You apply cream to your face every day. But do you know what's really in it? Mineral oil, parabens, microplastics, PEGs – many drugstore creams contain substances that have no business being there. Here are the 7 worst offenders – and what we do differently.
Quick Answer
Most conventional creams contain cheap fillers that make your skin "feel good" in the short term, but offer little long-term care – or can even cause harm. The better choice: products that clearly declare their ingredients and consciously avoid problematic substances. This guide shows you what to look out for.
The 7 ingredients you should never let touch your skin again
1 Mineral oil (Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum)
Mineral oil is one of the cheapest ingredients in the cosmetics industry. It feels smooth, but doesn't really nourish – it covers the skin like a plastic film. The real problem: Stiftung Warentest (German consumer organization) examined 25 mineral oil-based cosmetics and found critical substances in all of them – including MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons), which are considered potentially carcinogenic. [Source: Stiftung Warentest]
Note: Mineral oil doesn't nourish your skin – it only feigns care. And it can contain potentially carcinogenic MOAH.
2 Parabens (Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben)
Parabens are cheap preservatives. The problem: they can act like estrogens in the body. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has investigated the hormonal effects of parabens and set limit values. [Source: BfR] A PubMed review describes parabens as "Chemicals of Emerging Concern" with endocrine-disrupting potential. [Source: PubMed]
Does that mean every paraben-containing cream is immediately dangerous? No – but it means: If there are paraben-free alternatives, why shouldn't you use them?
3 Microplastics (Polyethylene, Nylon-12, Acrylates Copolymer)
According to NABU, 977 tons of microplastics and 46,900 tons of dissolved polymers from cosmetics enter wastewater in Germany alone every year. [Source: NABU] The Federal Environment Agency confirms that microplastics are used in cosmetics as abrasives and opacifying agents. [Source: Federal Environment Agency]
Why is this in your face cream? Because it's cheap. There is not a single skincare benefit for your skin.
4 PEG compounds (PEG-40, PEG-100 Stearate)
PEGs (polyethylene glycols) are used as emulsifiers to combine water and oil in creams. The criticism: PEGs can disrupt the skin's natural barrier function and make it more permeable to harmful substances. [Source: hautinfo.at] Furthermore, they can be contaminated with ethylene oxide (carcinogenic) and 1,4-dioxane. [Source: Utopia]
5 Silicones (Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane)
Silicones instantly make your skin feel "silky." But they don't nourish – they just form a film over it. The skin feels soft but isn't nourished. The real problem is that silicones are not easily biodegradable and persist in the environment. In skincare, they replace genuine nourishment with a smoothing sensation.
Ask yourself: Do you want a cream that truly nourishes your skin, or one that just makes it feel that way?
6 Synthetic fragrances (Parfum / Fragrance)
Behind the word "Parfum" on the INCI list can hide hundreds of different chemicals – manufacturers do not have to list them individually. BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany) recommends paying attention to hormonal disruptors in cosmetics and using the ToxFox app. [Source: BUND]
A good cream doesn't need synthetic fragrance. If it smells good, it should be due to real ingredients – not chemicals from the lab.
7 SLS / SLES (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / Sodium Laureth Sulfate)
SLS and SLES are aggressive surfactants that create the "foaming effect" in cleansing products. They can dry out, irritate, and attack the skin's natural protective barrier. This is particularly problematic for sensitive, dry, or irritated skin – precisely the people who most rely on gentle care.
The short version: Mineral oil feigns nourishment. Parabens have hormonal effects. Microplastics destroy the environment. PEGs make the skin more permeable. Silicones smooth but don't nourish. Synthetic fragrances hide hundreds of chemicals. SLS dries out the skin. – None of these substances are necessary to create good skincare.
Okay – so what's the solution?
The good news: There are brands that consciously avoid all these substances – not because it's a marketing trick, but because it's simply not necessary to use them when developing sensible formulations.
At Hemp4Help, we decided from the start: No parabens. No mineral oil. No microplastics. No silicones. No PEGs. No synthetic fragrances. Instead: real plant-based ingredients like organic arnica, comfrey, hemp oil, propolis, Manuka honey, beeswax, frankincense, and aloe vera.
What we use instead
| Problematic Substance | What we use instead | Why this is better |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral oil / Paraffin | Organic hemp oil, almond oil, jojoba oil | Genuine nourishment with fatty acids that the skin absorbs |
| Parabens | Natural preservation (e.g., rosemary extract, vitamin E) | No endocrine-disrupting potential |
| Microplastics | Nothing – we don't need it | Zero environmental impact |
| PEGs | Natural emulsifiers (e.g., beeswax, lecithin) | No disruption of the skin's barrier |
| Silicones | Shea butter, beeswax, vegetable oils | Real nourishment instead of smoothing fake |
| Synthetic fragrances | Essential oils and natural raw materials | Fragrance from real plants |
| SLS / SLES | Mild, plant-based surfactants | Cleans without drying out the skin |
Ready for the difference?
