A beauty writer tested Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream, a moisturiser used by celebrities including Victoria Beckham, for four weeks and reported that her skin looked plumper and more even. The 15ml bottle, priced at £80, lasted a month of liberal application.
Four weeks of use
The writer switched from affordable drugstore products to the high-end cream at the beginning of September, after returning from a summer holiday. She described the texture as seriously rich, thick and incredibly nourishing, creating a cocooning feel that works slowly overnight, leaving skin plump and glowy by morning.
While she is still under 30 and wrinkles are not yet a major concern, she noted that well-hydrated skin can make fine lines look softer and less noticeable. The cream is designed for normal to dry skin and promises to deeply nourish, smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, support the skin barrier and leave skin looking firmer, plumper and more supple.
Cost and value
The 15ml bottle costs £80, working out at £20 a week. Larger sizes offer better value: the 30ml bottle is £155, or £124 every 8 weeks on autoreplenishment (£15.50 a week), while the 50ml bottle would be £200 every 14 weeks, which is less than £15 a week.
The cream is powered by the brand's TFC8 technology, alongside hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and evening primrose oil.
Drawbacks and alternatives
The writer found the cream too rich for morning use, as foundation separated on her skin, and recommended it for evening routines. She also suggested it is best suited to dry or very dry skin, particularly in colder months, and might be too much for oily or combination skin.
She noted that while the subscribe and save service helps cut costs, a refill system would be a sensible next step, as some Augustinus Bader products are already refillable.
Alternative anti-ageing options include Medik8's Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream at £82 for a 50ml pot, and Dr Sam's Flawless Moisturiser Intense at £36 for 50ml at Sephora.
Customer reviews
The product holds a 4.9 star rating based on almost 1,500 reviews. One reviewer commented: "Best cream ever, it is like a warm hug for my skin. I use the rich cream in winter and the lighter version in summer."
Another wrote: "I've used Augustinus Bader Rich Cream for more than five years and had always thought looking younger was because I've been a competitive cyclist for the last 10 years so am fit and have a healthy diet. Recently I've noticed that friends and people in the media who are 5 or 10 years younger than me have lots of thin wrinkles all over their face and I don't. One of my close friends is five years younger than me, sporty and healthy like me and her skin looks older so I'm thinking that the Rich Cream must be keeping wrinkles away."
Some reviewers mentioned the price as a downside, while others noted the shiny finish. One five-star review read: "The Rich Cream is in the category of things I do not want to be without. I use it morning and night. At 79, I get compliments on my skin regularly."
In conclusion, the writer said the cream is worth it for those serious about investing in their skincare, noting the TFC8 compound is unique to the brand, the texture is gorgeous, and her skin felt exceptional after four weeks. While more affordable options exist, she said it is easy to see why Victoria Beckham adores the cream.
