Everything to know about cult skincare brand loved by the stars
Every few years, one skincare brand becomes the most talked-about in the world. Right now, that is Augustinus Bader. With an endless list of celebrity fans and a global cult following among beauty editors and those in-the-know, the brand – founded by a German physician and biomedical scientist – is a major investment, so it pays to understand why everyone is so obsessed with it, in particular its hero product, The Cream.
So, why is everyone talking about Augustinus Bader? And, if you're ready to invest in the pricey beauty products, which ones are right for your skin? Here is everything you need to know about Augustinus Bader, including where to buy the products in Australia.
Who is Augustinus Bader?
The brand was founded by Professor Augustinus Bader, a German physician and biomedical scientist who made a name for himself in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. For 30 years, Professor Bader led research and development in technology that harnesses the human body's capacity to heal, which resulted in a groundbreaking gel that can heal severe skin trauma in burn patients without the need to undergo surgery or skin grafts.
From there, Professor Bader decided to patent TFC8® or Trigger Factor Complex, a technology included in the brand's products that helps to train skin so it renews itself over time, meaning skin should feel healthier, firmer, and stronger with continuous use. The technology addresses the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, redness, hyperpigmentation, cellulite, and stretch marks, too.
What are the best Augustinus Bader products?
While the entire Augustinus Bader brand is well-loved by beauty editors and celebrities alike, with many using multiple products in their skincare routine, it's the launch products – The Cream and The Rich Cream – that have really stood the test of time and remain the most popular and highest-selling among the 20+ products available.
Essentially two versions of the same product, the main difference between The Cream and The Rich Cream is around nourishment. The Cream is lighter and features vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B5, aloe vera juice, shea butter and hydrolysed rice protein alongside the TFC8® technology. It is also fragrance-free and calming, formulated for daily use in a light enough texture so even those with acne-prone and oily skin can benefit from use.
In contrast, The Rich Cream is formulated with a focus on deeper hydration for those with dry skin. Ingredients such as evening primrose oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, argan oil and avocado oil help nourish and soothe skin, helping to smooth dry patches and provide extra comfort for tight skin.
What is The Cream like to use?
I was lucky enough to road-test The Cream and The Rich Cream by Augustinus Bader recently.
The Cream is lightweight and has a gel-like consistency that still feels nourishing on the skin, but isn't heavy. I have mildly sensitive skin and didn't have a reaction to the product, likely because it doesn't have any intense active ingredients beyond the TFC8® technology. This bodes well for those who struggle to use anti-ageing products that rely on actives like retinol and chemical exfoliants.
The Rich Cream was too heavy for my skin, which is combination with oiliness on my T-zone. It's certainly not as heavy as some moisturisers I've used but has a thicker consistency than The Cream. That being said, it was definitely the most nourishing, and I ended up using it in the evenings. I woke up, and my skin still felt hydrated.
Over a few weeks, I saw some results. These were not dramatic, but they were consistent. Most noticeable was a more even skin texture, with far less dullness. My skin really glowed! In terms of fine lines, I found those around my eyes and mouth had softened a little, but this might be because the products are so hydrating.
What was most impressive was that I could use The Cream and The Rich Cream every morning and night without skin irritation. Anyone with sensitive skin knows the most difficult part of developing an anti-ageing skin routine is being able to consistently use products that contain ingredients to fight fine lines and signs of ageing. Because the Augustinus Bader products didn't irritate my skin at all, I could make them my new skincare routine with ease.
What celebrities are fans of Augustinus Bader?
A major driving factor in the rise of Augustinus Bader has been the wave of celebrities who have publicly supported the brand. Some of the most beautiful people in Hollywood use Augustinus Bader products regularly.
Victoria Beckham reaches for The Rich Cream on days when her skin is dry and is such a massive fan of the brand she even developed her own range with Augustinus Bader. "I've noticed such a difference with my skin since I've been using both of these products," she told Byrdie. "As has my husband [David Beckham], we share skincare, and David uses this every day. We have genuinely noticed the sizes of our pores are smaller, the fine lines around our eyes are lighter."
The seemingly ageless Kim Kardashian is also a fan of Augustinus Bader. To prep her dewy skin look for her turn as Marilyn Monroe at The Met Gala in 2022, makeup artist Mario Dedanovic exclusively used Bader products, including The Cream Cleansing Gel, The Essence, and The Cream to finish.
While filming the Apple TV+ series Morning Wars, Jennifer Aniston shared a snap from her makeup chair, which revealed some of the products she used to prep her skin for the bright lights and closeups. Among them? Augustinus Bader's The Cream.
Other celebrities who are reported to be fans of the brand are Charlize Theron, Courteney Cox, Margot Robbie, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Oh, Dakota Johnson, and Hailey Bieber. That's a pretty impressive lineup!
How Much Do Augustinus Bader products cost?
The Cream and The Rich Cream retail at $139 for a 15ml bottle, through to a very pricey $437 for 50ml. So this product is definitely an investment.
On the cheaper end of the scale, you can try the famous TFC8® technology in The Essence, a combination chemical exfoliator and hydrating toner. It retails for $47.
If you want to try in-store, Augustinus Bader is now available at Mecca in Australia.
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