All Hemp4Help products are free of parabens, mineral oil, microplastics, silicones, and synthetic fragrances. Vegan, dermatologically tested, made in the EU.
Discover all products Bestseller: Propolis Salve3 products that show how to do it better
✓ Organic Propolis Salve
Inspired by a 16th-century apothecary recipe. With organic propolis, Manuka honey, beeswax, and hemp/CBD. For dry, itchy, irritated skin. Plastic-free aluminum tube.
✓ Organic HEMP Horse Balm Extra Strong
With 17 organic herbal extracts, arnica, devil's claw, and comfrey. Warming, circulation-promoting, intensive. For muscle and joint pain, tension, and osteoarthritis.
✓ Hemp Arnica Therapy Cream
Highly concentrated arnica balm with organic hemp, frankincense, MSM, chili, and turmeric. For swelling, bruising, inflamed skin, and muscle pain.
Conclusion
You don't have to be a chemist to question your skincare. You just need to turn over the INCI list once and read it. If it says Paraffinum Liquidum, Methylparaben, Dimethicone, PEG-40, and "Parfum," you now know: This isn't a skincare product. It's a cheap filler cocktail with a smoothing effect.
Real skincare needs real ingredients. Hemp oil, arnica, propolis, beeswax, shea butter – things your skin actually absorbs and can benefit from. Not plastic, not petroleum, not industrial chemicals.
In one sentence: Stop giving your skin fillers. Give it real nourishment.
Make a difference – now.
All products: vegan, paraben-free, microplastic-free, silicone-free, mineral oil-free. Made in the EU. Dermatologically tested.
To the shop Read more guidesFAQ
Is mineral oil in cosmetics really dangerous?
Stiftung Warentest found critical substances (MOAH) in all 25 mineral oil-based cosmetics tested, which are considered potentially carcinogenic. [Source]
Are parabens safe in small amounts?
The BfR has set limit values within which the risk is considered low. [Source] The question is: Why take a risk when good alternatives exist?
Do silicones clog pores?
This is controversial. High-quality silicones are considered non-comedogenic. The problem is rather that they simulate genuine nourishment without actually nourishing the skin – and that they are environmentally problematic.
How can I identify microplastics on the INCI list?
Typical names: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Nylon-12, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates Crosspolymer. BUND recommends the free ToxFox app for scanning. [Source]
Are all natural ingredients automatically better?
No. Natural substances can also cause allergies (e.g., propolis in case of bee product allergy). The decisive factor is not "natural vs. synthetic" but: Is the ingredient sensible, safe, transparently declared?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is mineral oil in cosmetics carcinogenic?
Mineral oil itself is not directly carcinogenic, but it can be contaminated with MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons), which are considered potentially carcinogenic. Stiftung Warentest detected MOAH in all 25 mineral oil-based cosmetics tested and therefore advises against mineral oil bases, especially in lip care. [Source: Stiftung Warentest]
2. How do parabens affect hormone balance?
Certain parabens (e.g., butylparaben, propylparaben) can act like estrogens in the body. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has investigated this and set limit values to keep the risk low. A PubMed review classifies parabens as "Chemicals of Emerging Concern" with endocrine-disrupting potential. This does not mean that every paraben-containing cream is immediately harmful – but there is no reason to take the risk when paraben-free alternatives exist. [Source: BfR] · [Source: PubMed]
3. How much microplastic enters the environment through cosmetics?
According to a NABU study, 977 tons of microplastics and around 46,900 tons of dissolved polymers from cosmetic and cleaning products enter wastewater in Germany alone each year. The Federal Environment Agency confirms that microplastics are used in cosmetics as abrasives and opacifying agents – without any skincare benefit for the skin. [Source: NABU] · [Source: Federal Environment Agency]
4. How do I identify harmful ingredients on the packaging?
The INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) on the back of each product lists all ingredients in descending order. Pay particular attention to: Paraffinum Liquidum (mineral oil), Methylparaben / Butylparaben (parabens), Dimethicone (silicones), Polyethylene or Nylon-12 (microplastics) and PEG compounds. BUND recommends the free ToxFox app, with which you can directly scan products and check for hormonal disruptors, PFAS, and microplastics. [Source: BUND]
5. Are natural ingredients automatically better than synthetic ones?
Not automatically. Natural substances can also cause allergies – for example, propolis in case of bee product allergy (DermNet reports patch test rates of 1.2–6.6%) or essential oils for sensitive skin. The decisive point is not "natural vs. synthetic" but: Is the ingredient sensible, safe, transparently declared, and actually nourishing? Cheap fillers like mineral oil and silicones do not meet these criteria. [Source: DermNet]
Important note: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for dermatological or medical advice. Sources: Stiftung Warentest, BfR, PubMed, NABU, Umweltbundesamt, BUND, Utopia.