Augustinus Bader has been on my radar for a while now, since I feel like every industry insider, every editor, and every celebrity has been singing its praises from the rooftop. The brand has a long line of skin-care products, but its hero product is definitely The Cream ($290). And with a name like that, you know it’s gonna be good. Famously, singular names are iconic (Beyonce, Madonna, Prince, etc.).

Augustinus Bader, The Cream, 50ml — $290.00

A little bit about Augustinus Bader

And celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Aniston all swear by the brand. But before we get into just how it works (and if it’s worth the price tag), first a bit of background on the brand. Augustinus Bader isn’t just a brand–he’s an actual guy. A globally celebrated biomedical scientist and physician, to be specific. Dr. Bader is one of the leading experts in regenerative medicine, and he spent much of his career working with burn victims and researching ways to heal skin that had been damaged by fire. And in just the handful of years since the brand launched (in 2017), Augustinus Bader has won 150 coveted industry awards—an unprecedented amount in that time.

So now, the elephant in the room: The price. It’s $290 for 1.7 ounces (or $175 for 1 oz). Whenever I see skincare products with prices that high, I always think, well, this moisturizer also better clean my apartment and buy me dinner. For a price like that, there should be some extra services kicked in, right? But the reality of it is that the Augustinus Bader price point isn’t all that exorbitant, compared to its luxury competitors. Take Cle de Peau’s La Creme Night Cream, for example, which costs $795 for 1.7 ounces. Or La Mer Crème de la Mer, which is $380 for 2 oz. High-end skin-care and serums get their high price tags because of their cell-renewal ingredients, which unfortunately aren’t cheap.

What’s so special about The Cream? Here’s what a derm says

Now! Onto The Cream’s innovative ingredients that are the reason it’s winning all these awards. So, basically, the main ingredient doing the heavy lifting here is the formula’s complex called Trigger Factor Complex, or TFC-8. The complex itself is made up of at least 40 ingredients including natural amino acids, vitamins and molecules. So it’s this patented formula that sets it apart from all the rest (and justifies its price).

We reached out to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, to break it down a bit more. “Augustinus Bader’s The Cream is deeply hydrating, conditioning and renewing. It leaves the skin toned, vibrant and glowing, and it stimulates the production of collagen and promotes elasticity,” she explained. “Its key, proprietary ingredient, TFC8®, supports cellular renewal, guiding the key ingredients to the cell. Even those who are oily or acne-prone can use this product without breaking out,” she adds.

My experience using The Cream from Augustinus Bader

So now that we’ve had our mini science class, onto how I actually used this product and how it worked. I applied a few drops over cleansed skin in a sweeping, upward motion. I applied it day and night, and really didn’t use much else at all in terms of skin products (with the exception of a cleanser). Technically, you’re supposed to wait 27 days to see or feel noticeable results, since that’s when cell turnover happens. But even within two weeks I was noticing more hydrated, plumper, smoother skin.

What I love the most about The Cream from Augustinus Bader is the consistency. It absorbs immediately. I err more on the dry skin side, but even if you suffer from oily or acne-prone skin, you won’t have any problems with this moisturizer. After over two weeks of using it daily, I think the best word I can use to describe it is that made my skin more “supple.” Now, I’m not a huge believer in “before” and “after” pictures when it comes to moisturizers. It’s just too nuanced and difficult to capture in a photo, and there’s all the factors like lighting, etc. But I am including a picture of myself applying the product, so you can see the consistency up-close. And then a photo of me without a stitch of makeup wearing only the product. Not the cutest angle, but oh well.

My only bone to pick? It’s sort of both a pro and a con. I think the packaging is exquisite. Some of the most gorgeous skincare packaging on the market. But the design of the bottle makes it hard to see how much product you have left; which at the end of the day is better for the brand, because if you can’t see how much you’re using you may be more likely to use up the product faster.

So while I do recommend this, I have trouble when editors say “this is worth every penny.” I think editors who receive products (like myself) can’t really talk about “pennies” when they’ve received the product as editorial consideration. That said, I think this product is in a world class above others I’ve used, and if you want to save up and treat yourself (or get a very special gift for a skin-care lover), Augustinus Bader’s The Cream is truly fabulous.

Now, I don’t know that it’s realistic to make it your routine moisturizer—at least not if you’re in the tax bracket I am. But if you have the extra cash to spend on skin-care, this is an incredible moisturizer. And if you end up loving it as much as I did, you can save some money in the long-run by investing in the larger 100 milliliter version of The Cream ($550), or its thicker, intensely-nourishing sibling, The Rich Cream ($550).

Augustinus Bader, The Cream, 100ml — $550.00

I think this product absolutely deserves all the accolades it has. I mean, this wasn’t built on junk science—it was developed by a biochemist who researched burn remedies. So bottom line? It’s absolutely worth the hype. But don’t worry if you think of it more as a “very special treat” versus a part of your monthly skin-care budget.