Merz Consumer Care

What Merz Consumer Care does

Merz Consumer Care GmbH, operating under the corporate brand Merz Lifecare, is a Frankfurt am Main-based consumer health and beauty company that develops, markets, and distributes an 11-brand portfolio of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, medical devices, and personal care products. The portfolio spans established heritage brands — tetesept (cold remedies, bath additives, supplements), Merz Spezial (beauty micronutrients), SOS (acute problem-solver OTC), and Zirkulin (psyllium and natural health) — alongside Brooklyn Soap Company (men's grooming, D2C), Burgit (foot care), Savoderm med (medical skincare), Depilan (cosmetic hair removal), Daytox (clean skincare), Beautyglam (facial care), tetesept Baby, and Femi Baby. Products are developed in-house at the Frankfurt R&D department, covering analytics, galenics, quality assurance, and scientific regulatory affairs, and produced by approximately 50 contract manufacturers.

The company generates revenue through wholesale sales of branded consumer health and personal care products to drugstore chains and grocery retailers across the DACH region, complemented by international distribution partners serving over 25 countries, brand-specific e-commerce storefronts, and two direct-to-consumer subsidiaries: Brooklyn Soap GmbH (Hamburg) and MLC-direct GmbH (independent digital unit established 2024). Following the January 2025 merger with WindStar Medical under the Merz Lifecare Holding umbrella — with the Merz Group as majority owner and Oakley Capital as minority investor — the company consolidated its operations under the unified Merz Lifecare corporate brand as of January 2026, and operates from headquarters in Frankfurt am Main plus offices in Hamburg, Vienna, and Allschwil (Switzerland). The 4th-generation family business is part of the broader Merz Group, employs 101-250 staff, and includes a B2B private label subsidiary, Dr. Kleine Pharma, providing product development, regulatory, and supply chain services to retail partners.

Name

Merz Consumer Care

Legal name

Merz Consumer Care GmbH

Website

https://merz-lifecare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1908

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Merz Consumer Care (operating as Merz Lifecare) is a Frankfurt-based consumer health company that develops and distributes an 11-brand portfolio of OTC pharmaceuticals, supplements, medical devices, and personal care products primarily across the DACH region and in 25 countries, sold through drugstore and grocery retail as well as direct-to-consumer channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Health & Personal Care

NAICS

Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423450)

SIC

Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)

akta.pro primary industry

Cold, Flu, Cough & Allergy Remedies (Decongestants, Antihistamines, Cough Syrups, Lozenges) (CRADAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Foot Care (Deodorizing, Anti-chafe, Callus Care) (CRADANAK), Feminine Hygiene & Intimate Care (Wash, Wipes, Deodorants) (CRADANAG), Sleep, Stress & Mood OTC (Sleep Aids, Melatonin OTC, Calm/Stress Relief) (CRADAMAJ)

Keywords

• Consumer health products
• OTC pharmaceuticals
• Dietary supplements
• Skincare products
• Men's grooming products

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Consumer Health and Wellness Product Sales: Merz Lifecare generates revenue through the sale of over-the-counter health, wellness, and beauty consumer products across multiple brands. Products are distributed through retail partners in the DACH region and via distributors in over 25 countries worldwide. The portfolio includes bath additives, cold remedies, vitamins and minerals, foot care, skincare, and more.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Merz Consumer Care (operating as Merz Lifecare) develops, markets, and distributes a multi-brand portfolio of OTC health, wellness, and personal care products under 11 brands and 650+ SKUs. Offerings span bath additives, cold remedies, vitamins and minerals, foot care, skincare, men's grooming, cosmetic hair removal, dietary supplements, and baby care, distributed through drugstore and grocery retail channels across the DACH region and in more than 25 countries.

