Hardcore Wellness: Skincare by a Stem Cell Biologist

In her column Hardcore Wellness, Claire Koron Elat looks at wellness as a phenomenon and industry and its increasing, accelerated relevance for the creative industry. As wellness has turned into an aesthetic with an ecosystem of sub-genres, the question of how this development reflects the general absurdity of contemporary culture arises. Hardcore Wellness focuses on interviews with experts in the field.

“Get ready with me for another day in the life—starting with my morning shed. Step 1, remove mouth tape, my silk eye mask, my clear wrapping mask—to stimulate collagen—my face lifting strap to reduce my double chin, my silk hair bonnet to stop breakage of split ends. Step 2, get dressed with me, starting with my perfectly matched PJs, run don’t walk, they’re available on my TT Shop. Try on three different outfits with me (they’re all linked in my Amazon storefront). Actually, I just redid my closet because I got my colors analyzed, and I found out that I’m a bright spring, so the beige just didn’t really compliment my skincare routine. Starting with sunscreen from my favorite brand because my recently microneedled and Tretinoin lathered skin can’t handle the sun—anti-aging, isn’t it so much fun? And how old do I look? I still look young? I go to a boutique Pilates class because I want to look toned and snatched, not bulky, and then go grocery shopping because I need all the vitamins and supplement powder bags (the glow comes from within.) Even though I still have that vitamin subscription, they’re coming in monthly, all the boxes piling up, and then the chlorophyll water. I haven’t touched it since 2021 and all my dried-out face masks are in the same drawer. I need someone to recommend me new products—seamoss gel, hyper-oxygenated water, collagen jelly? Do I still look young?” — The descriptive morning routine of a young woman on TikTok.

Professor Augustinus Bader is a globally recognized biomedical scientist and physician as well as an expert in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Having conducted research that focuses on the body’s capacity to heal and reawakening cells that become dormant due to aging or trauma for over 30 years, he developed a groundbreaking wound gel in 2008 that heals severe skin traumas without the need for surgery or skin grafts. It was this gel that inspired the doctor to create his own products, Augustinus Bader skincare. Here he talks about the perfect skincare routine and skincare by influencers vs. scientists.

Portrait of professor Augustinus Bader

CLAIRE KORON ELAT: Can you talk about the beginnings of your career and brand? During your studies, did you always know that you wanted to start a skincare brand?

AUGUSTINUS BADER: Creating a consumer skincare product wasn’t something I had previously considered. I am a scientist and physician by profession and do not have a traditional background in beauty product development. After years of working in the field of conventional stem cell technology, I began to understand how the body healed itself in conditions of trauma and inflammation, and I developed a revolutionary wound gel that would provide scar-free healing for patients without the need for surgery or skin grafts.

It was my partner in this enterprise, Charles Rosier, who had the vision to apply my years of research to consumer skincare products, leading me to create the TFC8®, Trigger Factor Complex TFC™, our proprietary technology. He thought if my technology could turn burned skin into perfect skin, then my know-how could be used to develop innovative skincare.

CKE: Amplified by social media, there seems to be a significant increase in interest in skincare. This led to many new skincare brands entering the market—some are even founded by influencers who don’t have any scientific background in skincare. What do you think about this trend?

AB: Skincare isn’t just about trends; it’s about creating products that truly support the skin’s natural processes and deliver lasting benefits to the skin. Your skin is your largest organ, and it deserves the utmost care. This is why it’s a vital investment in your long-term health.

Science and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. Our main focus is communicating the efficacy of our products and the science that backs them. By creating clean products that work we can speak to highly discerning consumers in a truly authentic way.

CKE: Would you generally recommend only using skincare developed by scientists?

AB: It is important to seek out skincare products backed by proven results, that contain clean ingredients, and that align with your skin’s needs. Ultimately, the goal is to support the skin’s intrinsic ability to heal and regenerate.

From left to right: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, The Cream Cleansing Gel, The Rich Eye Cream, The Serum

CKE: What happens to the skin when you use one of the Augustinus Bader serums? Can there be scientific changes to the skin after just one application?

AB: The key ingredient in our products is our TFC8® technology, a breakthrough technology backed by over 30 years of research. Alongside other active ingredients in our formulations, TFC8® works to promote continuous renewal and deliver visible results. It transforms potent base formulations into smart, adaptive skincare and haircare, addressing individual concerns—such as, the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, redness, cellulite, stretch marks, and damage from external stressors. TFC8® helps your skin rejuvenate itself and address your specific issues. That’s why our products are able to address such a wide range of concerns across all skin types.

The results speak for themselves—people’s skin is visibly healthier just weeks into using our products and we’ve won more than 185 global industry awards.

CKE: Many people on social media post their 12-step skincare routine. What is the perfect skincare routine for you?

AB: We offer flexible skincare that allows our users to choose what works best for them. Whether the user prefers a very simple routine—for example, a cleanser and The Cream or The Rich Cream—or a more involved multi-step routine; all of our products contain our proprietary TFC8® technology that helps support the skin’s health.

CKE: Do you think you should start using anti-aging products preventatively?

AB: It’s never too early to start a skincare routine. Conditioning your skin with powerfully innovative products in your 20s, 30s, and 40s gives you a head start in combating the appearance of lines, uneven texture, hyperpigmentation, dullness, and sagginess later on in life.

The focus is not necessarily on the pursuit of youth, but instead on the attainment of the body’s optimal condition and skin health. When your body’s supported and nourished, you can achieve the best version of yourself. Great skin is a reflection of health, regardless of age.

CKE: And what about more invasive skincare treatments such as microneedling, lasers, PRP treatments, and the like? Do you have to do these treatments while using skincare to achieve the “perfect” skin?

AB: Invasive skincare treatments can contribute to skin rejuvenation, but are not essential to achieving healthy, radiant skin. Our philosophy is rooted in providing the skin with the ingredients and environment it needs to heal itself, supporting the biological wisdom of the skin organ to repair itself day by day.