Augustinus Bader quietly swapped out Squalane for Avocado Oil in The Rich Cream. The internet lost its mind.
The old formula was a safety blanket for dry, reactive skin. The new one? It’s less greasy but also less hydrating on the deepest level. That matters more than you think.
Still $290 for 50ml. Still claims to “reprogram” your skin with TFC8. But the texture shift is real.
Avocado Oil replaces Squalane
Sinks in faster but doesn’t sit as heavy — good for oily zones, bad for desert-dry cheeks.
TFC8 stays untouched
Still the same patented trigger factor complex. This is the brain of the cream — it didn’t change.
Shea Butter moved up the list
More emollient feel on top, less slip underneath. It’s a different glide entirely.
Photo: Elsa Olofsson / Unsplash
Smells faintly of avocado — like a very expensive guacamole. The old version had zero scent. Now it’s got a subtle green note.
Avocado oil is rich in oleic acid and vitamin E. Squalane was lighter and more breathable. Trade-off city.
- Avocado Oil: Replaces squalane — richer but heavier for some
- TFC8: The brand’s signature stem cell tech — unchanged
- Shea Butter: More occlusive now — better barrier lock
- Vitamin E: Natural preservative — also antioxidant boost
Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash
First pump: it’s thicker. Spreads like a soft butter, not a lotion. Absorbs in about 15 seconds — slower than the old version.
Week 3: my chin broke out. Never happened with the old one. But my forehead looks smoother. It’s a split personality cream now.
Photo: yunona uritsky / Unsplash
My fine lines around the nose looked softer. But my usual redness came back faster than with the old formula. It’s a lateral move, not an upgrade.
Photo: kimia kazemi / Unsplash
The 2026 reformulation is fine — but fine isn’t what you pay $290 for. It’s a good cream that used to be a great one.