Welcome to Robb Recommends, a regular series in which our editors and contributors endorse something they’ve tried and loved—and think will change your life for the better.
It’s been a momentous year for Augustinus Bader. The brand’s new Elixir serum introduced a concentrated nighttime renewal treatment. The Mineral SPF 50 gave the operation its first American sunscreen. The Robb Report Grooming Award-winning Hydrogel Face Mask offered fast-acting recovery. And AB Chopra Epigenics, formed in partnership with Deepak Chopra, extended the line into wellness and mindfulness. Now comes The Vitamin C Serum, perhaps the most essential launch yet—a true daily driver that ties the collection together.
Vitamin C is one of skincare’s most widely recommended antioxidants, but also one of its most temperamental. The pure form, L-ascorbic acid, is powerful but unstable. It oxidizes quickly, which degrades potency and can even trigger irritation. That instability is why many people abandon Vitamin C despite knowing it’s beneficial. Bader’s formulation avoids this problem by using ascorbyl glucoside, a water-soluble derivative that stays intact in the bottle, then converts into active Vitamin C once absorbed.
That stability is strengthened by AB’s signature delivery system, Advanced TFC8, which you’ll find throughout its entire product range. It’s a complex of amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized molecules designed to mimic the skin’s natural repair signals. Simply put, it guides ingredients into the skin more efficiently, and in this case, it supports the cell-renewal processes that Vitamin C provides.
In other words, this serum addresses both aspects of the Vitamin C dilemma: maintaining its stability and making it effective on the skin.
The formula, which is available now, uses ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant, typically derived from mushrooms, to improve Vitamin C’s performance. There’s also niacinamide, which helps to strengthen the skin barrier and can even lighten dark spots over time. An algae complex helps to minimize redness. Together, it’s a formula that helps even out skin tone, reverse dullness, and prevent pollution damage. And it does so gently—can confirm, no bite on my skin with this one.
The texture is water-light and cushiony, and you can cover your face and neck with two pumps max. In the few weeks that I’ve been testing a lab sample, I’ve also experienced quick absorption, whether I apply it before or after my hydrating serum for the morning.
And remember the best part of using Vitamin C by morning: It synergistically works with your facial SPF to thwart pollutants all day. It’ll even enhance the efficacy of your SPF, which can help ward off a wide swath of age-accelerating aggressors. And, for those already using The Elixir at night, this day/night pairing with the Vitamin C serum creates a steady rhythm: renewal in the evening, protection and prevention during the day.
I wrote in July about the best Vitamin C serums on the market, and how to shop them smartly. That list was all about stability, potency, and usability. Had this product been launched earlier, it certainly would have been on that roster.
The launch also comes at a time when the company itself is scaling sharply. A strategic investment round in 2022 valued Bader at about $1 billion, and by last year, annual sales were projected in the $130 million to $140 million range. It’s curious that it took seven years for this company to add a Vitamin C serum to its offering, but this one is so distinct and high performing that it was worth the wait.
Authors
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Adam Hurly