Augustinus Bader is the ultimate “if you know, you know” skin-care brand. With their formidable reputation and even more formidable pricing, AB’s moisturizers are can’t-live-without items for a specific cadre of aficionados. In our own testing, they had an undeniable appeal. And despite The Rich Cream’s eye-watering price tag, this indulgent, luscious offering remains a pick in our guide to the best moisturizers.
So when we learned that the brand — which was founded by a stem-cell scientist — partnered with pop icon Dua Lipa on a three-product collection called DUA, our beauty team’s Slack channel was abuzz with hope, surprise, and excitement. With products capped at $80, the line is positioned toward a younger audience, and it’s marketed as being “Powered by Augustinus Bader Science.” The DUA moisturizer costs less than a quarter of the price of The Rich Cream. But could it truly free up hundreds of dollars in our skin-care budgets without sacrificing the luxurious feel, instant soothing, and high-quality ingredients of the AB cream?
Along with two other colleagues, I tested the full DUA line for a month. I’m in my 30s, as is one other tester, and the third tester is in her 50s. We all have different skin types and significant experience with Augustinus Bader’s heritage lineup. We tracked DUA’s texture, absorption, and wear under makeup. I also consulted a dermatologist and a cosmetic chemist to dissect the science behind the marketing.
After four weeks of testing, interviews with experts, and debates among panelists, the consensus was clear: DUA’s products aren’t staging the coup that our wallets were hoping for. The brand doesn’t claim to be a direct replacement for the main line, but the association made us hopeful.
Ultimately, we found that the DUA products are perfectly fine, but you aren’t getting AB results for a fraction of the price. I love Dua Lipa for her contralto, but she isn’t beating the skepticism we hold for celebrity-backed ventures.