because they were cute and small. I had no idea what I was buying, but during that Summer, I probably bought four dozen of these Niveas. Never did keep one for myself.
And then I started reading the raves and noticing the buzz that was comparing this Nivea cream to the legendary Creme De La Mer. I've tried that, and didn't like it. I never did get the hang of the "warm it between the fingers" technique. It has the consistency of paste to me, and maybe my fingers are too cold, but it never did liquefy for me. I didn't like the thick, heavy feeling on my face, either. I've given away every sample jar of Creme De La Mer that I have ever gotten. I wanted to try the Nivea.
But there's a little catch to this Nivea following. You have to get the one made in Germany! Evidently there is no problem finding the Nivea made in Mexico, there are plastic jars of this version at Walgreens, but that's not the version that has caused all the clamoring, custom-purchasing, swapping, overseas sourcing, paypal-ing, and raving.
The German version is the one that is compared to Creme De La Mer. All those little tins at Marc's that I purchased were German. Now they're all from Mexico. I did a little research, and here's what I've found.
The Mexican version contains petrolatum, and two antimicrobial/antifungal ingredients that are not present in the German version. Paula Begoin ("Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me") says that these two ingredients can possibly cause sensitivity and irritation. In Canada, these two ingredients have been banned unless they are used in the most minute amounts in products. They are methylchloriosothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone. I would imagine that petrolatum would be a problem, too, maybe not for Tyra Banks (who uses Vaseline on her face, or so she says) but I don't know too many people who want to use petrolatum as a face cream.
After all this research, I was given two little German Nivea tins by a very sweet friend on the MakeupAlley. I could not wait to try. My face has suffered greatly from the bitter cold Winter we are having in Ohio. Even my Fresh Creme Ancienne wasn't helping. Besides that, it appears to have turned into a rock inside its jar, and short of hitting it with the blow dryer, there is no liquefying for that product. My Fresh was a very expensive mistake purchase. I opened the Nivea tin and smoothed some on my poor, parched face.
Within seconds, the cream liquefied on my skin, it smoothed on with such comfort and ease that I dipped back in the tin and rubbed some onto my hands and cuticles. There was no need to warm the cream between the fingers. No special techniques of application are required! Dip and smooth! That's it! The scent is fresh and subtle, and reminds me of Bobbi Brown Extra Tinted Moisturizing Balm. This cream absorbs quickly and does not leave the skin sticky. Creme De La Mer always felt like it was sitting on top of my skin and suffocating it. The German Nivea just felt comfy. The tight, dry, Winter skin on my face felt nourished and eased. My hands felt soft and smooth, my raggedy cuticles disappeared, and my hands looked as if I'd had a salon manicure!
Look for the German version of the Nivea Creme in obscure little ethnic shops in your area. My buddy tells me that there's a store near her that carries the cream in larger tins, too. Or beg your friends in Europe to send one to you.
99% of the time, when an inexpensive drugstore product is compared to some high-end jar of fabulosity from Saks or Bergdorf, I'm skeptical. The stretch is just too far to believe it could be true. But Cult Status defies price, packaging, retail venue, and brand name. It's all about performance. Find yourself a source for the German version of Nivea Creme, you won't break the wallet, and you'll have a solid performer and a cute little cult tin of your very own.
What do you think?
Do you think this deserves to be in the cult classics list? Let us know in the comments.
Credit: Patti aka Cavewoman
Graphic: Melanie Parker
Disclosure: This product was purchased by Cavewoman at Marcs Grocery store.
Labels: 40 Days and 40 Nights of Cult Classics, Cavewoman Reviews, Nivea, Product Purchase
posted by Annieytown @ 8:28 AM
49 Inspired Comments
49 Inspired Comments:
I've never used it on my face, but will try it now! It is so good for dry winter scaley skin on legs, arms and decolletage. When I'm sunburnt in summer I love how it sinks in and starts hydrating straight away. I love the tins and they are so easy to pack when travelling, plus it's such a cheapie.
