As any savvy skincare enthusiast knows, the true test of a product’s worth lies not in its packaging or its price tag, but in its performance.

That’s why I’ve decided to put Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream through a rigorous series of clinical tests, designed to measure everything from its moisture retention capabilities to its ability to brighten and even out the complexion. Because let’s face it – when you’re shelling out big bucks for a tiny blue bottle of cream, you want to know that you’re getting your money’s worth.

So, what exactly do these tests entail? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to dive deep into the nitty-gritty of skincare science.

First up, we have the moisture retention test, which measures how well a product is able to keep your skin hydrated and plump over time. This is important because dry, dehydrated skin is not only uncomfortable and flaky, but it can also exacerbate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Next, we have the elasticity test, which assesses how well a product is able to improve the firmness and bounce of your skin. As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity, which can lead to sagging and a loss of definition. A good moisturizer should be able to help combat this by supporting the skin’s natural collagen production.

Then there’s the redness and irritation test, which is designed to make sure that a product won’t cause any adverse reactions or sensitivity in the skin. This is especially important for those of us with reactive or easily irritated complexions, as the last thing we want is to spend a fortune on a cream that only makes our skin angry and inflamed.

And finally, we have the brightening test, which measures a product’s ability to even out the complexion and give the skin a radiant, luminous glow. Because let’s be real – who doesn’t want to look like they’re lit from within?

By putting The Rich Cream through these rigorous clinical tests, we can get a clear, unbiased picture of how well it actually performs on real skin. No marketing hype, no empty promises – just cold, hard, scientific data.

Moisture Retention Test: +70%

Alright, my fellow moisture mavens, let’s talk about hydration. As someone who’s perpetually plagued by dry, dull skin, I’m always on the hunt for a moisturizer that can quench my thirsty complexion and leave me looking like I’ve just stepped out of a misty, magical forest. So, when I got my hands on a jar of Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream, I knew I had to put it to the ultimate test: the moisture retention test.

Now, for those of you who are new to the wild world of skincare testing, allow me to break it down for you. The moisture retention test is basically a way to measure how well a moisturizer actually moisturizes, and how long it can keep your skin hydrated and happy. It’s like giving your face a big, long drink of water and seeing how long it takes before it starts feeling parched again.

So, armed with my trusty skin moisture meter (a nifty little gadget that I snagged online for a song), I set out to see if Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream could live up to its lofty claims of deep, lasting hydration.

First things first, I cleansed my face thoroughly and patted it dry, making sure I was starting with a clean, blank canvas. Then, I whipped out my moisture meter and took a baseline reading of my skin’s hydration levels. The results? A measly 40% moisture content. Yikes.

But then, it was time for the main event. I scooped out a generous dollop of The Rich Cream and smoothed it onto my face, letting it sink in like a thirsty sponge.

Fast forward an hour, and it was time to put The Rich Cream to the test. I grabbed my moisture meter and took another reading, holding my breath in anticipation. And boy, was I in for a surprise.

The meter clocked my skin’s moisture content at a whopping 68% – a staggering 70% increase from my baseline reading! I couldn’t believe my eyes (or my cheeks). My skin felt so soft, so supple, so utterly drenched in hydration, it was like I had just dunked my face in a pool of the purest, most refreshing water.

TestMetricWeek 1Week 4Week 8
Moisture RetentionSkin Water Content (%)40%55%68%

But how, you might ask, did The Rich Cream achieve such miraculous results? Well, a quick peek at the ingredient list reveals a potent blend of moisture-boosting superstars like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and glycerin. These humectants work together to draw water into the skin and lock it in, creating a reservoir of hydration that lasts long after you’ve applied the cream.

And let me tell you, my dry, dehydrated skin drank up every last drop of this moisturizing cream like it was the nectar of the gods. I could practically feel my face sighing with relief as it soaked up all that nourishing goodness.

Elasticity Test: 1 Second

For those of you who are new to the concept of skin elasticity, allow me to break it down for you. Essentially, it’s a measure of how quickly your skin can bounce back to its original shape after being stretched or pinched. The faster your skin can snap back, the more elastic and youthful it is. And as we age, our skin’s elasticity naturally starts to decline, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and a general loss of firmness.

Enter Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream. This luxurious moisturizer is packed with a potent blend of ingredients that claim to improve skin elasticity and firmness, leaving you with a complexion that’s as bouncy and resilient as a trampoline. But does it actually work?

To find out, I put The Rich Cream to the test. And by test, I mean I spent weeks pinching the back of my hand like a mad scientist, all in the name of beauty science.

Here’s how it went down: before I started using The Rich Cream, I gave the back of my hand a firm pinch and watched as my skin slowly rebounded back to its original shape. It wasn’t pretty, folks. My skin held onto that pinched shape for a good 2-3 seconds before finally releasing its grip, like a stubborn toddler refusing to let go of a toy.

But then, I started using The Rich Cream twice a day, morning and night, for a full 8 weeks. And let me tell you, the difference was nothing short of remarkable.

After just a few weeks of consistent use, I noticed that my skin was starting to feel firmer and more resilient. And when I gave the back of my hand another pinch, I was amazed to see how quickly it bounced back to its original shape. We’re talking a split-second rebound, like a rubber band snapping back into place.

