Mineral oil, paraffins, silicones: these are not things you want in your cream – and yet even branded products contain these substances, as ÖKO-Test found out. The test result for the face creams is surprising, because even classic brands such as L’Oréal, L’Occitane, Neutrogena and Co. do poorly. But there are also recommended creams.
On the packaging of the face creams, the manufacturers only outdo each other with advertising promises: formulations such as “anti-wrinkle”, “anti-aging”, “extra firmness” and the most diverse special formulas give the impression that a little cream works wonders could. ÖKO-TEST asked the manufacturers about studies and came to a sobering conclusion: “In our view, no manufacturer has provided sufficient evidence that their product is more effective than a normal care cream,” says the ÖKO-TEST test report (issue 2/2022 ).
It looks better when testing the ingredients: ÖKO-TEST rated more than half of the 50 face creams tested as “very good” or at least “good”. 11 products achieved top marks.
To the detailed test report at ÖKO-TEST.
These are the test winners
The result: 11 creams are “very good”, eight of which are certified natural cosmetic products, some even inexpensive own brands from the drugstore. 15 other face creams are “good”, including several discounter products, such as from Lidl, Norma, Kaufland or Netto.
Inexpensive test winner The following creams, among others, were rated “very good”:
- Alverde day cream organic wild rose dry skin Dm around 2.85 euros at Idealo
- Bloom time intensive cream organic olive oil & organic jojoba oil Edeka, Netto & Budni around 3.30 euros
- CV Cadea Vera Hydro 24H Intensive Moisturizing Cream from miller around 1.95 euros at Müller
The other eight test winners are a bit more expensive, they are priced between 6 and 40 euros per 50 milliliters:
- dr Hauschka rose day cream Wala around 20 euros at Douglas
- Thistle & Chia Rich Care Day from dr sheller around 8 euros at DocMorris
- Sensitive 24h cream from Hey Organic around 14 euros at Amazon
- Age Protect Nourishing Cream rich from I+M around 20 euros at Douglas
- Logona Age Protection Firming Day Cream Extra Nourishing by Logocos around 23 euros at Douglas
- Ginseng Cream face cream from Martina Gebhardt Naturkosmetik GmbH around 20 euros at Douglas
- Daytox Hyaluronic Cream LSF 20 by LAB Cosmetics around 15 euros at Amazon
- Rich 24H face cream almond & shea butter from Jean & Len around 6 euros at Amazon
Harmful substances in well-known brands
It is striking that many creams from well-known manufacturers in particular fail the test. In addition to those already mentioned, products from Beiersdorf, Protector & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson are among the losers. Brands owned by the companies include Olay, Neutrogena and Eucerin.
Six face creams only get an “unsatisfactory”. Above all, the use of problematic fragrances, silicones, paraffins as well as PEG and plastic compounds and mineral oil residues are criticized. What other face creams should you stay away from? read the detailed test report at ÖKO-TEST for a fee.
You can read the previous test by ÖKO-TEST here at CHIP.