Öko-Test skincare and cosmetic evaluations

The German consumer magazine Öko-Test has conducted series of evaluations on skincare and cosmetic products, consistently finding that affordable or natural brands often outperform luxury and major established labels.

In an assessment of 32 facial creams for dry skin, the magazine found that higher prices did not guarantee superior quality or ingredient safety. Twelve products received a ‘very good’ rating, including several priced under five euros per 50ml. Conversely, the four lowest-scoring products all cost more than 20 euros per 50ml. A similar trend was noted in men’s skincare, where budget brands outperformed more expensive options.

In a subsequent evaluation of drugstore concealers, the testing highlighted the superior safety and value of certified natural cosmetics. The Terra Naturi Concealer received a ‘very good’ rating for being free of controversial ingredients and problematic preservatives. Meanwhile, conventional products from major brands such as L’Oréal and Max Factor received ‘insufficient’ ratings in laboratory tests.