One Drop Only is a German oral-care and dental-hygiene brand best known for its concentrated mouthwash. The brand traces its roots to Berlin and has been associated with oral care since 1950. It is particularly distinctive for its small-format, highly concentrated mouthwash products, alongside toothpaste, mouth sprays, tongue cleaners, toothbrushes and interdental-care products. 1

The company lists its current address as Stieffring 14, 13627 Berlin, Germany. 2

1927 — The beginning

The story begins with businessman Otto Müller, who established the chemical factory Otto Müller GmbH & Co. in Berlin-Charlottenburg in 1927. The company manufactured pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, and its Sintilla cosmetics line subsequently became known throughout Germany.

1948 — The mouthwash idea

Otto Müller and his Scottish son-in-law John Rorison developed the idea for a concentrated medicinal mouthwash. Their original working name was “Rorison’s Drop.”

1949 — “One Drop Only”

The product received the name One Drop Only in 1949. According to the company’s history, the name was suggested following advice from an American military governor. Otto Müller also created the brand’s distinctive red-and-blue logo.

1950 — Commercial launch

In 1950, Müller and Rorison established One Drop Only Chem.-pharm. Vertriebs-GmbH. After research, development and studies, the concentrated mouthwash was introduced to the market. This product became the foundation of the brand and remains its signature product more than seven decades later.

1971 — Berlin expansion

In 1971, the businesses moved to a shared location on Stieffring in Berlin, establishing the site that remains associated with One Drop Only today.

1988 — First major product expansion

After almost four decades centered on the mouthwash concentrate, One Drop Only expanded its range in 1988 with a mouth spray.

1991 — International expansion

The company significantly expanded its export activities. By 1991, One Drop Only products were reportedly available in more than 20 countries.

1997–1998 — Building an oral-care system

The company introduced additional products including mouthwash, chlorhexidine products and mint pastilles. In 1998, it added a tongue cleaner, developed following an invention by Norwegian dentist Dr. Olav Moelster.

2005 — International rebranding

A significant branding change occurred in 2005. The German name “Nur 1 Tropfen” (“Just 1 Drop”) was changed to One Drop Only, reflecting the company’s increasingly international orientation.

2008 — Return to family ownership

In 2008, Roberto D’Amati, the great-grandson of founder Otto Müller, took over management. This restored One Drop Only’s status as a traditional German family-owned business.

2009 — Visual identity update

The packaging was redesigned in 2009. The company describes the change as an effort to give the brand a younger and fresher appearance; notably, the dominant packaging color changed from yellow to blue.

2015–2016 — Portfolio expansion

In 2015, One Drop Only GmbH acquired the traditional halazon brand, which had existed since 1964. In 2016, the company added One Drop Only PHARMACIA and One Drop Only NATURALS to its portfolio.

Although the brand is historically identified with mouthwash, it has developed into a broader oral-care specialist. Its current product categories include:

• Mouthwash concentrates
• Mouth sprays
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Tongue cleaners
• Interdental brushes and products
• Other specialized oral-care products

The company’s own positioning is essentially that of a complete oral-care system, covering the teeth, tongue and gums rather than concentrating solely on breath freshening.

Mouthwash Concentrate

The One Drop Only Mouthwash Concentrate is the product most closely associated with the brand. It has been sold since 1950, making it the foundation of the company’s identity. One Drop Only describes it as its classic mouthwash and says the formulation has been continuously developed over the years.

The fundamental idea is different from a conventional ready-to-use mouthwash: a concentrated formula is used in a very small quantity. This concentration is also reflected in the brand’s name and historical identity.

In Singapore, Watsons currently lists One Drop Only’s 10 ml and 25 ml antibacterial mouthwash concentrates, alongside its other oral-care products. 3

Toothpaste

One Drop Only also sells concentrated toothpaste. The company’s Singapore retail listing describes its 50 ml concentrated toothpaste as being designed for daily dental care and highlights its concentrated dosage, peppermint and tea-tree oils, absence of SLS, microfine foam and clinical testing. Watsons lists its origin as Germany. 4

The toothpaste therefore follows the same basic philosophy as the historic mouthwash: concentration, small dosage and portability.

Tongue cleaners

Tongue cleaning is another particularly recognizable part of the One Drop Only product system. The company introduced its tongue cleaner in 1998, describing it as an innovation based on an invention by Norwegian dentist Dr. Olav Moelster.

Today, the brand continues to sell tongue-cleaning products, including a Professional Deluxe Tongue Cleaner in Singapore.

One Drop Only’s identity is built around several themes:

Tradition

The company emphasizes its long history in German oral care and its roots as a family business. It presents its established formulations and experience as an important part of its brand heritage.

Specialization

Unlike a diversified consumer-goods company, One Drop Only says it has specialized specifically in oral and dental care since 1950. Its philosophy is essentially “less is more”: focus on one field and develop expertise in it.

Science and development

The company says its product development follows contemporary scientific research and findings, while its traditional formulations provide a foundation for further development.

Natural ingredients

One Drop Only increasingly emphasizes natural active ingredients and says that some of its products are designed without synthetic ingredients. Its English-language corporate site specifically highlights natural active substances and gives its vegan toothpaste as an example. 3

Sustainability and concentration

The concentrated format is an important part of the brand’s product philosophy. Products can be packaged in relatively small quantities because the consumer uses comparatively little per application. This is particularly apparent with its mouthwash and toothpaste concentrates.

One Drop Only has an interesting visual and conceptual identity. Its name literally evokes the idea of a single drop being sufficient, which connects directly to the original concentrated mouthwash concept. The historic red-and-blue logo was created by founder Otto Müller himself. 4

The brand later moved toward a more contemporary visual identity. The 2009 packaging redesign changed the dominant color from yellow to blue, deliberately giving the brand a younger appearance while retaining its established identity.

One Drop Only is currently available in Singapore, including through Watsons. Watsons lists five products under the brand, including concentrated toothpaste, tongue cleaner, antibacterial mouthwash concentrates and antibacterial mouth spray.

Current Watsons Singapore listings include approximately:

• Concentrated Toothpaste 50 ml — S$15.90
• Tongue Cleaner Deluxe — S$14.80
• AntiBacterial Mouthwash Concentrate 10 ml — S$6.20
• AntiBacterial Mouthwash Concentrate 25 ml — S$14.80
• AntiBacterial Mouth Spray 15 ml — S$14.80

Prices and availability can of course change.

The easiest way to understand the brand is to think of it as a specialist German oral-care company built around concentration. Its differentiation comes from a combination of:

• 75+ years of oral-care history
• A recognizable concentrated mouthwash
• German manufacturing/brand heritage
• A family-business background
• Small-dose and concentrated products
• A complete oral-care approach covering teeth, gums, tongue and interdental areas
• Emphasis on traditional formulations combined with modern scientific development
• International distribution beyond Germany

1. Über Uns – One Drop Only
2. Official One Drop Only website
3. ONE DROP ONLY AntiBacterial Mouthwash Concentrate 10ml
4. ONE DROP ONLY Concentrated Toothpaste 50ml