I work in a drugstore and it is hell on our hand. We use these little tins for ourselves. I've always thought the little blue tin was waaaay too thick, but I looooove the white one. Hmmm, maybe I'll go hunting for some German Nivea.
My parents, who are more old-school, also swear by this cream and I grew up with it. It is indeed an amazing moisturizer and works on everything! Eczema even is taken care of with this cream. And yeah, it's cheap!
Does that mean that the ones sold in Canada are okay to use on your face?
Anon: I have no idea.
Check the bottom of the tin to see where it is made.
absolutely agree, I love it, especially in the winter. And the creme de la mer samples left be decidedly uninspired. I think I only know the European version, never bought in the US. In Germany recently I saw a 500g tin of it! Any 500-year-anniversaries aside, is there a need for a full lb. of face cream?!
Nivea cream is definitely a staple here in Europe, its smell brings me back to childhood when my Mom would use it as an all-purpose balm. Some people even used it as tanning lotion! (this was before the wiser days of SPF). I don't use it on my face, but it's great as a moisturizer for any dry skin, I've even used it as a lip balm (applying a thick layer on lips at night).
I adore this creme. It saves me when I am on a budget.
http://www.smallflower.com/nivea/nivea-creme-250-ml-cream.html
This a link to buy a huge jar of the creme online!
My parents have also used this for years, especially my dad!
But wait, what are the ingredients in the German stuff? No petrolatum, for real? Can you give a full list?
Oh yes! I live in Portugal and those tins have been a lip balm/hand balm/body cream and (my absolute favourite) after sun cream for as long as can I remember. During summer I leave the tin in the fridge for a few minutes before using the cream. It's so refreshing!
Hi to All--Patti, I think I have a reliable source for the German-made Nivea Creme. Check out www.germandeli.com, a site I have used in the past to buy bath products from Germany. They have the tins, with all ingredients listed. Good luck and keep up the fun reviews! Regards, linnymac
Tania, here is the list of ingredients from the back of my teeny tin:
Water, mineral oil, microcrystalline wax, glycerin, lanolin alcohol, paraffin, ceresin, magnesium sulfate, decyl oleate, octyldodecanol, aluminum stearates, panthenol, citric acid, magnesium stearate, fragrance.
I am so glad to see all the Nivea love here!
whoo-hoo, I will ask MIL to bring me some. My skin gets drier as the years go on.
Thanks, Patti!
Amazingly, my ultradry skin sent me to the derm, who prescribed a serious greasy cream called Cetraben for me. It's just a medical looking white grease in a pump, mostly paraffin, no fragrance. I used it on my face recently and it whomped the Lauder stuff I thought was my HG.
Paraffin! Screw shea butter. Who knew?
Nivea cream holds sentimental value for me. My mom says that after she delivered me, the hospital staff rubbed it all over me after bath times. She said I would come back to her smelling so clean. Sweet memories of Nivea.
This is why I LOVE your blog! What a great article! I'm going to try mixing my Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer foundations with this cream now instead of the overpriced La Mer (an amazing combo though..)
FYI re Canada availability question, all I've been able to find is the Mexican product in the usual stores (drug stores, grocery, etc). Did not think of small european/ethnic stores so maybe worth checking here too!
love your blog!
Interesting!
I went on the German Nivea website (Nivea is originally German) and found the list of ingredients:
Inhaltsstoffe:
Aqua, Paraffinum liquidum, Paraffin, Parfum, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Stearate, Cera Microcristallina, Decyl Oleate, Aluminum Stearate, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Linalool, Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit®), Limonene, Geraniol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal
The German version contains paraffinum liquidum, which isn't much better than petroleum jelly (petrolatum): it's still mineral oil.
This is the list of ingredients in Nivea UK (not from the official website so maybe incomplete or erroneous): Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit), Paraffin, Magnesium Sulfate, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminium Stearates, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Parfum.
