A pharmacist, his wife and one blue active.

Dr Richard Eckstein was a pharmacist. He founded the company with his wife, Linde Eckstein. The parent company still carries her name: Linde Eckstein GmbH + Co. KG.

Dr Eckstein began with the problem, not the product. He looked at what the skin was doing. Then he chose actives that addressed the cause of the reaction. This philosophy has not changed in over 75 years.

Azulene is the deep-blue active distilled from chamomile. It is the ingredient the company is built on. You can see it in the bottle before you feel it on the skin.

It suits skin that reacts. That single choice shaped the range that followed, and it is still in some of the best-known Doctor Eckstein products.

The company has never been sold and remains in the hands of the same family, now in its third generation. This continuity comes at a cost: growth is built on the strength of the business itself, rather than borrowed against the promise of the next trend.

What it offers in return is a long-term perspective. Formulations are not changed to follow seasonal trends or passing fashions. Early in its history, in 1957, the company received a PRIX CIDESCO award — a milestone that reflects its longstanding commitment to skincare.

Research, formulation and manufacture all happen at the company's own site in Oberasbach, Germany. Nothing is outsourced.

Production follows EU Good Manufacturing Practice. The formulations exclude mineral oils, silicone oils and artificial colours.

Morenga Cosmetics (Pty) Ltd is the authorised distributor for South Africa and Namibia. The company is based in Sunninghill, Johannesburg.

The range is available through trained skincare salons and Healthy Skin Solutions, ensuring access to professional guidance and trusted skincare expertise. Find a stockist.