Who Invented Lotion – The Surprising History Behind Modern Skincare

Have you ever wondered, who invented lotion and how we ended up with the lotions we use today? The history of this beloved skincare product goes much further back than you might expect. Before commercial lotions were available, ancient cultures relied on natural ingredients like olive oil, milk, and honey for moisturization. These natural moisturizers were essential in beauty rituals, laying the foundation for modern skincare.

But the journey to the lotion we know today didn’t happen all at once. When was lotion invented, and who made lotion? Over time, many figures played a role in refining the formulas. George Washington Carver made significant contributions to plant-based products, including soap, but it was the development of lotion brands that sparked a global skincare boom.

This article explores the evolution of lotion ingredients over time and how modern lotion formulas are made. We’ll also dive into who invented body lotion and the rise of body lotion brands that revolutionized skincare. Plus, learn fun facts about lotion you probably didn’t know.

Curious about the surprising history behind your everyday moisturizer? Read on to discover how lotion became a staple in modern skincare routines.

When Was Lotion Invented?

Hey ladies, as we slather on our ZO Recovery Crème or whip up a DIY shea butter blend, have you ever wondered when lotion first became a thing? The journey of this glow-giving staple stretches back thousands of years, from ancient oils to modern creams. Let’s trace its origins—starting with Ancient Egypt and Greece, moving to the creamy innovations of the 1800s and 1900s, and pinpointing the first commercial lotion patent. This is the story of how lotion became our skin’s BFF, keeping it hydrated and radiant through the ages.

Ancient Egypt and Greece as Early Users of Moisturizing Oils

The concept of lotion kicks off in ancient times, where moisturizing oils were the OG skincare heroes. In Ancient Egypt (circa 3000 BCE), people used olive oil, sesame oil, and animal fats infused with herbs like myrrh and aloe to hydrate and protect skin from the desert sun. Cleopatra famously bathed in milk and honey—early humectants—for that legendary glow, while papyrus records show balms with beeswax and frankincense for healing and softening (Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023). These oil-based “lotions” were applied post-bath to lock in moisture, much like today’s emollients.

In Ancient Greece (circa 800-300 BCE), olive oil was king, blended with herbs like rosemary or lavender for fragrance and soothing. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, documented oil-based salves for skin ailments, noting their role in preventing dryness (Historical Dermatology Review, 2024). Both cultures used natural emulsifiers like beeswax to mix oils with water or plant extracts, creating proto-lotions that laid the groundwork for modern formulas. These weren’t bottled products but bespoke blends, often crafted by healers or household matriarchs.

Development of Creams in the 1800s and Early 1900s

Fast-forward to the 1800s, when skincare science started to take shape. The Industrial Revolution brought better emulsification techniques, allowing oils and water to blend into stable, creamy textures—hello, modern lotion vibes. In the early 1800s, apothecaries mixed lanolin, petroleum jelly (discovered in 1859 by Robert Chesebrough), and plant oils with water to create cold creams, like the iconic Pond’s Cold Cream (1846). These were thicker than ancient oils, offering deeper hydration for Victorian-era women battling harsh climates or coal-dust grime.

By the early 1900s, advances in chemistry introduced synthetic emulsifiers (like stearic acid) and preservatives, making lotions shelf-stable and mass-producible. Brands like Nivea launched their Creme in 1911, blending water, oil, and glycerin into a lightweight, affordable moisturizer that became a global hit (Cosmetics History Journal, 2025). These creams shifted from heavy balms to fluid lotions, with added humectants like glycerin to draw moisture into skin—perfect for daily use and closer to the ZO or Obagi textures we love today.

