The Baltimore Museum of Industry is set to make a silky smooth acquisition.
The BMI announced Monday that it will receive from Unilever a significant collection of historical documents, photos, jars and packaging for Noxzema.
Baltimore pharmacist George A. Bunting created the skincare product in the early 1900s as a remedy for sunburn. Over time, it became used as a general facial cleanser, and to treat eczema, acne and other skin conditions.
Bunting later on expanded his product line beyond the cold cream, making shaving cream and launching Covergirl cosmetics. The company changed its name in 1966 from Noxzema Chemical Company to Noxell, which was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1989.
In 2010, Unilever bought the Noxzema brand from Procter & Gamble for $81 million.
Noxzema products are no longer created in Maryland, but Procter & Gamble continues to use its Hunt Valley location to make Cover Girl, Max Factor and Olay products.
Some of the Noxzema artifacts are on display in the BMI pharmacy exhibit, and the rest are catalogued in the museum archives for historians and researchers to access.
So here’s to Bunting, whose easy, breezy, beautiful innovations brought business to Baltimore.
