The second costliest skin care product is deemed "inadequate" in comparison.
A versatile skincare solution for various ages and skin types, suitable for both body and face usage - a product that caters to all occasions and the entire family? That sounds convenient, right? Many households feature a multipurpose lotion as a staple in their bathroom. Some brands have maintained their popularity for decades, while others have evolved over time, and some have recently entered the market. Despite promising extraordinary results, these lotions generally share a basic formula and minimalist packaging. It seems like you can't go wrong with them, right?
The German consumer watchdog group, Öko-Test, decided to investigate if these multipurpose lotions truly live up to their reputation and examined 22 such products from the market, including six certified natural cosmetics. Testers paid anywhere between 0.92 to 26.40 euros for a 200ml bottle of these products.
Half of the skincare creams earn a "very good" rating
The test results hinted at around half of the skincare creams receiving a "very good" rating. This category includes affordable options from discount stores and drugstores. For instance, the "Aveo Moisturizing Care Cream Soft Care" from Müller drugstore, "Balea Soft Cream" from dm, and "Bevola Light Soft Cream" from Kaufland - priced just 0.92 euros per 200ml.
However, not all skincare creams meet the criteria for safety: traces of mineral oil components, harmful preservatives, and other concerns plague several product ratings. While most companies in the surveyed multipurpose lotions have phased out petroleum-based fats and oils, paraffins were detected in the ingredient lists of three products. These products may contain aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH), which could potentially contain carcinogenic compounds. The "Dove Body Love Rich Moisturizing Lotion" from Unilever was downgraded to a "satisfactory" rating due to a high content of MOAH.
Be cautious when using on children
The least impressive product in the test, retailing for 15.84 euros, earned an "insufficient" rating. The "Pure Camomille Comfort Cream" from Yves Rocher was characterized by the presence of PEG/PEG derivatives, which may increase skin permeability to external substances. The cream contains salicylic acid, an agent used in acne treatments, preservatives, or dandruff control. In the EU, salicylic acid is classified as potentially toxic to reproduction (category 2), and its potential hormonal activity is under investigation. Moreover, salicylic acid can cause eye damage.
Despite adhering to the legal maximum amounts set by the Cosmetics Regulation, Öko-Test raised concerns about the product's use due to the presence of salicylic acid. Furthermore, salicylic acid is not allowed in cosmetics formulated for children under the age of three. Cosmetics containing salicylic acid that can be marketed to children in this age bracket are required to carry a warning label. The Yves Rocher product lacked such a warning.
The environmental test conducted by Öko-Test also evaluated the environmental impact of these skincare creams, considering factors such as packaging waste and the sourcing of ingredients.
In the environmental test, several skincare creams received lower scores due to excessive packaging or the use of non-sustainable resources in their production. For instance, the "Pure Camomille Comfort Cream" from Yves Rocher, which earned an "insufficient" rating in the primary test, also scored poorly in the environmental test.
