Andrew Jergens Company
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Skin and hair care products |
| Founded | January 1, 1882 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Andrew Jergens Sr., Charles H. Geifus |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati , United States |
| Products | Cherry-almond hand lotion, Natural Glow tanning lotion, Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific shampoo |
| Parent | Kao Corporation |
The Andrew Jergens Company—originally known as the Jergens Soap Company—is a United States-based manufacturer specializing in skin and hair care products. Established in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1882, it is presently a subsidiary of the Kao Corporation. The brand is recognized for several iconic items, such as its cherry-almond hand lotion, the Natural Glow tanning lotion, and the 1976 shampoo Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific.
History
The enterprise was founded by Andrew Jergens Sr. alongside Charles H. Geifus in 1882, debuting with a coconut soap product. Their 1901 cherry-almond lotion—now marketed as Jergens Original Scent—rose to become the leading hand lotion in the United States.
By the mid-1920s, the company had established a soap manufacturing facility located at 99 W. Verdugo Avenue in Burbank, California. This factory ceased operations in October 1992 when production was centralized back to Cincinnati to reduce expenses.
In 1970, ownership shifted from the founding family when American Brands, Inc. acquired Andrew Jergens Company. Between 1976 and the late 1980s, Jergens launched the fragrance shampoo Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific, which became a notable product within that decade’s shampoo market.
The Kao Corporation took over the company in 1988. A resurgence occurred in 2005 when Jergens' Natural Glow self-tanning lotion gained significant popularity. After being featured on Live with Regis and Kelly, demand surged through online interest, leading to production scaling and a waiting list of approximately 38,000 consumers. Brian Rudie, senior brand manager, highlighted that Natural Glow's sales doubled compared to rival products.