Nivea for Men has apologized for an ad that appeared in Esquire magazine and ignited a flap, with critics calling it racially insensitive.

Nivea has since taken down the ad and issued an apology via Facebook. "Thank you for caring enough to give us your feedback about the recent 'Re-civilized' Nivea for Men ad.

Nivea cream's new ad for Nivea For Men is seriously offending some in the black community.

It all started when the brand rejected an image pitched by the ad agency depicting two men's hands touching.

Nivea has apologized for an ad (see full image here) featuring a black man holding the head of what we guess we're to assume is his former self (with a beard, an Afro and an angry expression ...

Beauty brand Nivea is in hot water after its latest campaign has been called racist. The Nivea for Men’s ad, printed in the September issue of Esquire magazine, shows a short-haired black man ...

The company released this statement on Facebook: “Thank you for caring enough to give us your feedback about the recent ‘Re-civilized’ NIVEA FOR MEN ad. This ad was inappropriate and offensive.

Nivea has since taken down the ad and issued an apology via Facebook. "Thank you for caring enough to give us your feedback about the recent 'Re-civilized' Nivea for Men ad.