The only difference between the UK and German versions are these ingredients: Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal
I don't actually own a tin of Nivea Creme so can't double-check. I couldn't find any mention of those preservatives. The fact that it contains mineral oil is enough for me not to want to use it on my face.
German products are sold in 'ethnic' stores in the US? LOL!
No, German products definitely don't count as "ethnic," except in the sense that you might be able to find them in stores that specialize in German or other European products.
Bela, the origin of the product has no bearing on whether or not its sold in the 'ethnic' aisle or in 'ethnic' markets. Just like Spam which is an American product popular in Asia. There are a lot of old-style products including cologne waters and splashes for example that are popular in the varius ethnic stores that I frequent.
In a large shopping centre by me that serves a wide variety of customers, those large Nivea tins sell well. I've always seen them and maybe I'll pick one of them up this weekend. They sell them in enormous tins, dozens upon dozens in a box. I always wondered why I never saw them at mainstream drugstores.
In common parlance, at least in Europe, the word 'ethnic', when applied to goods, usually refers to Third World products. In no way can a German product be called 'ethnic'. Ethnic is not synonymous with 'foreign'; I'm surprised that it seems to be in America.
my goodness - i can't get over the smell of Nivea because it makes me think of my grandmother. she's beautiful, but i don't want to smell like her. ;)
Oh good grief.
The list of ingredients I posted come directly from the back of the tin made in Germany. The list of ingredients you found on the website are incorrect. Check the list that I wrote in reply to Tania.
I am stunned at the posts about my use of the term "ethnic" with regards to little stores here in some small neighborhoods, stores that sell imported products that are not usually sold in the big chain mainstream drugstores and grocery stores.
Carry on, if it continues to amuse you to do so. It does not matter to me what you put on your face. This is a review of a certain product and the results and thoughts of my own personal testing of that product. I mentioned that the German version did not have the preservative ingredients. That is why you do not see them listed in the German version.
The word "ethnic" has a different "common parlance" in the USA. It definitely refers to more than just goods from "third world" countries.
I can't believe I'm even answering this post.
Annie, if this offends you or your readers, please feel free to remove.
Ethnic means foreign. End of story. Look it up.
Anywho, I've never tried this, but I'm going to Paris in six days (!!) so I'll have to pick up a tub or two! Thanks for posting about this =)
i recently blogged about the nivea creme, too! i love this creme and can't live w/out it. and i agree about the creme de la mer similarities. http://chezbeaute.blogspot.com/2008/02/cheap-thrills.html
Dear All,
I'm from Canada. If you are as well, LONDON DRUGS sells the German-made version of this cream in very, very large 400 ml tins. The cream is fantastic, though, like all skin care products, it's not a holy grail for everyone. Good luck.
Cheers.
For those who don't know me and are thinking of patronizing me too: I am a linguist and words are my thing.
'Ethnic' is most definitely not synonymous with 'foreign'. The definition is,'Characteristic of another culture, especially a peasant culture, e.g, "the ethnic look", etc.' The operative words are 'another culture'. German culture is Western, like the rest of Europe and America and therefore cannot be called 'ethnic'. Yesterday, I asked a British friend whether she would call a German product 'ethnic'. She burst out laughing and said, 'Don't be silly!' So, Patti and Anonymous, if you ever visit the UK or any other European country, I suggest you do not use the word 'ethnic' when referring to German or European goods. People will laugh at you if you do.
I have in front of me a small tin of Nivea Creme (they were 65p in Superdrug so I thought what the hell). The ingredients listed are:
Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit), Paraffin, Panthenol, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminium Stearates, Citric Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Stearate, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol.
i.e. exactly the same as the German version as stated on their website. I cannot tell whether the website is wrong or not.
You must be kidding.
I said the stores were ethnic, not the product.
Not all ethnic cultures are "peasant" cultures.
If you want to continue to push this issue, take it off of Annie's blog.
You're being rude.
