Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum

Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum keeps retinol at 0.06%

Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum is the brand's evening retinol step. Augustinus Bader sets pure retinol at 0.06% and pairs it with TFC8®, its own blend of vitamins, lipids and peptides, which the brand says supports skin cell communication for continuous, visible renewal.

The brand says the formula reduces the appearance of deep lines, wrinkles, blemishes and pigmentation, and that it helps reduce the appearance of dark spots. Augustinus Bader lists it for oily, textured, mature and blemish-prone skin.

Alongside the retinol, the ingredient list carries squalane, glycerin, shea butter, panthenol, niacinamide, ectoin and zinc PCA, with magnolia bark and green tea extracts. The brand lists it as fragrance-free, vegan and non-comedogenic, and describes the texture as a refreshing cream serum.

What Augustinus Bader reports from its studies

The brand ran a 12-week study of 63 men and women aged 25 to 70 with self-perceived sensitive skin. It reports that the appearance of fine lines reduced by 73%, the appearance of skin blemishes reduced by 87%, post-acne marks were visibly reduced by 90% and hyperpigmentation was visibly reduced by 75%. It reports skin hydration improved by 177% and water loss through the skin fell by 27%.

In a separate 12-week consumer perception study of 103 people with self-perceived sensitive skin, 100% agreed the serum doesn't feel irritating. These are the brand's own figures, and the product page gives headline results rather than the full method. Augustinus Bader's own retinol guide notes that retinol can cause skin irritation and sensitivity.

How to use it in an evening routine

1. Apply in the evening on clean, dry skin.
2. Dispense 2 pumps into the hands.
3. Smooth over the face, neck and décolleté in upward, sweeping motions.

The brand's retinol guide places retinol before moisturizer, so follow with the creams this step goes under.

For the morning, Augustinus Bader's help centre suggests the serum without a retinoid in it, The Serum, with The Retinol Serum kept for night. If you do use The Retinol Serum in the morning, the brand recommends SPF 30 or 50.

Do not pair it with Augustinus Bader The Essence. The brand advises against it, saying the exfoliating acids in The Essence combined with pure retinol may cause sensitivity. The brand's general retinol guide suggests using a retinol serum 1 to 3 times a week at first, then working up.

Product specification

Questions before you buy

Can sensitive skin use it? Augustinus Bader says it is formulated for all skin types, including sensitive, and both of its studies recruited people with self-perceived sensitive skin. Its own retinol guide still notes that retinol can cause irritation and sensitivity, and suggests every other day until skin builds tolerance.

How is it different from The Serum? The Serum has no retinoid in its ingredient list. Augustinus Bader's help centre says it carries squalane, vitamin C and edelweiss extract, and suggests it for the morning, with The Retinol Serum at night.

Does it work on acne scars? The brand's study result is worded as post-acne marks, visibly reduced by 90%. It reports no result for raised or depressed scars.