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Spending $305 on 50 ml of a moisturizing face cream sounds a little outrageous – even for someone who lives and breathes all things beauty. But, there’s an allure to Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream, and a reason why the brand has cultivated a loyal fanbase of celebrities and beauty enthusiasts around the globe.
I remember seeing the dark blue bottle on the shelves of plenty of celebrities – like Jennifer Aniston, Margot Robbie, and Hailey Bieber – when it first launched. Most recently, singer Dua Lipa casually pulled it out of her Birkin during a segment of Vogue’s “In The Bag.” The brand has even collaborated with fashion icon Victoria Beckham and most recently with La Bonne Brosse N.04 for a luxurious Augustinus Bader blue brush.
Created by Augustinus Bader, a German biomedical scientist and expert in regenerative medicine in 2018, the eponymous brand launched with two key SKUs: The Cream and The Rich Cream. The latter is a richer or denser version of the lightweight “The Cream.”
The first time I tested out The Rich Cream I was getting married in 2019, and I remember coming across the gorgeous blue bottle in Neiman Marcus. It just screamed, “luxe face cream that will change your skin!” I liked the product but didn’t use it continually because I was busy figuring out my bridal routine of facials before the big day. A few years later, I’m finally in a place where I understand what my skin needs. Looking for a moisturizer, I was excited to give it a try.
If you’re wondering if it’s worth splurging on Augustinus Bader’s $305 The Rich Cream, I’m breaking it all down for you because that’s what beauty besties are for. Read on to see my unfiltered review and if it’s worth it.
We like
- Leaves your skin hydrated
- Doesn’t leave a residue
- Doesn’t pill under makeup
- Great long term benefits with continued use
We don't like
- Extremely pricey for 50 ml of product
- Takes some time to rub product in
About The Rich Cream
The Rich Cream is a luxury moisturizer that promises to help “reduce the signs of aging including the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.” With a name like that, I expected my skin to feel like a million bucks – and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed.
The rich, thick moisturizer is meant for normal to dry skin, including more mature skin, and for those who live in colder, drier climates. It‘s touted for its patented complex called TFC8 (more on that later), plus omega-6 fatty acids, and evening primrose oil. It is also supposed to deeply hydrate and renew your skin leaving you with softer, even skin. The cream also promises to help maintain your skin's elasticity while also supporting your skin barrier function leaving you with plumper skin.
The Secret Ingredient
The key ingredient in The Rich Cream is the patented Trigger Factor Complex, aka TFC8, a proprietary blend of natural amino acids and vitamins designed to regenerate the skin on a cellular level for a firmer, bouncier, and smoother complexion.
When Bader was creating a wound gel that helped rehabilitate the skin of burn victims, TFC8 was the breakthrough ingredient that put him on the map. It was inspired by over 30 years of research and clinical studies, which is pretty impressive since a lot of brands don’t even opt for clinical studies since they are so costly. The patented ingredient is also supposed to help address the concern of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and damage.
How To Apply
To start off, I removed my makeup with Sofie Pavitt’s Micellar Wipes and double cleansed with my new favorite The Outset Micellar Water Cleanser to remove any excess debris or dirt off my skin to make sure it’s fresh and clean. On cleansed, dry skin I took two pumps of the cream onto my hand and applied it over my face, neck, and décolleté. I wanted to follow the directions to a T, especially since the consistency was thick with an emollient feel.
The brand recommends applying the cream in an upward sweeping motion and along your jawline. The directions say to then “sweep from your nose to your ears and across your forehead and massage cream over the cheeks to your temples.” To really see the benefits, the brand recommends only using a cleanser and The Rich Cream with no other serums.
Lastly, apply the moisturizer from the base of your beck up to your chin and use any leftover cream to apply on your décolleté. Overall, I ended up using about 3 pumps of the product to apply it in all the recommended places.
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We don't like
We like
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The Final Results
While the packaging of the gold design against the dark blue hue and magnetic cap made the product itself feel very luxe, the goop inside the bottle also did a fabulous job of making me feel like I have impeccably soft skin.
The consistency reminded me of La Mer’s iconic Creme de la Mer, where you have to warm it up in your hands before applying and massage it into your skin. After about four weeks of continuous use, my skin did feel more moisturized and I appreciated that my skin didn’t have a dewy finish or a sticky residue after application. I also liked that it was fragrance-free and vegan.
Did I see a major difference in my skin after immediate use? Not necessarily. But, I did feel a difference in the elasticity of my skin when used over three weeks, and I have a good feeling that with continuous use, it will only get better. It’s definitely a product that you need to use for the long haul to reap all of its benefits (again, it's backed by 30 years of research and clinical trials to showcase said benefits). I will continue to use the product all through the winter but I may swap for a lighter moisturizer come summer.
So, let’s get down to it. Is it worth the $305 price tag? I would say it’s a nice to have, not a need to have. I’m still diehard for my classic, more affordable moisturizers like Avene and La Roche-Posay, and I found myself wanting to reach for them sometimes because of just how expensive The Rich Cream was and I wanted to make the bottle last even longer.
It’s worth the steep price tag if you’re able to afford it and are looking for a product with long-term benefits but for most of us, it may be a nice gift for yourself to save up for if you’re a skincare junkie.
If you’re not ready to spend the hefty price tag but still want to test it out, you can purchase the travel-sized 15ml bottle for $92 (which is still expensive but at least you can see if it’s worth it for yourself!).
Overall, if you deal with dry skin and are looking for a splurge that will make you feel and look luxurious (and you’re willing to spend time to see an actual difference with continual use), this is the beauty treat your skin has been dreaming of. It’ll leave your skin’s texture looking brighter, fresher, and more hydrated.
Shop the products online at Augstinus Bader.
