I Love Augustinus Bader’s New Retinol Serum Like My Prescription Serum
Augustinus Bader is practically a status symbol for people who value luxury skincare, and the brand’s The Rich Cream continues to earn a spot on the shelves of the beauty industry’s elite. Aside from its chic blue and bronze packaging and a loyal following, Augustinus Bader makes some of the best, most effective skincare products on the market. Today, April 4, Augustinus Bader releases its first-ever retinol serum, simply called Retinol Serum, which is designed to refresh skin without redness or irritation.
Below, find out everything you need to know about the formula, plus our honest review.
The Inspiration
While retinol can boost collagen and elastin production, blur fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce breakouts, the ingredient is notorious for causing redness and flaking in sensitive and dry skin. Augustinus Bader’s first-ever retinol serum was inspired by a gap in the market for a retinol that actually nourishes the skin instead of irritating it. “Like all Augustinus Bader product launches, this launch was made possible because our customers asked for it,” the Byrdie brand said.
With this demand in mind, the brand continued, “we looked to the ‘gold standard’ of retinol to see if our technology could improve upon this. For the Retinol Serum, we wanted to create a formula that delivered the benefits of traditional retinol while being accessible to a wider consumer base, such as those with more sensitive skin or those who are nervous about trying retinol due to concerns about irritation, redness, and discomfort.”
Formula
The brand wanted to create a serum that delivers all the benefits of retinol while also soothing, hydrating, and regenerating the skin. In this formula, you’ll find pure retinol that minimizes the look of fine lines and deep wrinkles, reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, minimizes breakouts, and even creates a radiant effect with long-term use. The Retinol Serum also contains Augustinus Bader’s proprietary TFC8 technology, which, according to the brand, “creates an optimal environment for skin cell renewal.”
In case you’re wondering what exactly TCF8 is: “TFC8 (Trigger Factor Complex TFC) is a proprietary technology made up of many different ingredients – including natural amino acids, premium vitamins and synthetic molecules – that represent the essential building blocks of healthy skin,” Professor Augustin Bader told Birdy. “This technology is based on my understanding of the body’s repair code, which came from my medical research. It’s essentially a toolbox that gives the skin everything it needs.”
Professor Bader further explains that TFC8 directs nutrients to cells to boost the efficacy of any formula (the complex is also found in the brand’s beloved The Rich Cream). “[TFC8] transforms formulas with active ingredients into smart skincare that adapts to individual concerns – from fine lines and wrinkles to hyperpigmentation and damage from external stressors.”
In addition to TFC8, the formula also contains a microbial blend to support the skin’s outermost bacterial barrier and minimize blemishes; a zinc complex to regulate sebum production (also helps eliminate breakouts); marine tetrahydrocannabinol to hydrate the skin; and Japanese knotweed extract to regulate sebum secretion. skin’s enzyme activity to reduce dulling, dead skin cells on the surface.
Knowing what’s in a formula is important, but knowing what’s omitted is just as important when choosing a new product for your nighttime routine. Retinol Serum is vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, paraben-free, synthetic fragrance-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, phthalate-free, DEA-free, heavy metal-free, talc-free, petrolatum-free, paraffin-free, and mineral oil-free. For the eco-friendly among us: Retinol Serum comes packaged in a 100% recyclable aluminum box and comes with a recyclable cardboard box, insert, and flyer.
Review
Let’s be honest: I’ve been on a tight relationship with my prescription Retinoic Acid since stopping Spironolactone earlier this year to keep my adult acne at bay. While Retinoic Acid did everything I needed to reduce breakouts and fine lines (my peak was cell turnover overdrive!), it also wreaked havoc on my dry, sensitive skin.
If I don’t use retinoids for a few days, I’ll notice my acne and small wrinkles coming back: so I stopped using retinoids for about a week as a test before trying a retinol serum.
When I started using retinoids, my skin initially became dry and red, and sometimes painful for the first few days. I always thought it was the burden of retinoids – but after incorporating a retinol serum into my nightly skincare routine, I noticed my skin calmed down. I barely felt any irritation from this product, and woke up to clearer, smoother skin every day. I’m also a big fan of anything that moisturizes my skin without feeling like gunk – and to my delight, the lightweight texture of this formula absorbed into the skin and applied smoothly like butter.
Most retinoids take a full eight weeks to fully work, so I can’t speak to the long-term benefits of this serum just yet. But if what’s happening now is any indication of what’s to come, I can seriously see Augustinus Bader’s retinol serum replacing my prescription retinoids.