Product overview

Merz Consumer Care GmbH (operating as Merz Lifecare) is a diversified consumer health and beauty company offering a multi-brand portfolio of OTC pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, medical devices, and personal care products sold primarily in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and distributed in over 25 countries. The portfolio comprises 11 brands spanning health & wellness (tetesept, SOS, Zirkulin), beauty with substance (Merz Spezial), men's grooming (Brooklyn Soap Company), foot care (Burgit), medical skincare (Savoderm med), cosmetic hair removal (Depilan), clean skincare (Daytox), facial care (Beautyglam), and baby/parenting (tetesept Baby, Femi Baby). Products are developed in-house at the Frankfurt R&D department and manufactured through ~50 contract manufacturers. The company operates as part of the Merz Lifecare Holding alongside subsidiaries including Brooklyn Soap GmbH, MLC-direct GmbH, and Dr. Kleine Pharma. On January 5, 2026, WindStar Medical and DISTRICON corporate brands were unified under the Merz Lifecare name, with SOS and Zirkulin remaining as Consumer Brands within the portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• tetesept: Health and wellness products including cold remedies, bath additives, and supplements
• SOS
• Zirkulin
• Merz Spezial
• Brooklyn Soap Company
• t by tetesept
• burgit
• Savoderm med
• Depilan
• Daytox
• Beautyglam
• tetesept Baby
• Femi Baby

Products and services

• tetesept Multi-category consumer health brand covering bath additives, cold remedies, multivitamins, and related wellness products positioned as combining science with nature-based ingredients. Targeted at general consumers in the DACH region and additional international markets.
• SOS Consumer health brand within the Merz Lifecare portfolio addressing everyday health and self-care needs. Targeted at DACH and international consumers through drugstore, grocery, and brand channels.
• Zirkulin Heritage herbal medicine and dietary supplement brand combining natural plant-based ingredients with modern formulation, covering teas, powders, and supplements. Targeted at consumers seeking herbal and plant-based wellness solutions.
• Merz Spezial Brand offering a combination of micronutrients supporting beauty from within — skin, hair, and nails. Targeted at consumers looking for ingestible beauty supplements in dragee form.
• Brooklyn Soap Company Men's grooming and personal care brand run as a 100% subsidiary, operated with a creative, entrepreneurial spirit from Hamburg with a focus on direct-to-consumer channels. Targeted at male consumers in the men's grooming category.
• t by tetesept Sub-brand of tetesept targeted at younger consumers, offering bath, body, and self-care products.
• tetesept Baby Bath and care line from tetesept specifically formulated for babies, addressing sensitive baby skin and bath routines.
• Femi Baby Parenting-focused offering providing digital applications and content supporting parents.
• Burgit Foot care brand within the Merz Lifecare portfolio focused on foot health and comfort products.
• Savoderm med Medical skincare brand positioned for sensitive and problem skin, sold through pharmacy and drugstore channels.
• Depilan Brand for cosmetic hair removal, offering depilation products targeted at consumer self-care routines.
• Daytox Clean skincare brand emphasizing science-backed, natural-ingredient formulations in modern packaging.
• Beautyglam Facial care brand within the Merz Lifecare portfolio offering beauty-focused face care products for consumer use.
• Dr. Kleine Pharma private label services Full-service private label offering from Dr. Kleine Pharma providing product development, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and supply chain to retail partners, delivering tailor-made private label brands from a single source.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• FIEGE (Logistics Partner)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Merz Lifecare contributed to the creation of a Tiny Forest on the FIEGE logistics campus in Zülpich, Germany. Since Merz Lifecare does not have its own land for planting Tiny Forests, it partnered with its logistics provider FIEGE to establish the forest. Around 40 employees from FIEGE, Merz Lifecare, and Dräger participated in planting over 1,500 seedlings on an approximately 600 sqm area, guided by MIYA Forest e.V. experts.
• Dräger (Medical and Safety Technology Company)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Dräger, a medical and safety technology company and FIEGE customer, co-participated in the Tiny Forest planting project at the FIEGE Zülpich site. Dräger emphasizes the cross-company approach of the sustainability initiative, supporting the project alongside Merz Lifecare and FIEGE.
• Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am MainminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026Merz Lifecare co-financed a double Tiny Forest planted on the Riedberg Campus of Goethe-Universität Frankfurt. One section was funded by private donations, the second by Merz Lifecare. The project serves as a local educational initiative involving the university and the local gymnasium. The Tiny Forest is accessible to the public and will be used by university students and gymnasium students as a learning and research location. Scientific monitoring of the Tiny Forest is conducted by the university.
• MIYA forest e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2024MIYA forest e.V. from Eberswalde is one of the leading providers of Tiny Forests in Germany, having planted over 50 Tiny Forests since 2021. Merz Lifecare supports MIYA forest e.V. through a cooperation, financing innovative research projects to promote insights on optimal Tiny Forest placement, as well as supporting MIYA educational projects for schoolchildren. Merz Lifecare employees also participate in Citizen Science days and planting activities through this partnership.
• MainÄppelHaus Lohrberg Streuobstzentrum e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerz Lifecare cooperates with MainÄppelHaus Lohrberg as a partner in the 'Lehr- und Erlebnispfad zum Thema Bestäuber' (Pollinator Education and Experience Trail) project on the Frankfurt Lohrberg. The project aims to provide food sources and nesting sites for pollinators while raising awareness among visitors. Merz Lifecare supports the project financially and through employee engagement, working alongside Frankfurt garden apprentices.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Galderma: Dermatology-focused brand owner (Cetaphil, Differin, Epiduo) overlapping with Savoderm med and medical skincare positioning. A more dermatology-specialized peer rather than mass OTC; useful as a 'pure-play' dermatology consumer benchmark.