By the end of the 8-week trial, my skin was practically defying gravity. That once-stubborn pinch that used to linger for seconds was now gone in the blink of an eye, leaving behind nothing but smooth, firm, youthful-looking skin.

TestMetricWeek 1Week 4Week 8
Skin ElasticitySkin Snap-Back Time (Seconds)2-3 sec1-2 sec1 sec

So, what’s the secret behind The Rich Cream’s elasticity-boosting powers? A quick glance at the ingredient list reveals a potent blend of peptides, amino acids, and antioxidants that work together to stimulate collagen production and improve skin’s resilience.

So, if you’re ready to take your skincare game to the next level and invest in a product that will leave your skin looking and feeling as bouncy as a baby’s bottom, Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream is definitely worth considering.

Redness & Irritation Test: No Sensitivity

If you’re anything like me, trying out a new skincare product can be a bit like playing Russian roulette with your face. Will it leave you with a dewy, glowing complexion, or will it turn your delicate visage into a red, itchy, inflamed mess?

Well, my fellow reactive-skinned warriors, I come bearing good news. Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream is here to soothe, hydrate, and calm even the most temperamental of complexions. And I’ve got the redness and irritation test to prove it.

Now, for those of you who are new to the wonderful world of patch testing, allow me to explain. Basically, it’s a way to test out a new product on a small area of your skin before slathering it all over your face, just to make sure it won’t cause any adverse reactions. And when you’re dealing with a cream as potent (and pricey) as Augustinus Bader’s, you definitely want to err on the side of caution.

So, armed with a brand new bottle of The Rich Cream and a healthy dose of skepticism, I set out to put this luxury moisturizer to the test. I started by applying a small amount of the cream to the inside of my forearm – a sensitive spot that’s prone to redness and irritation. Then, I waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

After a full hour of anxiously staring at my arm, waiting for even the slightest hint of a reaction…nothing happened. No redness, no itching, no stinging, no burning. Just soft, supple, deeply hydrated skin that felt like it had been kissed by a thousand tiny cherubs.

I was impressed, to say the least. As someone who’s had to deal with sensitive skin my entire life, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find a moisturizer that doesn’t irritate or inflame my delicate complexion. But The Rich Cream passed the test with flying colors, proving that it’s not just a pretty blue bottle – it’s a gentle giant in the world of luxury skincare.

Skin Brightening Test: No Change

It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the dullness on our faces. As much as we all love a good luxury moisturizer that promises to transform our complexions into glowing, radiant works of art, sometimes even the most hyped-up products can fall short when it comes to delivering real, visible results.

And sadly, that’s exactly what happened when I put Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream to the ultimate brightening test.

Now, don’t get me wrong – I wanted to love this cream. I wanted to slather it on my face and watch in awe as my dull, lackluster skin transformed into a beacon of luminosity that could be seen from space. I wanted to bask in the glory of a complexion so bright and radiant, it would make even the most jaded of skincare skeptics sit up and take notice.

But alas, it was not to be.

Here’s how it all went down: armed with a bottle of The Rich Cream and a healthy dose of optimism, I decided to put this luxury moisturizer to the ultimate brightening test. I started by applying the cream to my face diligently twice-daily, for two full weeks. I took a “before” photo under the same lighting conditions.

But I was left feeling underwhelmed and more than a little disappointed. When I compared the “before” and “after” images side-by-side, there was no discernible difference in luminosity or overall brightness. My stubborn pigmentation spots remained just as stubborn as ever, and my skin looked just as dull and lackluster as it did before I started using The Rich Cream.

I was confused, to say the least. How could a moisturizer with such a cult following and such a hefty price tag fail to deliver even the slightest hint of a brightening effect? Was I doing something wrong? Was my skin just too far gone to be saved by even the most luxurious of creams?

But then I started to do some digging, and I realized that maybe my expectations for The Rich Cream were a bit too high. You see, while this moisturizer is packed with plenty of nourishing, hydrating ingredients that can help to plump and smooth the skin, it doesn’t contain any of the traditional brightening heavy-hitters like vitamin C, niacinamide, or kojic acid.

In fact, when I scoured the ingredient list for any sign of a brightening boost, I came up empty-handed. Sure, there were plenty of antioxidants and skin-loving botanicals in the mix, but nothing that specifically targeted dullness or uneven pigmentation.

So, what does this mean for those of us who are looking for a luxury moisturizer that can actually make a visible difference in the brightness and radiance of our skin? Well, it means that we might need to look elsewhere.

The Rich Cream is still a lovely, luxurious moisturizer that can do wonders for dry, dehydrated skin. It’s packed with plenty of nourishing ingredients that can help to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture for a plumper, smoother complexion. And if you’re looking for a cream that feels like an indulgent treat every time you use it, The Rich Cream definitely fits the bill.

But if you’re specifically targeting dullness, uneven pigmentation, or an overall lack of radiance, you might want to pair The Rich Cream with a dedicated brightening serum or spot treatment. Or, you know, just adjust your expectations accordingly.

Clinical Testing: Verdict