I Tried Augustinus Bader’s £435 The Elixir. Is Any Serum Really Worth This Much?
There are expensive serums, and then there’s Augustinus Bader’s The Elixir, £435 of skincare so luxurious, it practically demands its own security guard. The brand that’s loved by celebrities, lusted after by beauty editors, and backed by some very clever science. This promises skin so good, you’ll question every other product you’ve ever used. But is it really worth the equivalent of a designer handbag? Here are my thoughts…
A month ago, I was fortunate enough to be gifted a bottle of The Elixir, and since then, I have used it daily. Augustinus Bader is no stranger to hype; this TFC8 technology is practically the Taylor Swift of the skincare world, but this is the brand’s most concentrated, clinically advanced formula yet.
As Professor Bader himself puts it, “This is a revolutionary leap in skincare science… it delivers remarkable efficacy, offering a powerful, non-invasive alternative that redefines skincare possibilities.” And honestly, I can see what he means. From the first application, it melted into my skin, leaving behind an otherworldly sheen.
Over the next few weeks, the results were undeniable: my skin looked plumper, smoother, and, dare I say it, expensive. It had that elusive “I sleep nine hours a night and drink green juice glow.” This is luxury skincare with a capital L, the kind of formula where you can actually feel the years of research, clinical trials, and patent applications on your skin.
However, while the science absolutely justifies the cost on paper, no serum, no matter how miraculous, should force you into a month of beans on toast just to afford it. This is beauty at the outer edge of the budget bell curve; it’s a want, not a need.
Would I keep using it? In a heartbeat. Would I tell my best friend to remortgage her flat for it? Absolutely not.
If your budget has room for a £435 serum without breaking a sweat, then put this in your basket. For the rest of us, The Elixir is a gorgeous, aspirational marvel… best admired from a safe, financially responsible distance.
Beauty editor’s splurge list
If money’s no object, here are some other luxe creams that deserve a spot on your vanity.
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