Öko-Test finds budget face creams outperform expensive brands

An evaluation by Öko-Test of 32 rich face creams revealed that budget-friendly options often outperform expensive luxury brands. Twelve products received the highest rating of “sehr gut” (very good), with all items priced under five euros achieving at least a “gut” (good) rating.

Top performers included Lidl’s Cien Tagespflege reichhaltig with SPF 15, priced at 1.65 euros per 50 milliliters, and dm’s Alverde Reichhaltige Tagescreme Bio-Wildrose, a certified natural cosmetic priced at 2.85 euros. Nivea’s Tagespflege reichhaltig with SPF 30 also earned a top rating at 5.95 euros.

In contrast, several high-priced products costing over 20 euros per 50 milliliters failed the test. The That’s me organic 24h Hyaluron-Creme Aloe and Lancôme Nutrix Reichhaltige Creme both received an “ungenügend” (unsatisfactory) rating. Testing identified unwanted chemical contaminants, such as the synthetic musk fragrance galaxolid, in several products, including some labeled as certified natural cosmetics.