As a beauty editor, there’s one luxury beauty brand that I’m always asked about due to its frankly ludicrous price tags, and that’s Augustinus Bader.
Boasting a plethora of celebrity fans, from Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie to Victoria Beckham and Kim K, the brand’s cult moisturiser is one of the buzziest skincare products ever—despite its eye-watering £225 price tag. And its popularity shows no sign of dwindling, either. Open any luxury beauty advent calendar this year—Cult Beauty, Space NK, Liberty, Net-A-Porter, Selfridges, I could go on—and you’ll find an Augustinus Bader product inside.
However, I’m a firm believer that decent products don’t have to cost the earth. After all, I’ve been lucky enough as a beauty editor to have tried some of the most expensive beauty brands around and I can confirm that spending big doesn’t always mean that the formula is any good. In fact, some of my most-used and recommended products come courtesy of budget brands.
So, why exactly are these skincare products so damn expensive and is Augustinus Bader actually worth the hype?
Why’s there so much fuss about Augustinus Bader?
The thing that sets Augustinus Bader apart from other skincare brands on the market is the impressive amount of science and research behind the products. And the key to all of it lies with the brand’s founder—Augustinus Bader himself.
Before founding the brand, Professor Augustinus Bader worked as the head of stem cell research at the University of Leipzig. His extensive research in understanding how our skin heals in order to aid burn victims led him to the creation of Trigger Factor Complex, or TFC8, which is a patented technology at the heart of the Augustinus Bader brand.
It’s this technology that is really the brand’s superpower, and it provides the basis of every single Augustinus Bader product. The purpose of TFC8 is to support and enhance your skin’s natural capacity for cellular renewal while helping the formulas to adapt to your skin’s specific concerns — for me that might be pigmentation while for you it might be dull skin. Basically, you’re getting highly personalised and effective skincare.
Is it worth all the hype?
Like anything, skincare is all relative—what works for me, might not work for you. And it’s also worth mentioning that we’re all living through a cost of living crisis right now, so I’m not here to tell you that these ultra-expensive products are essential purchases when they’re not. You can definitely find efficacious skincare at the supermarket for a snip of the cost.
However, cost aside, I do think that the Augustinus Bader products work. Over the years I’ve tried much of the brand’s offering and, when used regularly, my skin genuinely looks so much smoother in texture, more even in tone, and the scarring that I have from old spots is reduced. If I was loaded then, without question, I’d make these products a part of my regular routine.
However, there is no getting around the fact that this is a luxury purchase. But if you are in the market for a major treat yourself moment or want to add something special to your Christmas list then these are six of the best Augustinus Bader products that are worth the hype.
The OG cream
The moisturiser that started it all, Augustinus Bader launched back in 2018 with just this product and The Rich Cream—a more heavyweight version of this formula. For me, this really comes into its own when your skin is looking tired or sallow and you want to add back some juiciness and glow. It really does leave skin looking fresh, smooth and bright. Plus, I’ve lost count of the number of makeup artist’s kits that I’ve spotted this in as it makes a brilliant base for makeup.
The under-the-radar cleanser
While it’s the brand’s moisturisers that seem to attract the most buzz, Augustinus Bader also has a decent cleanser offering and this balm is brilliant. Perfect for removing every single scrap of makeup at night, it has a butter texture that’s infused with squalane, avocado and olive oils, and vitamin E. Honestly, it feels so luxurious to use yet it has, of course, been expertly formulated so there’s no risk of clogging pores or weighing skin down with products if you’re prone to breakouts like me.
The power player
Generally speaking, I give essences a miss in my skincare routine as I don’t feel like they do much. However, in my opinion, this one is the most under rated product in the entire Augustinus Bader skincare lineup.
It’s actually a hardworking exfoliator that contains phytic acid to boost cell turnover, salicylic acid to exfoliate pores, and gluconolactone to lift away dead skin cells for bright, baby-soft skin. Genuinely, I’ve been for facials and had less impressive results.
The affordable entry point
If you want a taste of the Augustinus Bader brand, but don’t want to break the bank by doing so, then these under-eye masks are a decent place to start; although, it is £17 for a one-off indulgence. I look perpetually tired and usually wake up to dark circles and puffiness, but these eye patches do a somewhat incredible job of making me look like I’m actually awake thanks to a brightening infusion of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and allantoin—along with the brand’s supercharged technology.
The dry skin saviour
Typically, I’m not a fan of face oils, so for one that costs £195 to make this list proves that this is something slightly special. Yes, if you have dry skin then you’ll definitely enjoy using this blend of regenerating botanical oils, but for me it’s the inclusion of bacteria-busting karanja that makes this a cut above other face oils. As someone whose prone to spots, it offers antimicrobial benefits that calms inflammation and actually reduces how regularly I break out—in stark contrast to traditional face oils which can clog my pores.
The full-body treat
I moisturise my body as religiously as my face so I know what I like when it comes to body lotions—and this one is up there with the best of them. It is deeply hydrating and magics away even the driest of patches (I find it particularly good at tackling dry knees and elbows) yet it feels impressively lightweight. There is no hint of residue at all after applying this, just smooth, toned, glowy-looking limbs.
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