18 cosmetic products in comparison: mascara test with unsettling results - even neurotoxin discovered

Keep your eyes open when buying mascara: the range is large, but not all mascara articles are harmless.

A new eco-test in the field of cosmetics explains.

• Öko-Test compares 18 cosmetic products and publishes the results of the mascara test.

• Concerning residues were found in some products.

  In the worst case, there is a risk of cancer.

• Does the item depend on the price?

  The consumer portal also has a clear opinion on this.

• With our brand new

  consumer newsletter

  you will always stay up to date with consumer information and product recalls.

Munich - For many women, mascara is one of the indispensable utensils in the field of cosmetics, after all, made-up eyes can have a fascinating effect.

A mascara test by the

Öko-Test

portal

, however, comes to a very frightening conclusion.

Because in German retail there is one or the other mascara product to buy that is not at all harmless to health.

Mascara articles tested with light and shadow - an important finding when it comes to the price

Eight cosmetic utensils out of 18 tested articles do so badly that they should not be used.

The offers tested are a mixture of inexpensive own brands from drugstore chains as well as branded products from well-known consumer goods manufacturers with nobler names.

Mascara has been around for around 100 years to beautify the (mostly) female sex.

In the beginning, mascara consisted of coal dust and petroleum jelly, but in the course of constant further development, additives have long been in the formulations of many suppliers.

So it is not surprising that

in 2021

the

eco testers

also found fault with preservatives in some of the mascaras tested.

+

Mascara is one of the most popular make-up utensils.

© Olaf Döring / Imago

At first sight, the make-up tested promises more volume for the eyelashes, but what about the aspects of tolerance and health?

Mascara comparison by Öko-Test: natural cosmetics are convincing - but with one exception

Overall,

Öko-Test

rated

six out of seven natural cosmetic mascaras with the grade “very good”.

First and foremost, this is a respectable result, so this is not just about “greenwashing”.

What is striking about the comparison is that the price is by no means important.

The own brands of the drugstore dm and Rossmann also achieve respectable results.

The test winners at a glance:

• Alterra Fake Lash Effect Mascara, 01 deep black - Rossmann

• Alverde Glamorous Volume - dm

• Benecos Natural Mascara Vegan Volume, magic black - Cosmondial

• Dr.

  Hauschka Volume Mascara, black - Wala

• Lavera Butterfly Effect beautiful black - Laverana

• Sante Volume Sensation Mascara, 01 extra black - Logocos

However, there are also negative discoveries: Bei

Two mascaras were found to have a high amount of arsenic - a substance that is highly toxic and carcinogenic.

Traces of the neurotoxin were visible in the products Artdeco Volume Supreme Mascara and Terra Naturi Gold Bigger Volume Mascara.

The latter mascara product is even certified natural cosmetics.

However, the goods offered by the Müller drugstore ultimately scored “satisfactory” and are therefore comparatively in the middle.

How can it be that the harmful ingredient is still in the range today?

The EU generally bans the heavy metal in cosmetics, but tolerates it in quantities that are considered “technically unavoidable” in the manufacturing process.

The reason: Manufacturers usually use black iron oxide for the black color of mascaras.

Ferrous raw materials from nature are used for production.

These can be contaminated with heavy metals or other elements that occur naturally in the earth's crust and in the soil.

Mascara in the test: petroleum for the eyes and cancer risk due to paraffins

The preservation of mascaras is also a tricky thing: the small brush for the eye carries germs into the emulsion via the contact with the lashes.

Particularly close to the mucous membrane of the eyes, however, special compatibility is required - and in this area the

Öko-Test

comparison

judges

critically about some

test

persons.

For example, the Max Factor brand mascara is preserved with propyl paraben. 

In addition to iron oxide, many mascaras also contain paraffins.

The problem: The synthetic fats are based on petroleum and - if not properly cleaned - can be contaminated with aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH).

They can also include carcinogenic substances.

The commissioned laboratory detected such residues in seven mascaras.

Among the products that scored "unsatisfactory" in the test are two from the well-known manufacturer L'Oreal:

• Artdeco Volume Supreme Mascara, black 1 - Artdeco

• Catrice Lashes to kill mascara, ultra black - Cosnova

• L'Oréal Volume Million Lashes, extra-black - L'Oreal

• Manhattan Wow Wings mascara, black - Manhattan Cosmetics

• Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Mascara, very black - L'Oreal

• Nyx On the Rise Volume Liftscara, OTRL01 black - Nyx

• PS ... 3D Lash Effect Mascara, black - Primark

Another product from dm scores marginally better, with the rating “poor” - Trend it up Lash Allure Mascara, 010.

All mascara products were purchased in summer 2020 and then evaluated in the laboratory.

For almost half of the mascara articles tested, consumer advocates did not give a good report.

In a comparable test in 2019 there were on average better results, explains the portal.

There is now a suitable shampoo for almost every (hair) need.

The Stiftung Warentest recently selected the best product - with surprising results.

(PF)

List of rubric lists: © Olaf Döring / Imago