Over the past few months, I have become a loyal customer of a European bath and body line that has become mine and my girls go-to personal care products.
The brand is Kneipp (pronounced ken-ipe) and although most Americans are not familiar with this German brand, it has been around for over 125 years!
I literally stumbled upon the Kneipp Store while walking around Roosevelt Field mall with Kelsey, back in December. Trying to find a gentle face wash and moisturizer for my 11 year old girl, we came upon the lovely and inviting bath and skin care products store. My interest was piqued, by the words "Vegan" and "Natural" in the window and the delicious aromas emanating from inside.
Kneipp Retail Store, Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall (c) travelincousins.com
Me and my girls LOVE, LOVE, LOVE anything with aromatic and vibrant scents as a general rule, and when you combine this with the ritual of pampering, its a win-win for my gang of three. The problem is, with so many "good smelling" products on the market that do not adhere to the standards of being animal friendly and/or that contain chemicals and other harmful, unhealthy ingredients, I felt drawn to check things out at Kneipp.
My enthusiasm was growing as we entered this boutique, whose name, I was not yet sure how to pronounce, as I began to visually scan the displays full of body washes, lotions, hand creams, bath salts, bubble baths, essential body and bath oils, skin care and more.
My enthusiasm was growing as we entered this boutique, whose name, I was not yet sure how to pronounce, as I began to visually scan the displays full of body washes, lotions, hand creams, bath salts, bubble baths, essential body and bath oils, skin care and more.
My daughter and I were immediately greeted by two of the most friendly and personable sales women, making us feel welcome and at home, as if our arrival sincerely made a difference to them. The customer service from Colleen and Michele was flawless, as our education about this brand ensued and we were drawn into hands-on (no pun intended) demonstrations of a variety of products at an over-sized sink.
The realization that this store could be a great find for my family's personal care products needs as well as a resource for gift giving, was becoming increasingly clear as I was drawn in deeper by the history and mission of this German brand. Having just purchased a few Christmas presents at a competitive retail store in the mall, which cannot make the same healthy and compassionate claims as Kneipp, I began to experience some buyer's remorse. Oh well, I still had several gifts to buy!
The realization that this store could be a great find for my family's personal care products needs as well as a resource for gift giving, was becoming increasingly clear as I was drawn in deeper by the history and mission of this German brand. Having just purchased a few Christmas presents at a competitive retail store in the mall, which cannot make the same healthy and compassionate claims as Kneipp, I began to experience some buyer's remorse. Oh well, I still had several gifts to buy!
The visual timeline of The History of the brand Kneipp, prominently featured in-store. (c) travelincousins.com
History of Kneipp
The story of this natural, botanically-based line of products is depicted in-store on a visually engaging timeline, having its humble beginnings back in the 18th Century, in a small village in Bavaria, Germany. Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897), a naturopath and priest, cured himself of a severe case of tuberculosis using the very nature around him in combination with cold and hot water therapies (hydrotherapy). At that time, the disease was usually fatal, but Kneipp came across an eighteenth-century book about hydrotherapy that inspired him to immerse himself several times a week in the icy Danube River. These brief exposures to cold water seemed to bolster his immune system, sending his disease into remission.
I was fascinated as I read the historical account, and Michele and Colleen filled in with additional product details. It all resonated strongly with me as I am a strong believer that the earth has everything necessary to keep us healthy and heal us from disease, and Sebastian Kneipp had proved this through his life's mission.
Having cured himself, Father Kneipp began a lifetime of devotion to providing all people a simple plan to improve and maintain good health with the healing powers of water, plants and herbs. His reputation and fame grew as a healer and thousands of people would journey to the foot hills of the German Alps to learn the naturopathic methods he developed and to be "cured" and achieve optimal health.
The story of this natural, botanically-based line of products is depicted in-store on a visually engaging timeline, having its humble beginnings back in the 18th Century, in a small village in Bavaria, Germany. Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897), a naturopath and priest, cured himself of a severe case of tuberculosis using the very nature around him in combination with cold and hot water therapies (hydrotherapy). At that time, the disease was usually fatal, but Kneipp came across an eighteenth-century book about hydrotherapy that inspired him to immerse himself several times a week in the icy Danube River. These brief exposures to cold water seemed to bolster his immune system, sending his disease into remission.
I was fascinated as I read the historical account, and Michele and Colleen filled in with additional product details. It all resonated strongly with me as I am a strong believer that the earth has everything necessary to keep us healthy and heal us from disease, and Sebastian Kneipp had proved this through his life's mission.
Having cured himself, Father Kneipp began a lifetime of devotion to providing all people a simple plan to improve and maintain good health with the healing powers of water, plants and herbs. His reputation and fame grew as a healer and thousands of people would journey to the foot hills of the German Alps to learn the naturopathic methods he developed and to be "cured" and achieve optimal health.
