By Arissa Ha - published
Founded by stem cell researcher Professor Augustinus Bader, the eponymous skincare brand first emerged in 2018 with just two flagship products: The Cream and The Rich Cream. Built upon Professor Bader’s groundbreaking medical research initially developed to heal severe burns, the products quickly captured attention for their scientifically backed formulas and visible results. The brand earned a devoted following, becoming a staple among beauty insiders, editors, and high-profile celebrities, who praised its innovative approach to stimulating the skin’s natural healing mechanisms. This distinctive blend of science and luxury positioned Augustinus Bader as one of skincare’s most celebrated and trusted names.
Now, the brand is expanding its range with the introduction of The Sunscreen SPF 50 ($205). More than just a sun protection product, its formulation marks a significant milestone by integrating advanced cellular renewal technology into everyday sun care, essentially merging sun protection with skin repair.
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The Technology That Works
Professor Augustinus Bader’s journey into skincare originated from medical research aimed at treating severe burns. His technology was initially developed to help heal wounds by activating the body’s innate stem cells. “Augustinus Bader’s products are a translation from the medical book that’s originally used to treat severe burns,” explains Professor Bader. But adapting a complex medical solution into everyday skincare posed its own challenges. “What’s so good about a skincare product is that everyone can use it,” he notes, reflecting on the broader impact of his research.
At the heart of The Sunscreen SPF 50 is Bader’s proprietary Trigger Factor Complex, or TFC8. Describing TFC8 in simple terms, Professor Bader likens it to “a little bit like a train locomotive carrying wagons of beneficial ingredients for your skin. TFC8 comes to your skin cells to deliver what your skin needs to fix itself.” This ‘train’ analogy captures how TFC8 delivers essential nutrients and signals directly to skin cells, enhancing the body’s natural healing abilities.
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The Sunscreen Worth Waiting For
Formulating The Sunscreen SPF 50 proved particularly complex, taking an intensive four years of rigorous research and development. “It took four years, which is an amazing long time,” Professor Bader acknowledges. The lengthy process stemmed from the brand’s unwavering commitment to clean formulation. “It took us two years to reach a stage where we were going to a regulatory process and then suddenly it was discovered that one of our manufacturers sneaked in a preservative that we were not aware of. Then we had to reject our formulation and start again. It took another two years,” he explains. This painstaking dedication highlights Augustinus Bader’s integrity in crafting formulations that adhere strictly to its standards of purity.
Works for Everyone
Reflecting on the inclusivity of his formulations, Professor Bader explains why TFC8 works universally across ethnicities: “The intelligence is inside of your own stem cells. They know what to do. We just give them a collection of key ingredients that they need to do the repair process, these epigenetic signals.” Rather than relying on traditional methods of personalisation, Bader highlights that each individual’s skin inherently knows how to repair itself, irrespective of ethnic background or skin tone.
Addressing Singapore’s competitive skincare market, Professor Bader identifies clear differentiation through the product’s unique reparative qualities. “The biggest difference is that we have a repair technology based on your stem cells. Nobody in the world has this,” he emphasises. Beyond functioning as conventional sun protection, this sunscreen actively repairs any UV damage that bypasses its protective shield. “Whatever penetrates the shield is being fixed.” he shares.
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Further distinguishing itself, The Sunscreen SPF 50 has demonstrated significant efficacy in clinical trials. Participants reported a remarkable 2.5-fold improvement in skin hydration, 34 percent fewer wrinkles, and a 65 percent reduction in pigmentation. These outcomes reinforce the sunscreen’s dual capability of protection and restoration, forming an indispensable step in daily skincare routines.
The formulation also harnesses a blend of potent, antioxidant-rich botanicals. Ingredients such as cotton seed extract guard against photodamage, while raspberry seed and buriti oils deliver valuable vitamins and omega fatty acids. Additionally, microalgae extract targets visible signs of ageing, enhancing the product’s comprehensive approach to skin wellness.
Professor Bader’s holistic view of skincare aligns particularly well with Asia’s heritage of self-healing practices. “Healthy is beautiful, always,” he affirms. As Professor Bader succinctly puts it, his vision is fundamentally about “helping your skin to be your best skin.”