Who was the first Noxzema girl?
Tracing the Origins of an Iconic Skincare Spokesperson
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Vintage Noxzema Commercial 1960s
Introduction: The Legacy of the Noxzema Girl
Classic Noxzema Ad
When we think of iconic advertising campaigns from the 20th century, few images stand out as much as the “Noxzema Girl.” She represented not just a skincare brand, but also an entire cultural moment when beauty ads began to blend sensuality, humor, and modernity.
The “Noxzema Girl” was the fresh-faced beauty who told women—and men—that Noxzema cold cream could deliver both clean, clear skin and confidence. But the question remains: who was the very first Noxzema girl?
The answer takes us back to the 1960s, when Madison Avenue was reinventing how brands connected with consumers. Let’s dive into the history of the Noxzema girl and her lasting impact on beauty culture.
The Birth of the “Noxzema Girl” Phenomenon
Noxzema Skin Cream Commercial 1967
Noxzema, founded in 1914, had been marketed for decades as a medicated skin cream. But in the 1960s, the brand needed a bold repositioning to compete with rising skincare competitors. Enter advertising agencies, who introduced the “Noxzema Girl.”
The character wasn’t just about beauty—it was about confidence, allure, and modern femininity. These commercials were among the first to blend skincare advertising with a kind of playful sex appeal.
The first Noxzema girl became a cultural archetype: young, fresh, flirtatious, and unforgettable.
The First Recognized Noxzema Girl: Gunilla Knutson
“Take It Off, Take It All Off” Noxzema Ad
The title of “first Noxzema Girl” is most commonly associated with Gunilla Knutson, a Swedish-born model and actress. She became internationally famous when she appeared in the brand’s iconic 1967 television commercial featuring the slogan:
“Take it off. Take it all off.”
The ad, featuring a catchy jingle sung by singer Tommy James, showed Knutson seductively removing makeup while promoting Noxzema’s cleansing cream. It was cheeky, modern, and shocking for its time.
Knutson’s appearance made her a household name in the United States. Though Noxzema ads had been around since the 1950s, she was the first to embody the role of “The Noxzema Girl” in the way the public remembers today.
Cultural Impact of Gunilla Knutson’s Campaign
Gunilla Knutson Noxzema Ad Compilation
Knutson’s commercials weren’t just popular—they became cultural milestones. The combination of suggestive advertising and memorable slogans catapulted Noxzema into new levels of brand awareness.
Pop Culture Influence: The ads were parodied on shows like Saturday Night Live and referenced in movies, proving their reach far beyond the beauty aisle.
Shifting Standards: By presenting skincare in a sultry yet playful way, Noxzema helped shift advertising toward bolder, more liberated expressions of female beauty.
A Marketing Triumph: Sales of Noxzema skyrocketed following the commercials, cementing Knutson as a face of 1960s advertising.
Before Knutson: Early Faces of Noxzema
Vintage 1950s Noxzema Cold Cream Commercial
While Knutson is remembered as the first official Noxzema Girl, the company had featured models in its print ads and early TV spots before her rise to fame. In the 1950s, Noxzema ads often showed wholesome, girl-next-door types emphasizing clear skin and health rather than sensuality.
However, these earlier models were not individually recognized in the same way. They were anonymous advertising faces, not celebrity ambassadors. Knutson was the first to achieve name recognition and cultural status tied directly to the brand.
The Evolution of the Noxzema Girl Over the Years
Noxzema Ad Timeline
Following Knutson’s success, the “Noxzema Girl” became a recurring advertising archetype. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Noxzema ads continued to feature fresh-faced women—sometimes playful, sometimes serious—each iteration reflecting the beauty standards of its era.
1970s: Models were shown with natural looks and minimal makeup, aligning with the decade’s back-to-basics ethos.
1980s–1990s: Ads became more clinical, focusing on Noxzema’s medicated formula and acne-fighting properties. The “girl” was less glamorous and more relatable.
2000s–2010s: Celebrities like Rebecca Gayheart also became known as “Noxzema Girls,” connecting the brand to Hollywood while modernizing its image.
Rebecca Gayheart: The 1990s Noxzema Girl
Rebecca Gayheart Noxzema Commercial
While Gunilla Knutson originated the role, Rebecca Gayheart became the new face of Noxzema in the 1990s. Known as “The Noxzema Girl” of her generation, Gayheart’s commercials targeted a younger audience, positioning Noxzema as essential for teens struggling with breakouts.
Her girl-next-door charm resonated with a different demographic, demonstrating the brand’s ability to reinvent the “Noxzema Girl” for each generation.
Legacy of the First Noxzema Girl
Gunilla Knutson Interview on Noxzema Ads
Gunilla Knutson’s role as the original Noxzema Girl is remembered as one of the most influential campaigns in advertising history.
She brought glamour and memorability to a product that had once been viewed as ordinary. More importantly, she paved the way for future beauty campaigns that leaned on personality, sensuality, and storytelling.
The legacy of the Noxzema Girl lives on—not only in vintage ads, but in the way brands today rely on spokespeople to embody their values.
Conclusion
The question “Who was the first Noxzema Girl?” finds its answer in Gunilla Knutson, the Swedish model who immortalized the “Take it off. Take it all off” slogan in 1967. Though others followed—including Rebecca Gayheart in the 1990s—Knutson remains the quintessential original.
Her influence can still be felt in modern beauty marketing, where the blend of personality, allure, and brand identity continues to shape how we view skincare.
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