Life Buoy The Health Soap Sign 1930s

Lifebuoy was introduced by Lever Brothers in 1895 in England. Originally a carbolic soap containing phenol, different varieties were later introduced without the medicinal carbolic smell, such as the coral-colored Lifebuoy during the late 1950s and Lifebuoy Minty Refresher in 1966. Lifebuoy was one of the most popular soaps in the United States from approximately 1923 to the mid-50’s, when perfumed soaps took over the market. It was the best selling medicated/health soap in North America until roughly 1951. It was well known for its red and yellow packaging, red color and octagonal shape, as well as its carbolic aroma. Sometime in 1951 or 1952, due to declining sales, Lever Bros. experimented with adding perfumes to the soap, and made the changes permanent in 1954. Earlier experiments in 1936, 1938, 1939 and 1940 also added an artificial scent to the soap, but generally lasted only one batch. Sales, however, continued to decline until 2006, when Lifebuoy was officially completely pulle