Noxell Corporation
Encyclopedia
Noxell Corporation was a Maryland-based company that made the famous Noxzema skin cream. Procter & Gamble acquired the brand in 1989.
Noxzema
and CoverGirl were the most famous products made by Noxell. Since 1914, Noxzema has been sold in a small blue jar. Noxzema contains camphor
, menthol
, and eucalyptus
, among other ingredients. Originally developed as a sunburn
remedy, it is popular among women as a facial cleanser and cosmetics
remover. It can also be used for cleaning chapped, sunburned, or otherwise irritated skin. Since the introduction of Noxzema, the brand name has appeared on shaving cream
, razors, and skin-cleansing cloths.
The brand's name is pronounced "nock-ZEE-mə".
, Maryland
. The formula was called "Townsend R22" and referred to commonly as "no-eczema
". Townsend prescribed it as a remedy to early resort vacationers burned by the sun
. In order to help people outside of the resort town Townsend later gave the formula to Dr. George Bunting who for many years denied the transaction (graduate of Washington College
in Maryland). Bunting introduced "Dr. Bunting's Sunburn Remedy" as the first real alternative to the greasy, tallow
-based medicating creams common during the period. For the first three years, Bunting did all the mixing, heating, and pouring of the product himself.
The inspiration for the name Noxzema supposedly came from a satisfied customer who exclaimed, "You knocked my eczema."
Demand for the product grew as the years progressed. An early slogan was “the miracle cream of Baltimore”. During 1920 the first Noxzema Chemical Company factory was opened in a tiny house in Baltimore. The product achieved national popularity by the 1940s through the use of radio and print advertising.
During the 1950s, Noxzema diversified into other personal care products such as shaving cream, suntan lotion and cold cream. In the late 1950s it originated the CoverGirl
line of cosmetics, notable for using Noxzema's medicated ingredients. The company changed its name to Noxell Corporation in 1966. Its television commercials for Noxzema Shave Cream by the William Esty Advertising Agency caused a sensation when model Gunilla Knutson
asked men to "take it off, take it all off" (referring to facial hair). Its headquarters were housed eventually in the Baltimore suburb of Hunt Valley, Maryland
; the facility is still in use to this day as the cosmetics division of Procter & Gamble. This plant produces products for the CoverGirl
, Max Factor and Olay brands, but Noxzema branded products are no longer produced there.
Until the ($1.4 billion) merger with Procter & Gamble, Noxell remained owned by the Bunting family; Bunting's son, G. Lloyd Bunting, Sr., assumed the management of the company, followed during 1973 by George L. Bunting, Jr., Dr. Bunting's grandson. The Bunting family remains active in philanthropic
interests in the Baltimore area.
Noxell Corporation Archives, Hunt Valley, Maryland
Noxzema
Noxzema
Noxzema is a skin cleanser marketed by Alberto-Culver. Alberto-Culver bought the rights to the brand in 2008 from Procter & Gamble and now owns and operates the line of skin-care products...
and CoverGirl were the most famous products made by Noxell. Since 1914, Noxzema has been sold in a small blue jar. Noxzema contains camphor
Camphor
Camphor is a waxy, white or transparent solid with a strong, aromatic odor. It is a terpenoid with the chemical formula C10H16O. It is found in wood of the camphor laurel , a large evergreen tree found in Asia and also of Dryobalanops aromatica, a giant of the Bornean forests...
, menthol
Menthol
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is -menthol, which is assigned...
, and eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
, among other ingredients. Originally developed as a sunburn
Sunburn
A sunburn is a burn to living tissue, such as skin, which is produced by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and other animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV...
remedy, it is popular among women as a facial cleanser and cosmetics
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
remover. It can also be used for cleaning chapped, sunburned, or otherwise irritated skin. Since the introduction of Noxzema, the brand name has appeared on shaving cream
Shaving cream
Shaving cream is a substance that is applied to the face or wherever else hair grows, to provide lubrication and avoid razor burn during shaving. Shaving cream is often bought in a spray can, but can also be purchased in tubs or tubes. Shaving cream in a can is commonly dispensed as a foam or a gel...
