Hamol ultra | Sunscreen

A lively, dynamic original poster by Basel artist Alfred Rudin, which combines the rather sober tradition of Swiss functional posters à la Stoecklin with the wit of Brun or Leupin—and manages the feat of also convey the advertising message unambiguously to the audience using attractive, vibrant colors: For anyone who goes skiing, Hamol Ultra sunscreen is at least as important as the skis themselves.

In the 1930s, Hamol was something like the Swiss equivalent of Nivea. Even before World War I, pharmacist Julius Otto Maag produced a skin cream in Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, that harnessed the anti-inflammatory and skin-firming properties of the witch hazel plant. After Hamol AG was founded in 1928, industrial production began, including, among other things, shaving cream and, most notably, Hamol Ultra (here even with the forward-thinking name «Hamol Ultra 2000»).

The company thus demonstrated good foresight, because improving the living conditions of workers and employees led to something that had never existed before: time off from work. Or, as we call it today: free time. During this time, men and women could now—also in light of breaking down social barriers and emerging new beauty ideals—take care of themselves and their own bodies.

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