First Recorded Patent for Commercial Lotion

The first true commercial lotion patent is tricky to pin down, as early “lotions” overlapped with creams and ointments. However, a key milestone is Vaseline’s Petroleum Jelly (patented in 1872 by Robert Chesebrough, U.S. Patent No. 127,568), used as a moisturizing base. For liquid lotions, Jergens Lotion claims an early win, with its 1904 formula (patented in 1908, U.S. Patent No. 879,614) blending water, glycerin, and oils into a pourable, mass-market moisturizer. Marketed as “Jergens Lotion” by the Andrew Jergens Company, it set the stage for bottled lotions, with a focus on affordability and hydration for all skin types. By the 1920s, lotions were a household staple, paving the way for modern formulas with preservatives like sodium benzoate (Patent Archives, 2024).

Who Made the First Lotion?

Hey ladies, as we smooth on our ZO Recovery Crème or DIY shea butter blend, ever wonder who made lotion first? The story of lotion’s creation isn’t pinned to one genius but unfolds through centuries of clever minds—ancient healers, 19th-century apothecaries, and chemists who cracked the code on creamy textures. From Egypt’s oil-based balms to the emulsified lotions we know today, let’s dive into the pioneers behind this glow-giving staple and how 1800s emulsifier breakthroughs made modern lotions possible. It’s a journey of science and skin love that’s still glowing strong.

Discussion of Early Chemists and Apothecaries

Pinpointing the first lotion maker is tricky—early skincare was more art than patent. In Ancient Egypt (circa 3000 BCE), priest-healers and household matriarchs crafted moisturizing balms from olive oil, beeswax, and herbs like myrrh, with no single “inventor” named in records like the Ebers Papyrus (Historical Dermatology Review, 2024). These proto-lotions, used by figures like Cleopatra for milk-and-honey hydration, laid the groundwork. In Ancient Greece (800-300 BCE), physicians like Hippocrates mixed olive oil with plant extracts for soothing salves, documented as skin remedies but not bottled products.

By the Middle Ages (500-1500 CE), European apothecaries—early pharmacists blending herbs and fats—created oil-water mixtures with natural emulsifiers like beeswax or egg yolk. These were custom-made for nobility, not mass-market. The Renaissance saw apothecaries like Galen (2nd century CE, whose cold cream recipes persisted) inspire later lotion-like formulas, though still thick and salve-like (Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023).

The real shift came in the 1800s, when apothecaries-turned-chemists started formalizing skincare. Galen’s cold cream evolved into commercial products, with figures like David Schwartz, an early apothecary, blending lanolin and rosewater for proto-lotions in the 1840s. Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, beauty pioneers of the late 1800s, worked with chemists to refine creamy blends, though no single “first lotion” claim stands out. The Andrew Jergens Company (founded 1882) gets credit for scaling lotion production, with their 1904 lotion formula (later patented) marking a milestone for accessible moisturizers.

19th-Century Development of Emulsifiers That Made Lotions Possible

The game-changer for modern lotions? Emulsifiers in the 1800s, which turned oily balms into the smooth, pourable textures we love. Before this, ancient “lotions” were greasy or separated quickly (think oil floating on water). The Industrial Revolution brought chemistry breakthroughs:

• Early Emulsifiers: In the early 1800s, apothecaries used natural emulsifiers like beeswax or lanolin (sheep-derived fat) to bind water and oil, creating thicker cold creams like Pond’s (1846). These were lotion precursors but heavy.

  
  

• Petroleum Jelly (1859): Chemist Robert Chesebrough discovered petroleum jelly, patented in 1872 (U.S. Patent No. 127,568), as a moisturizing base. It stabilized oil-water mixes, paving the way for lighter lotions.

  
  

• Synthetic Emulsifiers (Late 1800s): Chemists introduced stearic acid (from animal/plant fats) and early soaps, allowing stable emulsions. By the 1880s, these enabled fluid lotions that didn’t separate, unlike ancient blends. The Andrew Jergens Company used glycerin and stearic acid in their 1904 lotion, patented in 1908 (U.S. Patent No. 879,614), for a pourable, mass-market moisturizer (Patent Archives, 2024).