Broad incumbents

• Beiersdorf: Hamburg-based global skin care incumbent (Nivea, Eucerin, Hansaplast/Elastoplast, La Prairie). Direct overlap with Savoderm med and Merz Spezial's beauty-adjacent positioning; broader portfolio but comparable DACH retail leverage.
• Procter & Gamble Beauty: Global beauty and personal care giant (Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Old Spice) competing with Brooklyn Soap in men's grooming and broader personal care categories. Significantly larger scale but comparable channel strategy.
• Henkel Beauty & Personal Care: Mass-market personal care incumbent (Fa, Schauma, got2b, Syoss). Competes on DACH drugstore/grocery shelves across body care, hair care, and men's categories that overlap with Brooklyn Soap and Beautyglam.

Direct peers

• Haleon: Global OTC leader (Voltaren, Centrum, Advil, Sensodyne, Panadol) carved out of GSK. Direct OTC competitor with similar category breadth in pain, vitamins, and oral care, and a comparable drugstore-led European GTM.
• Kenvue: Spun out of J&J in 2023, Kenvue owns Tylenol, Zyrtec, Benadryl, Neutrogena, and Aveeno — a directly comparable mix of OTC and personal care. Battles Merz Lifecare for shelf space in European drugstore chains and increasingly in beauty adjacencies.
• Stada Arzneimittel: German-headquartered generics and OTC company (Stada, Hemopharm, Nizoral) with strong DACH drugstore presence. Comparable on regional OTC focus and contract-manufacturing supply chain footprint.
• Bayer Consumer Health: Global OTC and consumer health division (Aspirin, Bepanthen, Claritin, Aleve) competing head-to-head with Merz Lifecare's tetesept, SOS, and Merz Spezial across DACH drugstore and grocery shelves. Closest comparable on OTC category breadth and DACH retail muscle.
• Weleda: Swiss-German natural personal care and anthroposophic medicine company (skin care, baby care, supplements) — directly comparable to Daytox, Beautyglam, and tetesept Baby on nature-based positioning and DACH drugstore distribution.
• Sanofi Consumer Healthcare: European OTC and consumer healthcare business (Mucosolvan, Dulcolax, Allegra). Direct peer in OTC self-care categories and a benchmark for OTC-to-consumer-healthcare transitions in Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/merz-lifecare-com

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Merz Consumer Care