Spotted: The Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream on Sale for Up to 20 Percent Off
Value: 16/20
Functionality: 18/20
Ease of Use: 20/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Results: 19/20
TOTAL: 93/100
I may work in beauty, but that doesn’t make a celebrity-loved product any less appealing—it’s actually quite the opposite. And when that following includes Priyanka Chopra, Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworth and none other than Victoria Beckham, it’s enough for me to disregard every other beauty product on my vanity just to try it out.
That product is Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream. Developed by Professor Augustinus Bader, one of the world’s leading experts in stem cell research, The Rich Cream is 30 years in the making. Bader spent the past three decades researching the body’s capacity for self-healing and stem cell regeneration to create his heavily praised skincare line as well as a collaboration with Victoria Beckham herself. And when you take into consideration all the science that goes into it, the $280 price tag almost doesn’t seem too bad.
It’s not lost on me that The Rich Cream costs more than most skincare products in the average person’s routine. It’s even more expensive than Gwyneth Paltrow’s (and PureWow editors’) favorite Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, which goes for a cool $195 per one-ounce bottle. But it’s not just the cult status that makes it worth dropping a huge chunk of change on—it actually provides the results to back up Bader’s 30 years of research and Victoria Beckham’s Instagram praises: “I absolutely love this brand!!!”
Upon trying it for myself, my first impression was, wow this product is beautiful. It comes in the chicest royal blue, speckled bottle with a magnetic cap. To be honest, the packaging probably isn’t the most travel-friendly, because it’s so large. But it sure does feel fancy, and let’s be honest, it’s not like we’re jetting off to a tropical island in the immediate future. So onto my vanity it went.
Then there’s the product itself. True to its name, it’s rich. If you’ve ever tried Weleda Skin Food, it’s almost as thick as that, which leads me to believe that it might not be great for someone with naturally oily skin. However, when I applied two pumps (in upward motions), my combination skin drank it right up and it left an instant glow that even my mother noticed right away. I haven’t tried Bader’s The Cream for comparison, but I think it’s safe to say it works similarly for skin that doesn’t love heavy moisturizers.
I read that it only takes four days to notice a change in your skin and having tried hundreds of beauty products, I assumed it was a placebo effect if anything. But much to my amazement, my skin (which broke out like a 15-year-old during quarantine) was radiant, blemish-free and so much more hydrated after just a few days of use. I even noticed my dark spots fading before my eyes. I have never seen results this quickly from any product I’ve tested, period—including other pricey serums and treatments. If this moisturizer could do that, did I even need to bother with the rest of my skincare regimen?
Well, now I’m in a bit of a pickle. I didn’t want to love The Rich Cream so much, because $280 isn’t really within my monthly budget. But I’ve already begun justifying it as an essential purchase, and I’m not even halfway through the bottle yet. It’s important to note that both The Cream and The Rich Cream come in multiple, less expensive sizes that are ideal for testing the products before completely committing. They can be purchased in 50ml ($280) or 30ml ($175) bottles.
However, I'll be snagging a full-size bottle (or two) during Sephora's spring savings event. Yes, you read that right. The beauty retailers' sale of the season is happening right now, featuring an up to 20 percent discount on The Rich Cream when you use coupon code 'SAVESPRING' at checkout. (FYI: your discount amount depends on your Beauty Insider membership status.) But regardless, you can get your hands on the fan-favorite for as low as $149!
BTW, the sale ends on April 11 so act fast.
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