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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]

Augustinus Bader

Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum

Name: Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum
Brand: Augustinus Bader

SerumAnti-Aging

Efficacy

Solid

3.9 / 5.0

Safety

Mostly Safe

4.0 / 5.0

System Verdict

Luxury pricing is doing more work than this retinol formula. The efficacy score is 3.9/5: the product contains genuine retinol and the brand states a 0.06% concentration, but retinol appears around position 26, so the treatment dose is modest rather than clinically aggressive. The formula has a strong moisturizing base with glycerin, squalane, shea butter, PCA, panthenol, and ectoin, which may improve tolerability, but no disclosed pH, no clear encapsulation claim, and numerous late-list botanical and vitamin derivatives do not compensate for the low retinol concentration. The marketed peptide and botanical complex adds formulation interest, not proven anti-aging potency comparable to a well-dosed retinoid. The essential-oil component also prevents this from being an especially minimalist sensitive-skin formula.

Active Ingredients Detected

S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative

RetinolSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results

GlycerinSqualaneGlycine Soja (Soybean) OilButyrospermum Parkii (Shea) ButterEctoinHelianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed OilTocopherolPanthenolNiacinamideTocopheryl AcetatePyridoxine HClPhenylalanine

B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients

OctyldodecanolC12-16 AlcoholsHelianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Hybrid OilPCAZinc PCAMaltodextrinHydrolyzed Rice ProteinTotarolCalcium PantothenateSodium Starch OctenylsuccinateCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractAlanyl GlutamineSodium Chloride

C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data

Magnolia Officinalis Bark ExtractPiper Nigrum (Pepper) Seed ExtractPolygonum Cuspidatum Root ExtractOligopeptide-177

D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious

Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf OilSisymbrium Irio Seed Oil

What Each Ingredient Does

Aqua/Water/Eau: Formula solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Light emollient
Glycerin: Humectant moisturizer
Octyldodecanol: Emollient texture agent
C12-16 Alcohols: Emollient consistency agent
Squalane: Skin-conditioning emollient
Propanediol: Humectant solvent
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil: Plant-derived emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter: Occlusive emollient butter
Ectoin: Cell-protective osmolyte
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Hybrid Oil: Emollient plant oil
Palmitic Acid: Fatty acid emollient
Myristyl Alcohol: Emollient thickener
PCA: Natural moisturizing factor
Hydrogenated Lecithin: Emulsifier skin conditioner
Xanthan Gum: Viscosity controlling thickener
Potassium Sorbate: Preservative
Carbomer: Gel-forming thickener
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate: Emulsifier
Sodium Benzoate: Preservative
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: Emollient plant oil
Tocopherol: Antioxidant skin conditioner
Citric Acid: pH adjusting agent
Zinc PCA: Sebum-balancing humectant

Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Aqua/Water/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, C12-16 Alcohols, Squalane, Propanediol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ectoin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Hybrid Oil, Palmitic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, PCA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Zinc PCA, Maltodextrin, Retinol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panthenol, Totarol, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Piper Nigrum (Pepper) Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine HCl, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Silica. For the latest information, it is recommended to review the ingredient list printed on the packaging of the product prior to usage or consumption

Frequently Asked

Is Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum worth it?

Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum scores 3.9 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Solid) and 4.0 out of 5.0 for safety (Mostly Safe) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. Luxury pricing is doing more work than this retinol formula. The efficacy score is 3.9/5: the product contains genuine retinol and the brand states a 0.06% concentration, but retinol appears around position 26, so the tr

What are the key active ingredients in Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum?

Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Retinol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate.

Does Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum as potential irritants: Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil.

How is Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

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Analysis last updated: 2026-09-27. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score. DemythSkin earns commission from affiliate links (Amazon Associates and others). Scores are computed before any commercial relationship — the link follows the verdict, never the other way around.