German-born, Augustinus Bader is a world-leading expert in regenerative medicine and cellular therapies, and his eponymous skincare brand is a testament to his decades of research. Professor Bader’s breakthrough came when he discovered a method to unlock the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. His work has revolutionized the medical field, leading to the creation of skincare products that utilize this groundbreaking technology.
The Augustinus Bader skincare brand was launched in 2018 and has since gained a cult following, including celebrities like Victoria Beckham. The core of the brand lies in their proprietary Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8®), a complex of natural amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized molecules naturally found in the skin. These products are touted as being able to stimulate skin regeneration and target signs of aging.
However, as the clean beauty movement continues to grow, so does customers’ curiosity about the ethics behind their favorite brands. Is Augustinus Bader sustainable? Is it vegan and cruelty-free? Let’s dive deeper to find out.
What Does ‘Clean Beauty’ Mean?
The term ‘clean beauty’ has become increasingly popular in the cosmetics industry in recent years. It signifies products made without ingredients linked to harmful health effects. From parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, PEGs, and SLS, clean beauty brands are committed to formulating without any potential toxic ingredients.
More than just avoiding bad ingredients, clean beauty also encompasses the brand’s commitment to transparency, sustainability, and ethical sourcing. A clean brand doesn’t just care about the skin, but also the environment and the welfare of animals.
Thus, a truly clean beauty brand would be one that is fully transparent about its ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing processes, has sustainable practices, and guarantees its products are cruelty-free and vegan.
Augustinus Bader: A Review of Their Product Line
Augustinus Bader’s product line is not extensive, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. The star product is undoubtedly The Cream, a light, refreshing, deeply hydrating cream that promises to provide the skin with everything it needs to renew itself. The Rich Cream, a more nourishing version of The Cream, caters to those with dry skin. Both creams contain the brand’s signature TFC8®, promoting skin health and renewal.
Other products include The Body Cream, The Face Oil, The Cleansing Balm, and the newly launched The Serum. While these products do not come cheap, loyal users swear by their effectiveness and the noticeable results they provide.
The ingredients list of these products are clean, free from parabens, synthetic fragrances, and mineral oils. However, are they as transparent, ethically sourced, and cruelty-free as they claim to be?
The Claim: Is Augustinus Bader a Cruelty-Free Brand?
Augustinus Bader makes it clear on their website that they do not test their products on animals. However, it’s important to note that the brand is not certified by cruelty-free organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA. While this doesn’t necessarily mean the brand is not cruelty-free, it does make it more challenging for consumers to verify their claims.
Furthermore, while Augustinus Bader claims they do not sell their products in countries where animal testing is required by law, their presence in the Chinese market, which has complex animal testing laws, raises questions.
Therefore, while the brand declares itself as cruelty-free, the lack of external certifications and complex international markets make it somewhat unclear.
Unpacking the Vegan Controversy: Does Augustinus Bader Use Animal-Derived Ingredients?
Vegan beauty products are those that contain no animal-derived ingredients. Digging into Augustinus Bader’s product ingredients, it appears that they do not use any animal-derived ingredients.
However, there is some controversy surrounding their claim of being a vegan brand. This is mainly because their proprietary TFC8® complex, found in all their products, contains hydrolyzed rice protein. Hydrolyzed proteins can sometimes be animal-derived, but the brand has confirmed that theirs is sourced from plants.
Despite this clarification, like their cruelty-free claim, the brand does not hold any official vegan certifications, making some consumers question their vegan status.
Transparency and Ethics: How Clear is Augustinus Bader with Customers?
Transparency is one of the pillars of clean beauty. Brands should be upfront about their ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing processes. Augustinus Bader lists all ingredients on the product pages of their website and provides a brief explanation of key ingredients and their functions.
However, the brand does not provide detailed information about the sourcing or manufacturing processes of their products. While they do state that their products are made in Monaco and the EU, further information about ethical sourcing practices or sustainability initiatives is lacking.
In terms of packaging, Augustinus Bader uses high-quality, recyclable glass and plastic. However, the outer packaging and shipping materials are not mentioned.
Comparing Augustinus Bader to Other High-End Clean Beauty Brands
When pitted against other high-end clean beauty brands like Tata Harper and Drunk Elephant, Augustinus Bader holds its ground in terms of product effectiveness and a clean ingredients list. However, these other brands have made more evident strides in areas like sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Tata Harper, for instance, runs a vertically integrated company, which means they control every aspect of their production process, ensuring stringent quality control and sustainable practices. Drunk Elephant is also committed to being cruelty-free and has clear stances on sustainability and ethical sourcing, which are outlined on their website.
Comparatively, while Augustinus Bader does have a clean formulation and a scientifically-backed, unique approach to skincare, more transparency around sourcing, manufacturing, and sustainability would strengthen its position in the clean beauty sector.
Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Augustinus Bader’s Clean Brand Status
In conclusion, Augustinus Bader ticks some of the big boxes of clean beauty – they have a clean ingredients list, and they claim to be cruelty-free and vegan. However, the lack of certifications and detailed information regarding their sourcing, manufacturing, and sustainability initiatives makes it challenging to fully endorse them as a clean beauty brand.
While the science behind their products is compelling and their effectiveness is highly praised, for the conscious consumer, the brand’s transparency and commitment to ethical practices could be improved. The brand’s luxury status and high price point further emphasize the importance of these factors.
Thus, while there is no denying that Augustinus Bader offers high-quality, scientifically-backed skincare, it’s clear that there’s still room for improvement in terms of solidifying their status as a fully “clean” beauty brand.
