About six months ago, I started using Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream after testing both The Cream and The Rich Cream using the discovery duo. Given all the hype around these products—raved about by celebrities and topping countless “best of” beauty lists—I wanted to see if they were really as transformative as claimed. Here’s my honest review after six months of use.
First Impressions
The packaging is undeniably luxurious—heavy and sleek with its blue and copper tones. It immediately feels like a premium product, and considering the price tag, it should. The cream itself is rich, as the name suggests, with a thick, buttery texture that glides effortlessly onto the skin. There’s no overwhelming fragrance, which is a plus for anyone sensitive to scented products.
Rating: 5/5
Application & Feel
Despite being labeled “rich,” I was pleasantly surprised by how easily it absorbed into my combination/oily skin. Having dealt with flakiness from tretinoin and AHAs, I expected it to feel too heavy or greasy, but it sinks in beautifully, leaving a smooth, velvety finish. My major issue with other moisturizers, especially La Mer, was that they didn’t address my flaky skin or redness. However, after just one week of using The Rich Cream, the flakiness and redness were gone. My skin felt deeply nourished without any breakouts, and my makeup started to apply much more smoothly.
Rating: 5/5
Key Ingredients
The star of the show is the TFC8® (Trigger Factor Complex) technology, a proprietary blend that supports the skin’s natural repair processes. It’s combined with shea butter, hydrolyzed rice protein, and other deeply moisturizing ingredients. What I appreciate is that, despite the richness of the formula, it never clogged my pores or exacerbated my acne-prone skin. Instead, it kept my skin calm and hydrated, especially in extreme weather conditions like the polluted city I lived in for 4.5 years and the hot summers of my current location.
Rating: 5/5
Results
After using The Rich Cream daily for less than a week, the flakiness and irritation that had plagued me for months disappeared. Within the first month, my skin felt smoother and more even in texture. I no longer had issues with foundation clinging to dry patches, and my skin’s overall appearance improved significantly. What I love most is how it acts as a recovery cream—whether it’s a long day outside, poor diet, lack of sleep, or long flights, this cream resets my skin overnight. The next morning, my skin always looks refreshed and calm.
Rating: 5/5
The Downside
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. At $300 for a 50ml bottle, this cream is a serious investment. While I think it’s worth it for anyone with complex skin issues like mine—sensitive, flaky, oily in some areas, acne-prone—I know this price point is out of reach for many. For oily skin types in warmer climates, it might feel too heavy for daytime use, but for me, it works perfectly as a night (and day) cream, even in hot summers. I may skip it sometimes in the morning when I am using a rich foundation and use the serum instead.
Rating: 3.5/5
Final Verdict
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream is a luxurious, effective moisturizer that works wonders on combination to oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. It tackles flakiness, redness, and irritation, and smooths out the texture of your skin over time. Although it comes with a steep price tag, the results make it worth the investment for those struggling with stubborn skin issues. It’s a product I reach for every day, and it never fails to deliver. For now, it’s the only cream I need in my routine.
Overall Rating: 5/5
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