And I don't need, or want, your advice on how to behave when traveling.
I reviewed MY tin of Nivea, listed the ingredients as they are written on the back of the tin, which also shows "made in Germany."
Now just stop your picking. Go slap somewhere else. This is not your forum, and you are being disrespectful to the owner of this blog.
My apologies to Annie and her readers for the persistent disruption by this unpleasant person.
Hold on...isn't it way more offensive to use the world ethnic in relation to "peasant countries"?
Guess you didn't get your linguistics degree in the United States...because that use of the word would be considered RACIST here.
Can someone help me? The ingredient list on my nivea creme is: lanolin alcohol (eucerit), paraffin oil, microcrystalline wax, panthenol.
The list seems to be much shorter than the ones posted here. Is that good or bad news?
Do not apologize for me, Patti. And do not try to shut me up: you've done that too many times on MUA. It's Annie's blog and she can delete anything she doesn't like. I don't mind if she does at all.
I am being rude? Do you mean, like someone who says, 'Oh good grief' after someone else has written something? Or who says, 'It does not matter to me what you put on your face.'?
You need to take responsibility for what you write, not fly off the handle if someone queries your use of language.
FYI, Monique R, the definition I gave of the word 'ethnic' is from a dictionary; I did not make it up.
I'm not sure what dictionary self-proclaimed linguists in Europe use...but the Oxford English Dictionary says:
ethnic
• adjective 1 relating to a group of people having a common national or cultural tradition. 2 referring to origin by birth rather than by present nationality: ethnic Albanians. 3 relating to a non-Western cultural tradition: ethnic music.
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/ethnic?view=uk
Therefore, Patti was using the word correctly.
And your comments ARE racist (and probably should be deleted) because not all non-western countries are peasant countries.
Um...moving away from debate thats taken hold of this post. We have several tins of this stuff at home but just hate the smell, it's a shame really because this stuff is really moisturising!
FYI "Third World" is a term no longer used or acceptable.
I did not expect this debate at all, I'm shocked by the haughty nature of your (inaccurate) response. Perhaps its time to buy a new dictionary....
Can we all just lay off the ethnic debate? I think we've established that different words have different meanings in different places. In America, Bella, we do not say 'bullocks,' and in Canada, 'soda' is called 'pop.' Tomato, tomahto, who cares? Someone said ethnic - while you may not agree with HOW it was used, I think that whoever wrote it managed to get their point across. I do not know why you are all having a hissy fit. This is a make up blog, not a United Nations Council. You all need to chill out quite a bit and just agree to disagree. We all know what everyone meant, and for christ's sake, this is about a jar of Nivea Creme.
Furthermore, Third World truly isn't socially acceptable, and I'm much more bothered by your use of it than someone's "incorrect" use of the word 'ethnic.' Instead of being patronizing towards how us intellectually inferior Americans speak, maybe you should learn acceptable 'parlance' in regards to the *underdeveloped* nations of the world.
Good evening, and all of you please cease your petty bickering.
wow, yes, please let us cease this argument. The meanings of and distinctions between concepts of "ethnicity" vs "culture" vs "nationality" vs "race" are hotly debated in many fields of study, not just linguistics. We don't need to resolve the issue here! And let us all please accept that "common parlance" differs between cultures. I cringe every time I see someone use "smelt" as a past tense of "smell" because in my culture "smelt" is a type of fish and is only used that way. But I accept that is is deemed correct in other cultures and so I bite my tongue. FTR, in my city the Georgian bakery or the Polish deli would certainly be called "ethnic", just as much as the Ethiopian grocer or Indian fabric store. Sorry to continue this discussion even further!
I wish I could compare Nivea creme to la Mer based on experience, but as it is, I've only tried Nivea.
