While UVB rays cause dangerous sunburn, UVA rays can age the skin faster and promote wrinkles. In addition, both types of radiation (in the worst case) can cause skin cancer. It is all the more important to protect the skin from the sun – especially on the face, as this is where the rays are most often exposed. Even on cloudy days when there is no sunbeam on the horizon. This should be possible with a day cream that contains a sun protection factor. According to Stiftung Warentest, however, many brands do not keep what they promise. The consumer organization tested eleven products. The results were published in March 2021.
In the test, expensive brands were scrutinized as well as cheap products from the drugstore. Among other things, the moisture content (for the skin), the application, the skin feel and of course the UV protection were evaluated – i.e. whether this was maintained. It turned out that five day creams were defective. The expensive products in particular failed the test. On the other hand, only four items received the grade “good”, almost all of them from the budget segment, the grade “satisfactory” at least two. The test winner of the test series was a moisturizing day cream with SPF 15 from Balea for normal and combination skin, which is available from dm.
Among the four products that received the grade “good” according to Stiftung Warentest, there are – in addition to the test winner – the following:
2nd place: day cream with SPF from Nivea
According to the manufacturer, the day cream from Nivea is suitable for normal and combination skin. It contains vitamin E and antioxidants, is intended to moisturize the skin for up to 24 hours and – thanks to SPF 15 – protect the face from premature skin aging (caused by the sun). Stiftung Warentest awarded this product the grade “good” (1.9). The promised UV protection and moisture enrichment particularly stood out in the test.
3rd place: Day cream with SPF 15 from The Body Shop
Body Shop’s aloe day cream was also rated “good” (2.1). According to the manufacturer, it is suitable for sensitive skin types. According to the product test, the sun protection factor keeps what it promises – this also applies to the moisture enrichment, application and skin feel. Compared to the first-place winners, however, the product is significantly more expensive to buy, which could certainly put off one or the other.
4th place: Day Cream with SPF 20 by Yves Rocher
According to Stiftung Warentest, the day cream from Yves Rocher also scored “good” (2.5). According to the manufacturer, it is suitable for normal and combination skin and has a higher sun protection factor than the first three places. In addition to the SPF, the skin feel was also rated positively. In return, the moisture enrichment was only rated as satisfactory. All in all, a solid fourth place for the day cream.
You can read the entire review here (for a fee).
Source: Stiftung Warentest
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