Dr. Hauschka
A German natural skincare and cosmetics brand founded on medicinal-plant traditions, biodynamic cultivation and holistic approaches to skin care.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Dr. Hauschka is a German natural skincare and cosmetics brand associated with WALA Heilmittel GmbH and based in Eckwälden, Germany. Established in 1967, it grew out of the work of chemist Rudolf Hauschka, who had earlier co-founded WALA, a holistic pharmaceutical company, in 1935. WALA’s approach was influenced by Rudolf Steiner’s ideas about organic farming and the relationship between natural processes, plants and human health. This background helped shape Dr. Hauschka’s emphasis on medicinal plants, plant oils and holistic skin-care practices. The brand’s development also depended on the collaboration between Hauschka and Elisabeth Sigmund, an esthetician and researcher who had been exploring the use of herbs in skin care. After contacting Hauschka in the early 1960s, Sigmund worked with him for approximately two years to develop the concepts and formulations that would become the Dr. Hauschka range. The first product associated with the brand was a facial oil made with essential oils. From this initial focus, Dr. Hauschka expanded into a broader portfolio covering facial care, body care, hair care, bath products, deodorants, bronzers and color cosmetics. Dr. Hauschka presents itself as a natural and organic beauty brand rather than a conventional mass-market cosmetics company. Its product philosophy centers on botanical ingredients, including medicinal plants, and on supporting the skin’s own functions and regenerative processes. The brand also highlights biodynamic, organic, fair-trade and sustainably produced ingredients. Some raw materials are grown on company-operated German farms, while other ingredients are sourced through external agricultural and fair-trade relationships. These claims form part of the brand’s differentiation in the premium natural-beauty sector. The portfolio includes recognizable facial-care products such as Rose Day Cream and Cleansing Cream, as well as lip care, body products, hair care, bath oils and makeup. In 2017, Dr. Hauschka entered or formally expanded its color-cosmetics offer with the launch of a makeup line, extending the brand beyond treatment-oriented skincare. Its retail and professional identity is also supported by esthetician education: practitioners are trained at the Dr. Hauschka Academy in Germany in product use and facial treatments. The brand operates internationally and has become known outside Germany for combining herbal cosmetics with an explicitly holistic and sustainability-oriented narrative. Public descriptions of its customer appeal commonly emphasize natural formulations, plant-based ingredients, premium positioning and the connection between product use and professional facial treatments. Dr. Hauschka remains a WALA brand and is not identified in the available reference material as a separately listed public company. Its current global operating scale, detailed ownership structure beyond WALA, and current executive roster require further verification.
History
Dr. Hauschka’s origins lie in the work of Rudolf Hauschka and the broader institutional history of WALA Heilmittel. Hauschka, a chemist, co-founded WALA in 1935 as a holistic pharmaceutical company. WALA’s methods and philosophy were influenced by Rudolf Steiner’s ideas about natural processes and organic agriculture, providing an intellectual and practical setting for later plant-based personal-care development. In the early 1960s, Elisabeth Sigmund, an esthetician interested in herbal skincare, contacted Hauschka about her research. Hauschka and Sigmund subsequently worked together for about two years. Their collaboration translated WALA’s plant-oriented and holistic perspective into a dedicated skincare concept. The first product created for the emerging brand was a facial oil formulated with essential oils. In 1967, the Dr. Hauschka brand was founded in Germany. The company developed a range of facial and body products using botanical and medicinal-plant ingredients. Its identity was shaped not only by formulations but also by a wider approach to skin care that treated the skin as an active organ and emphasized supporting its natural functions. This helped distinguish Dr. Hauschka from conventional cosmetics companies focused primarily on fragrance, appearance or short-term product effects. Over time, the assortment broadened to include face creams, cleansing products, body care, hair products, bath oils, deodorants, bronzers and other cosmetics. Reference material states that the company uses organic and biodynamic ingredients grown on company-owned and operated farms in Germany, alongside ingredients connected with fair-trade and sustainability commitments. These practices became important elements of the brand’s premium natural-beauty positioning. Professional treatment and education also became part of the brand ecosystem. Estheticians receive training at the Dr. Hauschka Academy in Germany, where they learn about the products and facial-treatment methods associated with the brand. This professional channel reinforces the brand’s connection with holistic beauty services rather than limiting it to shelf-based retail products. A significant portfolio expansion occurred in 2017, when Dr. Hauschka launched a makeup line. The move extended the brand into color cosmetics while retaining its existing emphasis on plant-derived and natural ingredients. By 2019, Martina Joseph was identified in reference material as the company’s chief executive officer. The available sources do not provide a complete chronology of subsequent leadership, detailed revenue information, current ownership changes or a full account of the brand’s present international distribution. Dr. Hauschka continues to be associated with WALA Heilmittel and remains an active German natural-skincare brand with international reach.
