K-beauty, J-beauty, A-beauty. Beauty has been taking us around the world lately and there is some tight competition. Korea’s hydrating sheet masks and Australia’s natural formulas have beauty junkies buzzing, but there’s another strong contender: Germany. G-beauty is very much a thing. A lot of the products It girls are name-dropping all over Instagram come from Germany.
What Makes German Beauty Special
German beauty is no-nonsense and purposeful. Head of International Education and Training for QMS Medicosmetics Rowan Hall-Farrise says that G-beauty is health- and science-led, focusing on wellness and keeping your body (including your skin) in optimum condition. Amala Executive Director, Global Marketing Joi Ruud points out that German beauty is unique because it marries pioneering expertise with serious, science-backed results. Basically, the best of both worlds.
Board certified dermatologist and creator of Royal Fern Dr. Timm Golueke adds that German beauty brands are dedicated to using high-quality ingredients and clean production and also have stricter regulations to adhere to. “I always say that it’s like German engineering, but for your skin.”
Golueke explains that there’s an interest in harnessing the power of nature to treat skin. “We were taught that there are effective local ingredients that provide visible benefits. For example, the royal fern plant that is the star ingredient in the patented Royal Fern Complex found in our products is grown in Germany.”
Hate gimmicks? You’ll love German beauty. “We tend to not follow fads, but instead use our experience to bring the most effective products to our clients,” says Golueke. Hall-Farrise seconds this. “German beauty sticks to the science-led ethos rather than being driven by fads, trends or fashion — so it’s timeless. People are looking for products with immediate and lasting results.”
G-Beauty Innovation
Hall-Farrise makes it clear that German beauty isn’t against new ingredients. It’s just that they must deliver top-notch results consistently to be considered. Ruud explains that brands are going beyond traditional botanicals, like lavender and rose, to breakthrough plant-derived actives from the latest natural biotechnology.
Now the rest of the world is catching on with more and more G-beauty brands becoming readily available. Check out the slideshow above to see the best G-beauty has to offer.
Why Everyone Cannot Get Enough Of German Beauty
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Royal Fern
Phytoactive Cleansing Balm, $85 at Neiman Marcus
Royal Fern harnesses the power of plants and relies on innovative research to produce patented and effective skin care products. Its Phytoactive Cleansing Balm actually nourishes skin thanks to hyaluronic acid, soothing cucumber and green tea extracts.
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Dr. Barbara Sturm
Glow Drops, $145 at Molecular Cosmetics
It's hard to look at any cool girl's skin care routine without seeing at least one glowing review for Dr. Barbara Sturm. Her brand's Glow Drops are a cult favorite for delivering that #STURMGLOW with a little help from potent polygonum bistorta root and two different weights of hyaluronic acid molecules.
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Nivea
Crème, $6.49 at Ulta Beauty
This drugstore favorite is already a staple in many bathroom cabinets. The Hamburg-based company launched in 1911 and all these years later, the nourishing formula still soothes those pesky scaly patches.
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Augustinus Bader
The Cream, $265 at Augustinus Bader
There are currently just a handful of products by this brand, but you don't have to have an armful of products when a few proven ones do the job. This cream uses the power of TFC8 and has an oil-in-water emulsion that's rich and hydrating yet still suitable for all skin types.
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QMS Medicosmetics
Advanced Collagen Concentrate Face Sheet Mask, $172.16 at QMS Medicosmetics
If QMS Medicosmetics isn't on your radar yet, pay attention. This splurge-worthy set of sheet masks has cutting-edge technology featuring pure collagen molecules, native collagen fibers and hyaluronic acid for plump complexions.
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Amala
Pre+Probiotic Hydrating Yogurt Mask, $68 at Amala
Amala has a body positive approach to beauty and wants to empower women through self-care and clean, all-natural products. Plus, it partners with Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit that strives to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mom. This nontoxic yogurt mask targets both dryness and redness and is a great way to keep your skin balanced as we move from fall into winter.
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Annemarie Börlind
Purifying Care Ultra Stick, $19.99 at Annemarie Börlind
Annemarie Börlind prides itself on targeting skin care concerns using ingredients that are as natural as possible. In fact, the products are made in Germany's legendary Black Forest. This easy-to-apply cleansing stick has salicylic acid and organic yarrow to target blackheads.
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Bynacht
Moonlit Meadows Moisturizer, $165 at Net-a-Porter
Beauty sleep is about to take on a whole new meaning. Bynacht is a luxury skin care brand that combines sleep and beauty. Its Moonlit Meadows Moisturizer creates a barrier over your skin to prevent dehydration while letting you get some shut-eye thanks to marine collagen, Japanese wakame seaweed and Arctic cranberry fruit extract.