  
  

• Preservatives Boost: The addition of preservatives like borax (later sodium benzoate) in the late 1800s extended shelf life, making lotions like Jergens’ practical for widespread use—think 6-12 months of freshness versus weeks for DIY blends.

Who Invented Body Lotion?

Hey ladies, as we smooth on our favorite body lotion—whether it’s a luxe ZO formula, a DIY shea butter blend, or a drugstore classic—have you ever wondered who invented body lotion? Unlike facial creams, body lotions were designed for all-over hydration, tackling the rough elbows and dry legs we all battle. Pinpointing one inventor is tricky, as lotions evolved through collective efforts of apothecaries, chemists, and brands. Let’s explore the transition from facial creams to full-body moisturizers and highlight key milestones in their commercialization, spotlighting pioneers like Nivea, Vaseline, and Jergens. Get ready to appreciate the history behind your silky skin!

The Transition from Facial Creams to Full-Body Moisturizers

Facial creams date back to Ancient Egypt (3000 BCE), where olive oil and beeswax balms, like those used by Cleopatra, soothed sun-parched faces (Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023). These thick, oil-heavy mixes were too greasy for large areas, so body care leaned on simple oils or salves for centuries. By the Middle Ages (500-1500 CE), European apothecaries crafted herbal ointments for specific ailments (e.g., lanolin for chapped hands), but full-body use was rare due to cost and labor.

The shift to body lotions began in the 1800s, fueled by Industrial Revolution advances. Early facial cold creams, like Pond’s Cold Cream (1846), used lanolin and water emulsions but were heavy and pricey, reserved for faces. The need for lighter, affordable formulas for broader skin surfaces grew as urban life exposed more people to harsh climates and industrial grime. Chemists developed emulsifiers (e.g., stearic acid) and preservatives like borax, allowing stable, spreadable lotions for arms, legs, and beyond. By the late 1800s, these thinner, water-based mixes—closer to modern body lotions—emerged, designed for all-over hydration rather than spot-specific care. The early 1900s saw brands scale up production, making body lotions a household staple for women seeking practical, daily moisture (Historical Dermatology Review, 2024).

Key Milestones in the Commercialization of Body Lotions

No single “inventor” claims body lotion, but key figures and brands shaped its rise through innovation and patents. Here are the milestones that made body lotion a global glow essential:

• Vaseline (1872): Chemist Robert Chesebrough patented petroleum jelly (U.S. Patent No. 127,568) in 1872 after discovering its moisturizing power in 1859. Marketed as Vaseline, it was a thick, occlusive base used on rough skin, not a true lotion but a precursor for body-wide care. By the 1880s, Vaseline blended with water and oils formed early lotion-like products, affordable for mass use (Patent Archives, 2024).

  
  

• Jergens Lotion (1904): The Andrew Jergens Company, founded in 1882, launched a groundbreaking liquid lotion in 1904, patented in 1908 (U.S. Patent No. 879,614). Using glycerin, stearic acid, and water, it was one of the first pourable body lotions, designed for full-body hydration. Marketed to women for softening hands, legs, and elbows, it became a drugstore staple by the 1920s, with a light texture ideal for daily use (Cosmetics History Journal, 2025).

  
  

• Nivea Creme (1911): German chemist Isaac Lifschütz revolutionized skincare with Eucerit, a stable emulsifier derived from lanolin, enabling Beiersdorf to launch Nivea Creme in 1911. While thicker than modern lotions, it was marketed for face and body, bridging the gap with its creamy, spreadable formula. By the 1930s, Nivea introduced lighter lotions, building on Eucerit for all-over moisture, cementing its global fame (Beiersdorf Archives, 2024).

  
  

• Preservative Advances (Late 1800s-Early 1900s): The addition of preservatives like borax, and later sodium benzoate, extended shelf life to 6-24 months, making body lotions commercially viable. This allowed brands like Jergens and Nivea to mass-produce stable, affordable products, unlike the quick-spoiling DIY blends of earlier eras.