But it's honestly the BEST cream I've ever come across. I use it every night and wake up with lovely fresh dewy skin~
I prefer it to Nivea Soft, because it's thicker, and therefore you need to rub it in (making for a nice massage). Nivea Creme has kept me happy in:
~N. America
~Europe
~The Middle East
All these different climates but the excellent results have remained constant :)
wow i never thought reading a beauty blog would turn into a linguistics debate o_o
anyway, i just bought a tin of the stuff and i even asked the lady if it was the german one and she said it was. it isn't :( it has methylchloroisothiazolinanone and methylisothiazalinone in it!!! and it leaves a greasy film on your skin :( huge thumbs down
31 years ago while pregnant with me, Nivea creme was the only thing my mom used to rub on her belly to prevent from stretch marks. Looking at her now- she has none. All thanks to good old Nivea(made in Germany)
I cannot wait for my tin to arrive from Germany! Dry, extra cold winter has got my skin down. Oh yeah, whew! The flaming on here is unreal. I was going to comment, but don't want to stir anything up! Happy creaming!
I found my tin in a small, local beauty supply store in nyc. After one application, my eczema ridden, scaley cheeks are supple. I have high hopes for the product.
On the topic of "ethnicity"....
It's funny because my particular tin of "Made in Germany" Nivea, actually was meant for distribution in a country in the Middle East. I wish I knew what language was written on the back to clarify, but I don't. Anyway, by all the definitions of the word "ethnic" used in the previous comments, this product would have been sold in an "ethnic" store. Also, if it were sold in a nationwide chain store, it would be considered an "ethnic" product because it's target market is well, considered ethnic.
Btw, while I read the post and the comments, I didn't sense any nasty connotations with usage of "ethnic store" or "ethnic product"......until the the British laughed. I guess as I'm not of "Western Europe/Canadian/American" descent, I am worthy of your laughter. Thank you.
Hi everyone!
I use nivea as a moisturising facial mask. Mix a table spoon of nivea (the thick one) with a few drops of lemon juice and apply to your face, leave for about 10-15 minutes and then gently wipe it off with a soft paper tissue, make sure to let a paper tissue absorb most of it. You can actually try and mix nivea with honey+lemon, or apply a thick layer of it without mixing with anything else. It is great as a facial mask.
Considering linguistic tone of the blog, I apologise for my English, it is my second language. Just wanted to share my nivea experience with you guys. :)
So, before I list the ingredients on my blue tin of Nivea made in Beiersdorf, Hamburg, lets just agree that we are all offended by dry facial skin and the desperation which prompts us to shell out $145.00 for La Mer.
Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit), Paraffin, Panthenol, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Stearates, Citric Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol.
I bought mine at Merz Apothocary in Chicago, the same store whose website is smallflower.com. It does not get as thin a La Mer when warmed with fingers and it is not as readily absorbed into skin as La Mer is, but I can see it working with oil free makeup base and maybe a quick brushover of loose powder. As with La Mer, for those of us paying for years under the sun, air conditioning dryness or brutal winters. Hope this helps.
Hy all, i'm from Croatia, neighbor country with Germany. These are original ingredients for Nivea Creme made in Beiersdorf, Germany:
Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit), Paraffin, Panthenol, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Stearates, Citric Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol.
I am alergic to most of face products, but Nivea never failed me :))
When you see the words manufactured in Mexico, I believe its the container that is made in Mexico, not the Nivea cream.
I got a very generous sample of the Creme de La Mer Cream and I would like to point out that it has mineral oil in it as well! I just can't understand how someone can put BABY OIL in a cream and sell it for $300!
It feels super thick on my face, but we shall see. I just ordered the Sea Algae Ferment (the "Miracle Broth") from SkinActives.com and I'm very excited to be able to make my own CdlM without mineral oil! Woot!
I've used this creme for years on my face as a base before applying my liquid makeup. I've yet to experience any skin problems only a smoother skin. I live in Germany and to this date, this is the best moisturizing creme I've ever had on my face. And very inexpensive. A small blue tin's only $1.30. I'm truly a loyal fan of this creme.
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