- 2019Martina Joseph identified as chief executive
Reference material identifies Martina Joseph as chief executive officer as of 2019.
- 2017Makeup line launched
Dr. Hauschka expanded into color cosmetics with the launch of a makeup line.
- 1967Dr. Hauschka is founded
The Dr. Hauschka skincare brand was established in Germany, initially building around a facial oil made with essential oils.
- 1960Hauschka and Elisabeth Sigmund begin their skincare collaboration
Esthetician Elisabeth Sigmund contacted Rudolf Hauschka about herbal skincare research, leading to a collaborative development period of approximately two years.
- 1935WALA is co-founded by Rudolf Hauschka
Rudolf Hauschka co-founded WALA Heilmittel, the holistic pharmaceutical company from which the later Dr. Hauschka skincare brand emerged.
Products and positioning
Premium natural and organic beauty brand centered on medicinal plants, biodynamic and sustainably produced ingredients, holistic skincare practices and the skin’s own regenerative functions.
Facial skincareSkincare1967
Facial skincare is the core of the Dr. Hauschka portfolio. The range includes cleansing products, facial oils and creams developed around medicinal plants, essential oils and the brand’s holistic view of skin function. Products are positioned as natural and premium rather than as conventional mass-market toiletries. Rose Day Cream and Cleansing Cream are among the named products associated with the brand.
Rose Day CreamFacial skincare
Rose Day Cream is a named Dr. Hauschka facial-care offering and one of the products used to represent the brand’s emphasis on botanical skincare. Available reference material identifies it as a flagship offering but does not provide a complete ingredient list, formulation history or current regional availability.
Cleansing CreamFacial skincare
Cleansing Cream is a core facial-care product associated with Dr. Hauschka. It reflects the brand’s focus on plant-oriented cleansing and holistic daily skincare. The available sources do not establish its original launch date, complete formulation or market-by-market distribution.
Body careBody care
The body-care assortment extends the brand’s botanical approach beyond the face. Reference material describes body products within the company’s range but does not enumerate every product or provide detailed launch histories. The category is presented alongside facial care, hair care, bath oils and deodorants.
Hair careHair care
Dr. Hauschka produces hair-care products as part of its broader natural personal-care portfolio. They sit within the same plant-focused brand system as the facial and body ranges. Detailed product names, formulations and launch dates are not specified in the available reference material.
Makeup lineColor cosmetics2017
The makeup line was launched in 2017 and expanded Dr. Hauschka into color cosmetics. The line complements the existing skincare range while extending the brand’s natural-beauty positioning into makeup. Available reference material does not provide a full catalog or detailed account of subsequent product generations.
Lip Care StickLip care
Lip Care Stick is a named Dr. Hauschka offering included among the brand’s flagship products. It represents the extension of the brand’s plant-based personal-care proposition into everyday lip care. The available material does not establish its original launch date or detailed formulation.
Flagship businesses
- Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream
- Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream
- Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick
- Rose Day Cream
- Cleansing Cream
- Facial Toner
- Lip Care Stick
- Dr. Hauschka Med
- Natural make-up
Brand decisions
- 2017Expand into makeupProduct launch
Dr. Hauschka had an established identity in facial and body skincare and sought to broaden its natural-beauty assortment.
What changed. The brand launched a makeup line, adding color cosmetics to its skincare, body-care and related personal-care categories.
Aftermath. The launch expanded the brand’s addressable product scope, although the available sources do not quantify its commercial results or provide later portfolio details.
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Martina Joseph | Chief executive officer | — |
Recent events
- 2019Martina Joseph identified as Dr. Hauschka chief executive
Reference material identifies Martina Joseph as the brand’s chief executive officer as of 2019. Her current status and tenure dates are not established by the available material.
Leadership change - 2017Dr. Hauschka launches a makeup line
The brand expanded its offering beyond skincare with the introduction of a makeup line, adding color cosmetics to its established facial and body-care portfolio.
Product launch
Sources
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