December the 7th, 2022 - Nivea, the company loved around the world for its gentle products such as deodorant, shower gel and moisturiser has managed to upset some Croatian fans with its rather poorly thought out advertisement for its micellar water.

An image depicting a rather disappointed woman wearing face paint of the classic Croatian ''checker'' colours of red and white appeared on Nivea's Instagram page recently, in an ad in which the company claimed that its micellar water (which, let's be honest, nobody had ever even heard of until fairly recently) can ''wipe away everything but the tears''. In the upper left-hand corner of the photo sits the score from the Croatia-Argentina match.

Argentina dashed Croatia's dreams of winning the 2022 World Cup by beating the national team 3-0. A disappointing result indeed, especially when that is coupled with behaviour from the ref that many disagreed with. We're not sure how Nivea could ever think, as an enormous, internationally recognisable company with an otherwise fantastic reputation based on the trust of its countless customers, that poking fun at entire nations could be a good campaign for its, erm... ''micellar water''.

While some believe that Nivea would have poked fun at any other nation in Croatia's position and used their flag for their product advertisement, others are offended that the small but mighty nation of Croatia which struggled so hard for its independence and has performed so well in the sporting world in general, not only in this year's World Cup, is being used in such a negative manner.

Nivea has also used the Moroccan flag in the same negative light to try to sell its micellar water, which allegedly ''removes face paint'', seeing not only Croatian fans but also fans from Morocco calling for a boycott of the large brand for its insensitivity and frankly ridiculous ''creative'' decision. Referred to as an ''outrageous and provocative'' campaign, many in both countries feel targeted. 

Faced with likely unexpected backlash for this utterly ridiculous advertisement, Nivea retracted their ad and replaced it with an official apology aimed at both the Croatian and Moroccan national teams. The company then issued an official statement, in which they stated that they “deeply apologise” for the move, and that they recognise the “fantastic achievement” of both the European and the North African teams in question.

It hasn't done much good, with people still calling to boycott the brand which has let itself down rather spectacularly with this move.

For more, check out our news section.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 14th of May, 2020, Beiersdorf, the company which stands behind the wildly popular Nivea brand, has generously donated a massive 340,000.00 kuna to support three organisations in Croatia and neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina: namely the Croatian Institute of Public Health, the Croatian Red Cross and UNICEF BiH, as part of its emergency assistance programme during the coronavirus crisis.

This support to humanitarian organisations is part of the international care programme "Care Beyond Skin" by which the Beiersdorf Group wants to take a step beyond its core business - which is unique skin care - and achieve the maximum contribution to the well-being of people, society and the environment, especially in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Branko Kotarac, General Manager of Beiersdorf Croatia stated that the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has endangered our health in a very short period of time and brought our social life to a state of dormancy that almost none of us could have possibly imagined.

''Beiersdorf Croatia wants to provide support through donations to organisations in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina that provide assistance to people during these difficult times, such as the Croatian Institute of Public Health, the Croatian Red Cross and UNICEF BiH.

The Croatian Institute of Public Health - The epidemiologists belonging to the leading public health institution in Croatia and the immediate region are visiting people affected by the new coronavirus, conducting tests and sharing current data and advice related to the safety and protection of the general population. With a generous monetary donation in the amount of 111,300.00 kuna, Beiersdorf Croatia will provide support for the provision of all types of medical equipment - protective suits, goggles, masks, antiseptics and for assistance in the supply of food for people working in the field.

The Croatian Red Cross - During the coronavirus crisis, the Croatian Red Cross has been in charge of organising assistance to the elderly and infirm, people with coronavirus who are being treated at home, people in self-isolation who have no one else to help them, and other socially vulnerable citizens. Beiersdorf Croatia will provide a financial donation in the amount of 111,300.00 kuna to support the Croatian Red Cross wherever its assistance is needed.

UNICEF ​​Bosnia and Herzegovina - Since coronavirus treatment tends to require timely and sometimes intensive care, Beiersdorf Croatia will make a monetary donation in the amount of 29,400 BAM to help UNICEF ​​BiH in the procurement of medical and protective equipment to help those who have become unwell.

The Beiersdorf International Assistance Programme

In late March, Beiersdorf AG announced its international assistance programme: the group intends to provide a grant of 50 million euros to support crisis management, especially in epicentres and regions with less developed public health systems and infrastructure. Beiersdorf will thus work with international organisations and local authorities to ensure maximum support for people in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for all you need to know about coronavirus in relation to Croatia.