Who Owns Noxzema?
Noxzema is owned by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods corporation. Founded in 1914 by George Avery Bunting, Noxzema was acquired by Alberto-Culver in 2008 from Procter & Gamble and became part of Unilever when Unilever acquired Alberto-Culver in 2010.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
2010
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Ocean City, Maryland, USA
Who Owns Noxzema?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2010
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Noxzema | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Noxzema
- Founded: 1914
- Founders: George Avery Bunting
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 2010
Noxzema was founded in 1914 by George Avery Bunting, a druggist who acquired the original formula from Dr. Francis J. Townsend. The original formula was invented by Dr. Townsend, a physician and druggist who practiced in various Maryland locations including Snow Hill, Berlin, and Ocean City between 1900 and 1920.
Dr. Townsend's formula was called "Townsend R22" and was commonly referred to as "no-eczema." He prescribed it primarily to beach resort vacationers who were severely burned by ultraviolet sun rays. Townsend later gave the formula to George A. Bunting, who began producing and selling "Dr. Bunting's Sunburn Remedy" around 1917.
For the first three years, George A. Bunting and Elizabeth Buck mixed, heated, and poured the product themselves. The name was changed to Noxzema, supposedly because a satisfied customer exclaimed, "Sure knocked my eczema!" An early slogan was "The miracle cream of Baltimore."
The product was marketed as an alternative to the greasy, tallow-based medicating creams available during the period. Noxzema quickly gained popularity for its ability to deliver a signature invigorating tingle while removing impurities, oil, and makeup.
In 2008, Alberto-Culver bought the rights to the brand from Procter & Gamble and operated the line of skin-care products until Unilever's acquisition of Alberto-Culver in 2010. Under Unilever ownership, Noxzema has continued to evolve while maintaining its heritage as a medicated skincare brand.
About Unilever plc
What does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing (Dove, Vaseline, TRESemme, Pond's), Personal Care (Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lux, Lifebuoy, Close Up), Home Care (Domestos, Cif, Surf, Omo, Comfort), and Nutrition (Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Marmite). Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever no longer owns Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, or Breyers. The company also owns approximately 61% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, a publicly listed subsidiary in India.
Is Unilever publicly traded?
Yes, Unilever plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker ULVR and on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker UNA. American Depositary Receipts are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker UL. The company does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Who founded Unilever?
Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of Lever Brothers, a British soap company founded by William Hesketh Lever in 1885, and Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer formed through the merger of the Jurgens and Van den Bergh companies in 1927. The founders of the predecessor companies include William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Antonius Johannes Jurgens, and Samuel van den Bergh.
Where is Unilever headquartered?
Unilever is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in London. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom and ending the separate Unilever N.V. Dutch entity. The company's shares continue to trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.
How many brands does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. The company's largest brands by revenue include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lipton, Vaseline, Domestos, and Cif. Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever's portfolio no longer includes ice cream brands such as Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, and Breyers.
Who owns Unilever?
Unilever plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Unilever. Fernando Fernandez serves as CEO, having been appointed in March 2025 following the departure of Hein Schumacher. The company's board includes a majority of independent non-executive directors.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ULVR
Where Is Noxzema Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Ocean City, Maryland, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Global Unilever facilities
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- Dove - Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare produc...
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- Lifebuoy - Heritage health and hygiene soap brand owned by Unilever, created in 1894 as a c...
- Lipton - Global tea brand primarily owned by Lipton Teas and Infusions (CVC Capital Partn...
- Lux - Global beauty soap and body wash brand owned by Unilever, known as the world's f...
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- PG Tips - British tea brand owned by Unilever, known for its pyramid tea bags and advertis...
- Pond's - Global skincare brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1846 as a patent medicine an...
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Noxzema Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Over 110 years of skincare expertise backed by Unilever's extensive R&D investment
- +Iconic brand recognition and heritage medicated formula
- +Strong global distribution through Unilever's established retail channels
- +Affordable pricing compared to premium skincare brands
- +Trusted reputation for deep cleansing and skin soothing properties
Considerations
- -Competition from modern skincare brands with advanced formulations
- -Need to adapt to changing consumer preferences for natural and organic ingredients
- -Dependency on Unilever's supply chain and corporate policies
- -Environmental impact of packaging and chemical formulations
- -Balance between medicated heritage and modern skincare trends
Frequently Asked Questions About Noxzema
Where to Buy
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Noxzema on AmazonCompetitors to Noxzema
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1983 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Clorox | USA | 1984 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Nexus Capital Management | USA | 2011 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Walmart | USA | 1986 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1937 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1956 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors
Always
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American feminine hygiene brand known for its menstrual pads, panty liners, and feminine care products.
Burt's Bees
Owned by The Clorox Company
American personal care brand specializing in natural and organic skincare, lip care, and personal grooming products made with beeswax and natural ingredients.
Dollar Shave Club
Owned by Nexus Capital Management
American direct-to-consumer razor and grooming brand known for its subscription model and viral marketing.
Equate
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's flagship health and beauty private label brand with 75% U.S. household penetration, ranking as the second most popular store brand in America, offering over-the-counter medications and personal care products at affordable prices.
Old Spice
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American men's grooming brand known for its deodorants, antiperspirants, body washes, and distinctive nautical-themed marketing campaigns.
Secret
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American women's deodorant and antiperspirant brand known for its pH-balanced formulations and marketing focused on women's confidence and strength.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Noxzema competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Unilever plc Stock Information
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