Celebrating Kroko's heritage
The evocative crocodile logo and stylishly retro product design make Kroko an instantly recognisable footcare brand in South African pharmacies. Kroko launched its first product on the market in South Africa in 1936, that's almost 90 years ago and this heritage month we are remembering our roots and sharing some of the insights into what has kept Kroko a popular South African brand for all this time.
We have ensured the Kroko brand remains true to its customer-first roots, extending the range of foot care products from focusing on corns and calluses to everything to do with caring for your feet. The flagship product, Kroko Corn and Callus Remover (or Krokodil Salf as it is affectionately known) remains a pharmaceutical favourite, with the original formulation as effective as ever.
Our founding father was a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and road runner and he acquired the product and established the company. Always on the lookout for good quality products he could buy, develop and market, bought the original product formulation from two pharmacist sisters who created it in the 1930s. He only ever sold well-formulated, effective problem-solving products he used and believed in, like Prep shaving cream, which he owned at the time - this was a South African household name. Decades later, we remain true to this ethos, and all products manufactured under the Kroko brand help solve a particular skincare problem.
As mentioned, our father was an avid runner, competing in 10 Comrades Marathons and earning his Green Number. This meant, in addition to his knowledge of corns, calluses and other skincare issues as a pharmacist, he personally understood foot discomfort, the need for quick effective treatments and the importance of caring for one’s feet.
Over the years the range has expanded to include products which help treat foot as well as skin care issues like - wart removal, helping cracked skin and minor cuts and scratches as well as sweaty feet. Among Kroko’s latest additions are the liquid SkinFix, HeelFix, FingerFix and SkinFilm – the latter an innovative liquid plaster that is a game-changer for hygienically covering minor wounds.
Committed to quality healthcare, Kroko products are approved by The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) – an entity of the National Department of Health that ensures consumer health and well-being. Kroko is available throughout South Africa in DisChem, Clicks and more than two thousand independent pharmacies in as well as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Kroko is an interesting brand in that if you suffer from corns, calluses, or other foot-related health issues, you will know the brand well. It is the go-to product for most pharmacists. But if you don’t have any foot health issues, you may still recognise the logo, even if you haven’t used it personally, just because it has been around for so long. We are entrenched in the industry and even though others have emulated our products (the highest form of flattery!), we remain the brand leader for treating corns and calluses.
The Kroko family journey spans nine decades, supporting the creation of South African jobs while providing long-term relief for common foot and skin health challenges. Kroko is proudly South African!