A Wren Says

It has finally happened. Augustinus Bader has entered the sunscreen category. The luxury brand, famed for its rich cream and “The Cream,” finally have an option for you to complete your skincare routine with the brand. I tried it.

The Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 by Augustinus Bader is, as you would very hopefully guess, a mineral sunscreen. In addition to the TFC8® technology in all Augustinus Bader products this also features the following ingredients.

• Non-nano Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide: Protection from UV rays
• Cotton Seed Extract: Protection from photodamage and premature aging
• Microalgae Extract: Protection from UV damage
• Pomegranate flower, perilla leaf, Kakadu plum complex: Defense against sun-induced skin damage and stress
• Raspberry Seed Oil- Antioxidants vitamins E and A, omega-3, and omega-6 for photoprotection
• Buriti oil: Carotene to protect skin pre-sun exposure

When I first checked the site for this product, they used a dark skin model, making me think that this would at last be the mineral sunscreen that leaves no white cast. (More on that next week.) The first day that I tried it, I put on the recommended amount of sunscreen, looked up in the mirror, and saw the white cast. I sucked it up and walked out the door like that on my morning walk. Everyone else at that time of day would either be too focused on what their own goals are simply incapable of thinking clearly enough to take notice

 I did notice that when I got back home, the product gripped onto dry patches. On the bright side, we could say that the product would help me know exactly which areas of my face were in need of exfoliation.

The next time I tested it out before heading out for coffee and errands, I put on Ilia’s Face Base Milk first. I found that additional layer primed my skin and took away the issue of dry patches. The first problem was not solved. I still looked crazy with my purplish hue. I decided to use some foundation, which I shortly realized was actually a shade too light. It was fine when I was using sparingly and blending out on bare skin. It was an awful idea to try and cover my discolored face. Then I added another layer of a different color to match my skin tone and some powder. I tell you this, well one because you might now understand just how bad I am at color-matching my makeup, but also to let you know that I layered quite a bit of product on top. I didn’t have any issue with the dryness. There was no pilling. The foundation layered well on top with no issues.

In subsequent uses, I applied the Face Base, allowed that to soak in and then put on the sunscreen. I noticed that when allowed it to set, the cast wasn’t as obvious, though it was still there. I thought that was perfectly fine as I wore this for beach days and outdoor workouts. Those are times when I cared more about protecting my skin than about how others might think I look.

When it came to wash this product off, I found it took a lot more effort than I was used to. I felt like I needed to either quintuple cleanse my skin or exfoliate it away. In hindsight, I should have tested some heavier duty makeup removers to get it off. But as a plus, that also meant I had no issues with it running into my eyes as a I sweat.

Now for my final thoughts: It is luxury skincare, but it is still a mineral sunscreen.

If you don’t like mineral sunscreens, you’re won’t like this. If you have issues with white cast and dryness with other mineral sunscreens, you’ll have it with this product, too. But, if you are already a committed mineral sunscreen user and are looking for a less drying option along with the prestige of powerful branding, I would say try it. Just know that if you have dry skin and are not fair skin, you will have to make some modifications to make it work for you.