We are both old and new!
Where tradition meets innovation
Founded in 1978, we are one of the longest-standing companies in the natural and organic cosmetics industry – and also one of the most innovative. We thrive on continuously evolving ourselves and our products. Drawing on decades of expertise in plant-based raw materials, we blend this knowledge with fresh ideas and cutting-edge natural ingredients to create something truly special.
The (Re)Discovery of Natural Cosmetics
In 1978, midwife and druggist Inge Stamm noticed that more and more babies were developing skin rashes from the baby creams widely used at the time. In her search for the cause, she discovered that most cosmetic products were petroleum-based and packed with synthetic preservatives. Cosmetics made entirely from natural ingredients were virtually non-existent. Determined to change this, she delved into library research and found inspiration in ancient texts, including those of Hildegard von Bingen.
The First Pure Natural Cosmetics Brands Emerge
Inge Stamm decided to create her own 100% natural products as an alternative to conventional cosmetics and founded i+m Naturkosmetik in West Berlin. Alongside a few other pioneers, she set out to reinvent forgotten natural cosmetics by blending different natural raw materials and testing their effects. Slowly but surely, the first purely natural i+m products were born, with many more to follow over the coming decades. Inge Stamm had a passion for ongoing research, continually refining her formulations and later incorporating new active ingredients and plant oils traditionally used in cosmetics from other cultures.
Today, many innovations, such as the first-time use of sea buckthorn and plant-derived hyaluronic acid, are credited to Inge Stamm.
The Dawn of the Vegan Era
Once again, i+m was at the forefront of a new movement!
In 2000, when the term ‘vegan’ was still relatively unknown, Inge Stamm made the pioneering decision to produce exclusively plant-based cosmetics. As one of Germany’s most experienced natural cosmetics developers, she had come to realise that purely plant-based ingredient combinations were not only the most skin-friendly and effective in the long term but also aligned with her commitment to animal welfare.
Our Current Cosmetic Concept
In keeping with the spirit of our founder, we continue to innovate while building on tradition. This has allowed us to remain a ‘young’ brand, one that defies its years.
For us, developing a top-quality cosmetic product is about more than just the technical process or blending highly effective raw materials. The creative journey, where we combine proven ingredients with innovative actives in new ways and carefully test how they interact with the skin, is just as vital. It takes a blend of experience, intuition, science, craftsmanship, and artistry to create something truly exceptional.
But it’s not just the formula; the ingredients themselves are key to a product’s effectiveness. From our holistic perspective, natural cosmetics can only reach their full potential when the raw materials are organically grown and minimally processed – that’s what i+m stands for.
“At i+m, we focus on two key areas: sustainability and cosmetic effectiveness. This drive comes from our entire team. In terms of sustainability, we’ve accomplished almost everything possible in the cosmetics industry and have been nominated for or won the German Sustainability Award multiple times in recent years. With that solid foundation, we’ve turned our attention more towards the cosmetic performance of our products. As a result, we’ve become one of the most innovative brands in this field, often leading the way in bringing trends from conventional cosmetics into the natural beauty world.”
– Jörg von Kruse