The Rich Cream Duo (Nordstrom Exclusive) $272 Value

I am willing to pay high prices for a product that works. I've used many highly rated brand including La Mer, Natura Bisse, SKII, Skinceuticals, Skinmedica, Biologique Recherche, etc. I went through 5 bottles of this cream waiting (and expecting, in light of all of the media raves) to see results. Sure, it moisturized my skin nicely, but that can be achieved with less pricey moisturizers (and pricey ones like La Mer, which I think provides better hydration). I saw absolutely no reduction in fine likes or hyperpigmentation. I will stick with brands that provide me with results: La Mer, Skinmedica, Skinceuticals, and Biologique Recherche.

Let me be clear. In order to tell if a skin care product is really working, you must use the product for a minimum of 28 days. That is the amount of time it takes for skin cells to turn over. Most estheticians will actually recommend 8-12 weeks. The skin that is already visible on the surface is simply a barrier that is at the end of its life cycle. Skin care is treating the layers of the epidermis below the surface, so as your skin sheds naturally the next layers to reach the surface have been treated and will (hopefully) be in better condition. No product is going to work overnight, so the reviews stating they received a sample to try, are not accurate. The Rich Cream is highly effective. Continued use of 2 pumps day and night will definitely provide results. I have seen a reduction in pore size, even skin tone and texture, and increased hydration. I enjoyed using the product, however I have seen better results from using Creme de La Mer, which has been my go to skincare for years. I’ve successfully incorporated some products from Omorovicza as well, another fabulous brand that delivers excellent results. I have combination to oily skin, that in the past has been prone to eczema. I’m 33 years old, and began using Botox approximately 8 years ago, administered every 5 months. Augustinus Bader, La Mer and Omorovicza have all helped with pore reduction, evening skin tone, diminishing dark spots, improving texture and providing hydration, better than any other brand on the market I have tried. Nothing is going to completely stop the aging process, but a combination of different methods will certainly slow it down significantly.

I was 100% skeptical of the hype associated with this product, but I felt compelled to try it. I’m a cell biologist and I’m very picky about what I use on my skin. I’m a big fan of the Macrene Actives and Luzern Labs skin care lines, so I wasn’t really desperate to find that new HG item. Against all better judgement, I purchased the new formulation (the recent improvements were very sound, imo) of the Bader Rich Cream in the 30 mL size (because I read that the inner bag of this size could be removed from the outer shell and cut open for that last little bit…and yes, this worked well!). I’m 60 days out from my original purchase of two bottles and I’m slowly starting to see permanent changes in my 55 year old skin. At first I didn’t really notice a difference. I anticipated this because I know how slow skin is to renew, especially at an older age. The biggest improvement came after I went on a long weekend vacation and forgot my usual skincare items—I used the Bader Rich Cream exclusively day and night and nothing else except my Elta MD sunscreen. A week later my skin is really unbelievably even-toned and hydrated. I’ve had at least three people comment on my impeccable skin in the past few days. I ordered a third bottle! As a scientist, I’d love to have more details about the active factors in the Bader Rich Cream, but for now, I’m happy with the impressive results, and despite the high price tag, I’ll likely continue to purchase this product.

I love this moisturizer so I stock up during the anniversary sale! I noticed this year that the bottle is different from the ones I have so I took a look at what is included and found that this year the duo contains a 1oz bottle instead of 1.7oz. I bought a few duos last year and will be ordering more this year, although I'm sad that the quantity isn't the same. Maybe next year they'll go back to offering the largest version!

C'mon, Nordstrom! Do better and be honest in your descriptions. The larger bottle is NOT full size: it's 1 oz (vs. 1.7). This is the 2nd time I've been duped by a misleading description by Nordstrom. Don't make your customers have to run through every detail and run comparative research.