Sebastian Kneipp, (1821-1897), German Naturopath and Priest (photo credit:beautyprophet.com)
"Nature has provided us generously with
everything we need to remain in good health"
-Sebastian Kneipp
everything we need to remain in good health"
-Sebastian Kneipp
One of the cornerstones of Sebastian Kneipp's holistic philosophy is The Five Pillars, which were the basis of the "Kneipp-Kur" and proudly displayed in-store. Kneipp believed in total wellness for body, mind, and soul and his therapies not only cured illness but were also a means by which maintaining good health was and is possible - what we would refer to today as "preventative care."
Sebastian Kneipp considered the elements of Water, Plants, Exercise, Nutrition, and Balance to be closely linked and united them in a holistic life philosophy. They are known as "The Five Pillars." (photo credit: beautyprophet.com)
The Five Pillars refer to the elements of water, plants, exercise, nutrition, balance, used in combination to improve health and well-being. Kneipp developed treatment methods using hydrotherapy with plants and herbs that proved very beneficial for a holistic way of life.
Realizing the need to make these healing remedies available to greater numbers of individuals, Sebastian Kneipp partnered with a Würzburg pharmacist who shared his conviction for using naturopathic medicine and using only natural plant essences and pure ingredients as a base, together, they created the formulas that are still used in the company's bath, body and wellness products today, according to the company's website.
Kneipp Today
With headquarters in Würzburg, Germany, the Kneipp Company is an independent company within the Hartman Group, with a modern production site located in Ochsenfurt-Hohestadt, near Würzburg, along with research and development laboratories that continues the legacy and holistic philosophy of its founder, Sebastian Kneipp. Throughout Europe, the brand is well recognized, and the plan is to bring that same consumer recognition to America, through Kneipp-owned retail stores along with an online presence.
As a travel blogger, I was ecstatic about the company's tie-in to travel! In the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, an entire town is devoted to Kneipp Wellness. It is Kneipp Town-the spa village of Bad (Spa) Wörishofen, where every hotel and guesthouse offers the "Kneipp-Kur" and the doctors practice Kneipp's Five Pillars of Wellness.
I can assure you that my travel bucket list now includes Bad Wörishofen!
Beautiful Store Front Window at Roosevelt Field store (c) travelincousins.com
"The story of Kneipp is just as relevant today as it was,
over a century ago and the core principles of its
founder, Sebastian Kneipp are an integral part
of the landscape and decor of the store."
-Kneipp.com
Interior of store full of botanical bath, body and skin care products (c) travelincousins.com
During our visit, I was educated about the benefits of Arnica, for which Kneipp offers a range of items including creams, massage oils and bath salts, and is one of their top selling product lines, according to my sales associates. I had never heard of arnica, was was thrilled to know that this plant, a part of the sunflower family, is very effective for muscle and joint pain.
I've been known to suffer from lower back pain, and was encouraged to know there was a naturopathic option to over the counter painkillers.
I've been known to suffer from lower back pain, and was encouraged to know there was a naturopathic option to over the counter painkillers.
Arnica products are top-sellers for Kneipp for their effectiveness for muscle and joint pain (c) travelincousins.com)
Needless to say, Kelsey and I walked out with quite a large bag of goodies. My girl was successful in finding two skin care items - Almond Blossom cleansing milk and face lotion, which she uses religiously twice daily, after learning the proper usage in-store. I managed to assemble an array of tantalizing smelling items for two people on my gift list that were festively wrapped in lovely gift boxes - one for my girls' school principal who is vegan, and another filled with a variety of lavender bath products for a friend.
Soft, Silky Shower Foams (photo credit: kneipp.com)
Lastly, a little something for myself. I could not resist their shower foam, which I consider, one of their best products! The soft, silky foam is a combination body wash and in-shower shaving cream. The kids have become obsessed with it, so I have to hide it!
Having tried most of the Kneipp scents to date, my favorite shower foam is White Hibiscus and Shea Butter and my gang of three's overall favorite Kneipp Shower Wash scent- hands down - is Passionfruit and Grapefruit!!
There are currently eight Kneipp stores in the United States along the east coast, which include two right here on Long Island in the Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall in Garden City and Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove.
Their prices are super reasonable too and when you sign up for the Kneipp Family loyalty program, (which, of course, I did!) it saves you an additional 5% of all purchases in store and online!
Thanks Kneipp, for giving consumers an animal friendly, botanical, natural, vegan alternative in the bath and body care category!
- Elisa
Having tried most of the Kneipp scents to date, my favorite shower foam is White Hibiscus and Shea Butter and my gang of three's overall favorite Kneipp Shower Wash scent- hands down - is Passionfruit and Grapefruit!!
There are currently eight Kneipp stores in the United States along the east coast, which include two right here on Long Island in the Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall in Garden City and Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove.
Their prices are super reasonable too and when you sign up for the Kneipp Family loyalty program, (which, of course, I did!) it saves you an additional 5% of all purchases in store and online!
Thanks Kneipp, for giving consumers an animal friendly, botanical, natural, vegan alternative in the bath and body care category!
- Elisa
For Your Reference
Kneipp.com
Kneipp.com
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