The New York Times called it: Apparently, German-made skincare is having a moment right now: and if the NYT calls out a trend, we can rather trust that there’s something going on. On top of that, Vogue Germany has (somewhat proudly) reported that actual Hollywood stars luuuurrrrve German skincare brands. Let me get right to the point, as a German skincare junkie: there’s more to German skincare than Dr. Barbara Sturm and Augustinus Bader. Here’s my G-Beauty best brands overview!
Why G-Beauty, exactly?
What the world loves about G-Beauty, apparently, are ‘doctor-brands’ – skincare brands with a medical approach and a reputation for clean, natural ingredients and effectiveness. Blame the EU for all you want (or don’t, I get rather pissy if you do), but there’re rather strict laws about ingredients and documentation over here that makes dealing with skincare pretty easy, considering.
Thinking about it, all that is what I like about German skincare brands as well. I’m rather annoyed, though, that brands in the international spotlight are super expensive. There’s much more to the German beauty market and there’re great products across the whole price range, from drugstore to high-end. (Scroll allllllllll the way down for shopping and other important infos!)
So, move over Drunk Elephant & co., here come the Germans. 😉
Higher-end skincare brands
Beyer & Söhne
This small family-led company with a background in pharmacy came to be in 2011 and I bought their Hautcreme+ for the first time in 2012. It’s been my go-to moisturiser ever since. Their product range is very small (moisturiser, moisturising gel, sunscreen, squalane, body lotion) and all based on the same philosophy: no filler ingredients, but instead, effective ones.
Why?
They don’t use mineral oil, parabenes, silicones, colouring agents, fragrance and alcohol. Their moisturiser has changed my skin for the better and has holy grail status for me. You can order samples, they ship all over the world, and, in Germany, you can also order their products at pharmacies. I’ve mentioned them again and again on the blog speaking about the moisturiser and their sunscreen oil (Astrid loves that stuff!).
Highdroxy
2015-founded Highdroxy wants to marry principles from natural, clean beauty brands with the effectiveness and reliance on actives from so-called doctor brands. They don’t use mineral oils, parabenes and silicones, alcohol and essential oils. Their product range is big and includes everything from cleansers to toners to serums to moisturisers, sunscreen and body lotion. They also have a cheaper line called ‘One’.
Why?
I haven’t found that product I absolutely adore, but I’ve tested a lot from their range and can recommend their face serum, the hydro spray, their peptide serum and sunscreen. Again, you can easily order samples and order their products at pharmacies as well. Sign up for their newsletter, they offer amazing deals once and again, which is much appreciated at this price point.
Honorable mentions: Babor & Muti
Babor
Babor’s products were once just made for spa applications (and are used at the Beverly Hilton, which gave them some credit with stars staying there for award shows), and are still only sold at their own spas and stores.
Why?
Especially their glass vials ‘ampoules’ of serum, made for one single use, rose recently to fame, because it allows ingredients to stay potent and fresh. They also need fewer preservatives, because ingredients are just made for one single use. Babor uses local ingredients, develops products in their own lab, and produce everything on their own, which might factor into the rather high price-point.
Muti
This Munich-based company relies on its pared-back design, both regarding the inside and outside of their products. Three serums, some moisturisers and sunscreen for face and body – done. Again, they advertise with not using mineral oils, parabenes, paraffin, and silicones, but differently to Highdroxy and Beyer & Söhne they use a lot of essential oils (and also use pots instead of airless dispensers which doesn’t bode well for ingredients that disintegrate when coming into contact with air).
Why?
I’ve ordered their sample set, but haven’t tried them out. Hot contenders for potential favourites are their hyaluronic acid serum and the calm serum that includes an intriguing complex for calming irritated skin called SyriCalm.
Natural brands
Let’s reiterate that ‘natural’, ‘green’ or ‘clean’ aren’t certified labels. Any brand can call themselves that. Reputable brands, though, will be likely certified by either Ecocert, BDHI, Natrue or (Europe-wide) COSMOS-standard. Look out for them!
Interesting natural brands getting some traction in the beauty world are, for example, lavera, i&m, Martina Gebhardt and Hildegard Braukman. Drugstore chain dm’s own label Alverde is a sure hit, as well. (And very cheap.) I also like Luvos and Kneipp (wonderful stuff for your bath!). Generally, though, I rely on conventional skincare brands and don’t feel really equipped to write about the natural side of skincare.
Weleda & Dr. Hauschka
I won’t cover beauty brands rooted in antroposophic beliefs like Weleda and Dr. Hauschka. While both brands fit the bill of ‘natural and organic’, the whole religious adjacent background makes me uncomfortable, and I honestly don’t believe that ‘rhythmic movement’ might prolong the shelf life of products (no joke, that’s an actual thing).
What I also don’t love: together with other ‘natural’ brands they sponsored a blog that would attack critics of their products, and start smear attacks against critical journalists. (German newspapers covered this here and here.) Thank you, no. And lastly: I like my skincare products to be as alcohol- and fragrance-free as possible. Soooooo not the case with those two.
A short detour to pharmacy brands: Dermasence and Eucerin
Both brands advertise their close connection to dermatologists heavily and call themselves ‘medicinal skincare brand’. They both have a wide product range, including skin and body care products. They aren’t natural, nor brands that rely heavily on actives, but pick aspects from both quarters. I rely a lot on their body care products: A lot of you will know Eucerin’s Aquaphor, but I like Dermasence’s Adtop a lot more.
Little known fact: in Germany, if you order something at a pharmacy, they’ll very likely be able to get that for you at the same day. Isn’t that amazing? I love that.
The grandfather of all creams: Nivea
The first tin consisting the basic moisturiser (it was yellow back then) was sold in 1911, and today, the Nivea brand offers everything from skincare to body care, hair care, makeup, scented candles and fragrances (with their iconic scent), and lots of stuff I couldn’t come up with if I tried (I mean, plushies?!).
Why?
Their OG cream is basically an occlusive moisturiser (more here, and a fun story about its relationship to La Mer here), but I can recommend their Labello lip range (every German schoolgirl’s introduction to lip balm), and body care. I love their hand lotion right now, and miiiiight even have considered their fragrance. (It IS iconic.)
G-Beauty best brands overview
I included a lot of links, but necessarily, most are in German. Google translate is your friend! BUT: Nivea, for example, has country-specific sites, Eucerin has an English site, as has Babor, and a lot of brands mentioned here are available via amazon. (apohealth is a German storefront that delivers both to the US and UK, for example.) Especially smaller brands will be happy to assist you with questions (both Highdroxy and Beyer & Söhne’s CS is excellent!).
TBC…
There’re so many more brands I would’ve loved to show you (the drugstore and pharmacy brands would need their own post!), but I hope this overview is helpful and will encourage you to try some new products! (Here’s a helpful post about beauty shopping in Germany.)
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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