, razors, and skin-cleansing cloths.
The brand's name is pronounced "nock-ZEE-mə".
History
Noxzema was invented by Dr. Francis J. Townsend, a doctor who lived in Ocean CityOcean City, Maryland
Ocean City, sometimes known as OC, or OCMD, is an Atlantic Ocean resort town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. Ocean City is widely known in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is a frequent destination for vacationers in that area...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. The formula was called "Townsend R22" and referred to commonly as "no-eczema
Eczema
Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the epidermis . In England, an estimated 5.7 million or about one in every nine people have been diagnosed with the disease by a clinician at some point in their lives.The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions...
". Townsend prescribed it as a remedy to early resort vacationers burned by the sun
Sunburn
A sunburn is a burn to living tissue, such as skin, which is produced by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and other animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV...
. In order to help people outside of the resort town Townsend later gave the formula to Dr. George Bunting who for many years denied the transaction (graduate of Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
in Maryland). Bunting introduced "Dr. Bunting's Sunburn Remedy" as the first real alternative to the greasy, tallow
Tallow
Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat, processed from suet. It is solid at room temperature. Unlike suet, tallow can be stored for extended periods without the need for refrigeration to prevent decomposition, provided it is kept in an airtight container to prevent oxidation.In industry,...
-based medicating creams common during the period. For the first three years, Bunting did all the mixing, heating, and pouring of the product himself.
The inspiration for the name Noxzema supposedly came from a satisfied customer who exclaimed, "You knocked my eczema."
Demand for the product grew as the years progressed. An early slogan was “the miracle cream of Baltimore”. During 1920 the first Noxzema Chemical Company factory was opened in a tiny house in Baltimore. The product achieved national popularity by the 1940s through the use of radio and print advertising.
During the 1950s, Noxzema diversified into other personal care products such as shaving cream, suntan lotion and cold cream. In the late 1950s it originated the CoverGirl
CoverGirl (brand)
COVERGIRL is an American cosmetics brand founded in 1960 in Maryland, by the Noxzema Chemical Company and acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1989. The Noxell Company advertised this cosmetics line by allowing "cover girls", fashion models who appear on the front cover of women's magazines, to wear...
line of cosmetics, notable for using Noxzema's medicated ingredients. The company changed its name to Noxell Corporation in 1966. Its television commercials for Noxzema Shave Cream by the William Esty Advertising Agency caused a sensation when model Gunilla Knutson
Gunilla Knutson
Gunilla Knutsson is a Swedish model, actress and author. She was named Miss Sweden during 1961 and was a semi-finalist in the Miss Universe pageant during that same year....
asked men to "take it off, take it all off" (referring to facial hair). Its headquarters were housed eventually in the Baltimore suburb of Hunt Valley, Maryland
Hunt Valley, Maryland
Hunt Valley is an affluent unincorporated community in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It lies just north of the city of Baltimore, along Highway 145 off Interstate 83. Loch Raven Reservoir...
; the facility is still in use to this day as the cosmetics division of Procter & Gamble. This plant produces products for the CoverGirl
CoverGirl (brand)
COVERGIRL is an American cosmetics brand founded in 1960 in Maryland, by the Noxzema Chemical Company and acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1989. The Noxell Company advertised this cosmetics line by allowing "cover girls", fashion models who appear on the front cover of women's magazines, to wear...
, Max Factor and Olay brands, but Noxzema branded products are no longer produced there.
Until the ($1.4 billion) merger with Procter & Gamble, Noxell remained owned by the Bunting family; Bunting's son, G. Lloyd Bunting, Sr., assumed the management of the company, followed during 1973 by George L. Bunting, Jr., Dr. Bunting's grandson. The Bunting family remains active in philanthropic
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
interests in the Baltimore area.
External links
Noxell Corporation Archives, Hunt Valley, Maryland