The Stripe

Augustinus Bader has been my favorite face cream now for just about two years. I use it every day, without fail. If I’m testing something new for night, I make sure to apply Dr. Bader in the morning – and vice versa if I’m testing something for morning. It’s a compulsion – I am die hard. Today I wanted to update my review with a little more detail on why I love it so much (and where to get it since they’ve expanded distribution), and also provide an FAQ on Bader as I get asked about it nearly every day!

Prior to trying out Dr. Bader, it had been a while since anything had really, truly knocked my socks off. I mean I try a lot of stuff and have my tried + true favs so for a product to work itself DEEPLY into my rotation is pretty major. Dr. Bader has become a bit of an overnight sensation. He’s a makeup artist favorite, he’s been featured all over the place, with just a few products!

I was initially lured in by his story – it’s a good one!

He’s a professor of stem cell biology and overall humanitarian. The central focus of his work involves stem cell biology and helping burn victims; and his greatest desire is to figure out a scar-free healing treatment for the disfigured. Pretty cool right? Yeah. Dr. Bader’s biggest breakthrough came through with a medical grade hydrogel. It eliminated the need for skin grafts, and made healing SO much easier… inspiring him to create life changing treatments for the underprivileged.

Amazing, right? But how does this involve us (and our wrinkles, LOL)? Well. To finance those life changing treatments, he needed to create a viable business, right? An advisor suggested using this same breakthrough technology to create an anti-aging cream and from there The Cream and The Rich Cream were born. These creams launched in February 2018 and I have been hooked ever since. It’s heavy on science and it WORKS.  The Cream is a lighter formulation – it’s soft and weightless… and hydrates – the perfect day cream. The Rich Cream though, is my favorite as it’s really dense and creamy (like my beloved La Mer).

Dr. Augustinus Bader The Cream Review

This face cream is amazing. Life changing, even. It will revolutionize your skin care routine and is one of the best beauty products I’ve tried this year. If anti aging is your goal, this should be the one product you try.

I know I sound dramatic but it’s become the product I reach for, morning and night. And I am a blogger who gets sent everything under the sun. I’ve noticed my biggest skin flaws (redness, fine lines) reducing. My skin is so much more smooth, even, and supple. I CANNOT recommend it enough. It’s the best moisturizer I’ve tried in ages. And yes it’s expensive, but the bottle lasts a surprisingly long time and it is truly the most high-tech cream I’ve ever tried. Prepare to be obsessed – and hear a LOT more about this man, and his creams.

Ingredients

Both creams contain TFC8 – Dr. Bader’s trigger factor complex, comprised of amino acids, vitamins, and molecules naturally found in skin. It creates an optimal environment for repair and renewal and will ultimately help to slow (and reverse) the skin ageing process.

Dr. Augustinus Bader Skincare Benefits

Both creams are designed to minimize frown lines and wrinkles (I pack The Rich Cream on at night around my eyes to help with those. In using them, my skin is immediately more hydrated. Over time it’s smoother, more glowy, and fine lines are less noticeable. Whether your concerns are wrinkles fine lines age spots or just general dehydration, this is the cream for you!!!

The only thing is that you shouldn’t use a serum if you use this – it needs to be the first thing on your skin so that the ingredients are the first thing your skin absorbs. You an apply oil afterward if your skin needs it, but let the cream fully absorb first.

Annnnd also… for each bottle purchased, ten percent of profits go to the Augustinus Bader Foundation to help those who need it most!

Dr. Augustinus Bader FAQ

Where can I buy Dr. Bader?

You can buy Dr. Bader at Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, Blue Mercury, Neiman Marcus and Violet Grey. I will say that if you are nervous about trying it, Nordstrom has the best return policy out of the bunch.

How long does a bottle last?

I typically use four pumps per application and a bottle lasts me 3-4 months.

How about the body cream?

Read my review here. I love the body cream and think that it’s a great product BUT if you are going to spend the money, the face cream is where it’s at. Several people have asked me if I think it’s a good idea to put the body cream on the face to save money/get more product and I think they’re really different products. Generally, it’s not a great idea to put body cream on your face so I’m going to give a hard no on that!

Do you know if this can be used in combination with Retin A? (I would continue Retin A a few nights a week and use this on off days)

I don’t use Retin A so can’t speak to it exactly BUT I would recommend using it the way I use retinol. The thing with Dr. Bader is that you aren’t supposed to put anything on your face in between cleansing and toning and applying the cream. So they discourage you to use a serum, retinol, etc. I do retinol or a peel a few times a week and when I do that, I skip Bader (but am sure to apply in the AM).

On retinol nights, I will wash my face and apply toner, and then retinol – followed by a thick coat of moisturizer. (I apply the retinol, brush my teeth while it sinks in, and then apply moisturizer. Right now for my non Dr. Bader cream, I really like Weleda Skin Food. I love all of Weleda’s creams – they’re ultra gentle and extremely hydrating. Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream is another favorite.

As always, talk to your derm (sorry I know I’m repetitive but I can’t stress that enough) but I think you’ll probably be fine using Dr. Bader on the nights you don’t use Retin A. While it’s an anti-aging moisturizer, it doesn’t actively exfoliate and it’s really gentle. I find it to be the perfect complement to using peels or retinol.

I’m really confused by the Dr. Bader product! I know you’re not supposed to use anything under it but I love using P50 and SK-II!

Okay. So a little confession. I don’t always follow the instructions. Most mornings, I still use SK-II before the Dr. Bader.

If you’re using P50 I would say to use something else (maybe the Weleda?) just so that you don’t waste the Dr. Bader since it’s so expensive. Kind of like the nights I do retinol. Since it’s so active, I count P50 more as a peel than a toner. Everyone will have a different view here!

I’m very intrigued by the Augustinus Bader cream but I’m a pretty loyal La Mer user. I know from your posts that you’ve used both. Can you weigh in on the differences?

I would say that hydration-wise, Dr. Bader’s The Rich Cream is very similar to classic La Mer, whereas The Cream (the lighter version) is very similar to La Mer’s Soft Cream.

Both are power moisturizers – they lock in moisture and leave my skin glowy and hydrated all day long. I love La Mer but I personally prefer Dr. Bader. I find it to be a little more high tech and have noticed a visible improvement in my skin since starting to use it. You can read all about the technology in Dr. Bader’s creams in this post. That being said, I love La Mer when I have a cold. It’s the only cream that heals that chapped red skin around my nose when I’m sick and blowing my nose a lot. I haven’t found anything that works quite as well on chapped red skin.

photography by Trent Bailey.