IN DECEMBER 2011, Nivea will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Over the last century, Nivea has remained a leading brand in skin-care and is a firm favourite with men, women and children all over the world.

Nivea was born when an entrepreneur, a chemist and a dermatologist all joined forces with a single goal in mind; to create a high quality skin care product that everyone could afford. In 1911 Dr. Oscar Troplowitz recognised the potential in an emulsifier developed by chemist Dr. Isaac Lifschütz, called Eucerit. Eucerit made it possible to bind water and oil to create a stable cream. However, it was dermatologist Prof. Paul Gerson Unna who recognised that this concoction would provide the perfect basis for a cosmetic skin cream. Now all that was needed was a name. The milky white appearance of the cream was all the inspiration needed; Nivea is Latin for 'snow white'.

It didn't take long for Nivea to grow. The German company behind Nivea, Beiersdorf, had enjoyed great success previous to Nivea with innovative products such as medical plasters and adhesive tape. Much of their business with Nivea came from abroad with them dealing with 34 countries in 1914, and from 1939 Nivea found its way to China, and eventually Denmark. Nivea was unstoppable.

Nivea is a great success globally for one main reason; its ability to change with the times. In Nivea's earliest years it aimed to appeal to the ideal woman; a 'femme fragile' who was vulnerable and needed protection. And what better protection than a beauty miracle in a pot? In the 'roaring twenties' it corresponded with the new love of sports and leisure by creating inflated rubber replicas of Nivea tubes of cream for people to play with at the seaside. Through the fifties it celebrated a joy and lust for life along with the nation, and its adverts and posters reflected this. Since then it has responded and moulded itself to always fit in with the ever changing times, and works with many different people living very different lifestyles.

As is only natural, Nivea has received a few make-overs to help it keep up with the times. Nivea started life in a charming yellow tin which was decorated with the ornamental shapes of Art Nouveau that was so popular at the time. In 1924 Nivea took on a completely new look; the yellow became blue and the intricate swirls were removed. The image has been refreshed every few years, but for a long time it has been the blue and white tub that so many know and love.

As we are aware, Nivea did not stop at moisturising body creams. From the first soap in 1919 to hair care products, shaving creams and sun lotions, Nivea has truly developed well into a universal product. Over the years and in its many forms, Nivea has graced the skin of everybody, from the ordinary everyday people to pop-stars such as Rihanna, who is now the face of Nivea as they celebrate 100 years. Also, the Duchess of Cambridge Catherine Middleton is known to be a lover of Nivea, after she was seen buying a tub in a Boots store in Chelsea. Well, if it's good enough for royalty it's good enough for us, and will be for another 100 years.