Sebamed is a
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
brand name
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's good or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create a ...
of Sebapharma GmbH & Co. KG, which manufactures medicinal
skin care
Skin care is a range of practices that support skin integrity, enhance its appearance, and relieve skin conditions. They can include nutrition, avoidance of excessive sun exposure, and appropriate use of emollients. Practices that enhance appea ...
products.
History
Sebamed was established by Heinz Maurer (1921–2016) in 1957. Since 1971, the Sebamed products are exported to over 70 countries. The headquarters of Sebapharma located in
Boppard
Boppard (), formerly also spelled Boppart, is a town and municipality (since the 1976 inclusion of 9 neighbouring villages, ''Ortsbezirken'') in the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis (district) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, lying in the Rhine Gorge, a UNES ...
town district Salzig.
Before Sebamed, Dr. Maurer worked in the dermatological department of the University Clinic Bonn in Germany and was in charge of patients with acute eczema. Patients under Maurer's care were forbidden to wash with soap because soap destroys therapeutic efforts of doctors treating
eczema
Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can v ...
. Maurer and his ward physician ended up carrying out an unauthorized experiment to wash his patients without using any soap but instead using an acid tenside. The results showed that the acid tensides dissolved all the ointments and crusting of eczema and left affected skin free of irritation, kept the areas dry, and also made the skin receptive to further treatment.
Dr. Maurer's clinic management was unhappy with the unauthorized experiment. Ultimately, Dr. Maurer left the University of Dermatological Clinic and continued his work in the Paediatric Clinic in
Bonn
The federal city of Bonn ( lat, Bonna) is a city on the banks of the Rhine in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a population of over 300,000. About south-southeast of Cologne, Bonn is in the southernmost part of the Rhine-Ru ...
. He continued with his vision of a soap-free cleansing product and carried out scientific trials with acid tensides. Dr. Maurer founded his own company in 1967, with the introduction of the first soap-free cleansing bar into the German market. He originally named the brand SEBUMED but due to a clerical error in the patent office, it was named SEBAMED. Dr. Maurer decided to keep that name. Heinz Maurer was awarded in 2010, the
Order of Merit of Rhineland-Palatinate
The Order of Merit of Rhineland-Palatinate (german: Verdienstorden des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz) is a civil order of merit, of the German State of Rhineland-Palatinate. The order is presented for outstanding service to the state and people of Rhinela ...
for his business, societal and cultural level. In 2012, Sebapharma had about 200 employees. He was awarded the University Medal "Bene merenti" the
University of Regensburg
The University of Regensburg (german: link=no, Universität Regensburg) is a public research university located in the medieval city of Regensburg, Bavaria, a city that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university was founded on ...
. Dr. Heinz Maurer died on April 22, 2016. In November 1991, the town of Boppard appointed him an honorary citizen and 1992, he received the Order of Merit. In 2002, he was awarded at the World Congress of Dermatology in
Paris
Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. ...
for his life's work.
Sebamed products have been included in over 150 scientific studies to support the brand's formulations and are recognized by
dermatologists
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin.''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.'' Random House, Inc. 2001. Page 537. . It is a speciality with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist is a specialist medical ...
,
pharmacists
A pharmacist, also known as a chemist (Commonwealth English) or a druggist (North American and, archaically, Commonwealth English), is a healthcare professional who prepares, controls and distributes medicines and provides advice and instructi ...
,
drugstores
A pharmacy (also called "drugstore" in American English or "community pharmacy" or "chemist" in Commonwealth English, or rarely, apothecary) is a retail shop which provides pharmaceutical drugs, among other products. At the pharmacy, a pharmaci ...
and consumers throughout the world. Since 1971, Sebamed products are now distributed in more than 80 countries. Sebamed's corporate philosophy is "Science for healthy skin." In April 2009, Sebamed won a trademark lawsuit in
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
against a local businessman, prohibiting the use of the name Seba.
Sebamed product ranges
Sebamed product ranges include Classic, Clear Face, Baby Sebamed, Anti-Aging, Anti-Dry, Sun Care and Visio and have a pH level of 5.5.
Human skin has a natural hydro lipid barrier, known as an
acid mantle The acid mantle is a very fine, slightly acidic film on the surface of human skin acting as a barrier to bacteria, viruses and other potential contaminants that might penetrate the skin. Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous gland and when mixed with ...
, which works to retain moisture and lipids while simultaneously blocking germs, toxins, bacteria and other outside factors. The acid mantle has a pH of 5.5. Problematic skin conditions, such as
eczema
Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can v ...
,
psoriasis
Psoriasis is a long-lasting, noncontagious autoimmune disease characterized by raised areas of abnormal skin. These areas are red, pink, or purple, dry, itchy, and scaly. Psoriasis varies in severity from small, localized patches to complet ...
,
dermatitis
Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can ...
, and
rosacea
Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that typically affects the face. It results in redness, pimples, swelling, and small and superficial dilated blood vessels. Often, the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin are most involved. A red, enlarg ...
, have impaired barrier functions and can have a
pH different than 5.5. The acid mantle serves as a natural skin barrier and protects the skin from dehydration and environmental damage. The pH of the acid mantle is 5.5, and traditional soap, which has a pH greater than 9, can strip this protective barrier.
Dr.Maurer first discovered that eczema patients are intolerant to soap-based products because they have an impaired
acid mantle The acid mantle is a very fine, slightly acidic film on the surface of human skin acting as a barrier to bacteria, viruses and other potential contaminants that might penetrate the skin. Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous gland and when mixed with ...
. At the time of his discovery, eczema patients were told to have bathing prohibitions or not to wash frequently. By pioneering the first soap-free cleansing bar,
Maurer showed that eczema patients can wash regularly without affecting the acid mantle. All Sebamed products have a pH of 5.5 to maintain the skin's natural barrier.
References
{{Reflist
Chemical companies of Germany
Companies based in Rhineland-Palatinate
Manufacturing companies established in 1957
German brands
Soap brands
1957 establishments in West Germany