The science behind Augustinus Bader and how the brand is regenerating the beauty industry

Professor Augustinus Bader and Charles Rosier tell us how their brand is different from their competitors, the technology that is changing the skincare industry and the correct way to cleanse

In the beauty industry, the Augustinus Bader brand is a name to reckon with. Co-founded by leading stem cell and biomedical scientist Augustinus Bader, this luxury skincare label started with Professor Bader’s research into finding a way to heal burns without surgery or skin grafting.

This drew the attention of investor-turned-entrepreneur Charles Rosier, who wondered if this technology could be applied to skincare, which led to the creation of this now cult-favourite brand. And since its launch five years ago, it has garnered a dedicated fan following—from celebrities and beauty editors to make-up artists and influencers.

Last month, Bader and Rosier visited Hong Kong for the launch of their latest product, The Foaming Cleanser, and talked to Tatler about the new product, the future of the beauty industry, and what sets their brand apart from their competition.

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Tell us how the idea for this foaming cleanser came about.
Charles Rosier: We started with just The Cream and The Rich Cream, which were our only products for the first 18 months. Then we got requests from our celebrity clients, friends and shareholders for a body cream.

We also had consumers asking how best to apply the creams. We always say to apply them “on clean skin”, but when I asked Augustinus which cleanser to recommend, he said that the formulas available weren’t good [enough]. He didn’t want to endorse them, so we decided to develop our own cleanser. That’s how the line grew over the past five years: [from receiving] queries about doing a face oil, an eye cream, a serum and so on. We moved from a very basic routine—having one cream for everything—to having a full line [of products] to meet consumers’ needs.

How does this cleanser work on the skin?
Augustinus Bader: The microbiome [naturally occurring and beneficial microbes] is an important part of our skin. Our cleanser [thoroughly cleanses without disrupting the microbiome], and contains the patented TFC8 [Trigger Factor Complex] that protects, repairs and regenerates skin.

It also has good lipids, which help transport the TFC8 into the skin and seal the skin’s moisture barrier. This is a cleansing formula with a protective component, which is new to the field.

Above Augustinus Bader (L) and Charles Rosier (R) (Photo: courtesy of Augustinus Bader)

Is there a “correct” way to cleanse our skin?
AB: The body is really a perfect machine, whose natural processes don’t need any disrupting. Our products are designed to empower the body through the repair function in TCF8. Because we live in a world where there’s more pollution and contaminants in the air, cleansing is important, but we shouldn’t overdo it.

For example, if you’re wearing a large amount of makeup, you can double cleanse. We also have a cleansing balm that is amazing for removing make-up and hydrating the skin at the same time. [But most people] don’t need to double or triple cleanse. We have products that are efficient, so select one formulation which fits you and your type of skin.

More new brands are also blending luxury skincare and science, what sets you apart from the competition?
CR: What’s happening in the skincare industry is that there are basic ingredients that are readily available and publicly accessible to brands. You can go to factories to get basic formulas and package them differently. [Which is why] some brands are selling the same ingredients for US$6 [and others for] US$300.

Where we disrupted [the industry] is that we translated 40 years of [Bader’s] stem cell research [on awakening dormant skin cells to kickstart its own healing process] into our products.

We also do three-month clinical trials for every product, not just consumer trials, [which allow us to measure] the hydration of skin and the percentage of improvement [objectively. And we have shared] that clinical trial data transparently.

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Products like The Cream and The Rich Cream often trend on social media. Did you ever anticipate such interest among younger consumers?
CR: The TFC8 technology is all about empowering your body to work at its best, which I think it’s very modern and appeals to everyone.

Today, we hear that there are more young people getting preventative Botox, which is a very negative way to prevent ageing as you are introducing toxicity in your skin. It paralyses your muscles, making them weaker, whereas our technology does the opposite and improves skin elasticity.

With young people so ready to invest in Botox, we’re happy when some of them invest in our products [instead].

What’s the next step for stem cell technology in beauty?
AB: Technology is constantly evolving as we try to better understand how human physiology works and repairs the skin. It’s come a long way but it’s a never-ending story, and as one of our colleagues once said: “science never sleeps”.

And finally, why the blue and copper packaging?
CR: It’s quite funny. When we were in talks with our researchers before launching the company, we had to decide on the packaging. I asked Augustinus “what’s your favourite colour?” and we came to the conclusion that we both love blue.

As for copper, it’s an antibacterial metal that was used in hospitals in the past. So it made sense [to incorporate it] as our brand carries the name of a doctor.

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Tatler Asia

The science behind Augustinus Bader and how the brand is regenerating the beauty industry