So Augustinus Bader quietly changed The Cream. No press release, no fanfare — just a slightly different box if you look close. I put the new batch next to my old jar and used both for a month. One on each side of my face. Nerdy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
The old formula felt like a thick, buttery hug. The new one? It’s lighter — almost runny — but don’t let that fool you. The real tell was my T-zone by 2 PM. It used to look like a glazed donut by lunch. Now it’s just… normal. That never happens.
$290 for 50ml. That’s the price of a nice dinner for two, or one very serious moisturizer. The claim? It uses your skin’s own biology to “renew” itself — no retinol, no acids, no bullshit.
TFC8® Complex
Their patented blend of amino acids and vitamins — sounds like a lab experiment, works like a switchboard for your skin.
New Texture
It’s a gel-cream hybrid now. Sinks in in 15 seconds flat. No greasy film on your pillowcase.
Fragrance-Free
Old formula had a faint botanical smell. New one is completely scentless — good for sensitive noses.
Photo: Mariia Shalabaieva / Unsplash
The reformulation dropped the heavy plant oils (shea, jojoba) for lighter esters and squalane. Smart move — it’s less likely to clog pores, but still feels rich enough for dry skin. The hero actives stayed, which is the important part.
- Squalane: Locks in moisture without suffocating pores
- Niacinamide: Calms redness and fades dark spots over time
- Panthenol: Strengthens the skin barrier — think of it as a shield
- TFC8®: The proprietary mix that tells your cells to get their act together
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
First pump — it’s like spreading a cold, silky pudding. It disappears before you finish rubbing your hands together. No tacky stage, no waiting to apply sunscreen over it. That’s rare in this price bracket.
Week two, something weird happened: my nose started flaking. Not dry flaking — old skin cells actually shedding. I almost quit. But by day 16, my skin was smoother than it’s been since I was 25. The turnover is real, just not instant.
Photo: Linh Ha / Unsplash
My pores look smaller — not “gone” by any means, but way less visible. The redness around my nose? Calmed down 40%. But my fine lines? Yeah, they’re still there. It’s a moisturizer, not a time machine.
Photo: Alexandra Tran / Unsplash
The new formula is objectively better for most people — it feels nicer, plays well with makeup, and won’t suffocate your pores. But if you had dry skin and loved the old one, you’ll be disappointed. Progress isn’t always for everyone.