The Eye Cream I Didn’t Want to Love (Yes, It’s Augustinus Bader)

Last Updated on June 19, 2026 by omgbart

I rolled my eyes at the price—until it made mine look better.

Augustinus Bader The Rich Eye Cream jar and box

If you’ve followed my skincare journey, you know I’m a firm believer in eye creams. My relationship with this category started at age 20, and I’ve been loyal ever since—not to one particular product, but to the ritual itself. Now, at 45, I’m proud to say the skin around my eyes has minimal (if any) visible expression lines. After sunscreen, this is the one habit I’m thrilled to have adopted early on.

Augustinus Bader rich eye cream before and after results selfie

As a fan of Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, I’ve seen firsthand how this cult-favorite moisturizer, loved by celebrities and skincare enthusiasts alike, can improve the appearance of skin. So when the brand launched The Rich Eye Cream, I was intrigued. Could this eye cream live up to its facial counterpart? After extended use, I’m ready to share my thoughts.

Augustinus Bader The Rich Eye Cream jar with steel wand applicator

Augustinus Bader Eye Cream: Rich vs Regular

The Rich Eye Cream is the third addition to Augustinus Bader’s eye care lineup, joining The Eye Cream and The Eye Patches. While I’ve yet to try The Eye Cream, I’ve enjoyed The Eye Patches for pre-event pick-me-ups. For years, I’ve extended The Rich Cream face formula around my eyes without any irritation or milia. Naturally, my first question was: how different is The Rich Eye Cream from its iconic face cream? Quite a bit, it turns out.

Quick orientation before you buy, since Augustinus Bader makes two eye creams and the names bury the difference. I tested The Rich Eye Cream, the one this review covers, and it's the heavier, more emollient formula the brand aims at normal to very dry skin. The Eye Cream, which I have not personally used, is the lighter one in the lineup, positioned for skin that wants hydration without the richness. Both run on the same TFC8 technology, so the real call comes down to texture and how dry your under-eye area runs. If your skin is on the drier side, the Rich one I tested is the safer bet. If you lean normal or get shiny by midday, The Eye Cream is the lighter option, though I can only point you toward it, not vouch for it the way I can the Rich.

Top of the Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream jar lid

What Does The Rich Eye Cream Do?

As the name suggests, The Rich Eye Cream delivers a nourishing, deeply moisturizing texture, ideal for normal to very dry skin. Infused with the brand’s proprietary TFC8® (Trigger Factor Complex)—a potent blend of amino acids, vitamins, and peptides—it aims to combat fine lines, loss of firmness, and signs of fatigue. In essence, this formula is designed to make your eye area appear smoother, brighter, and more youthful.

Texture of the Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream.

What’s Inside The Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream?

The formula marries sustainably sourced botanicals with cutting-edge skincare technology. Key ingredients include:

• Meadowfoam Seed Oil: Mimics natural sebum for optimal hydration.

• Reishi Mushroom and Gentian Root Extracts: Known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

• Camellia Leaf Extract: A powerful antioxidant.

• Matrikine Anti-Wrinkle Complex: A combination of peptides (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7) to smooth and firm skin.

Notably, the formula is fragrance-free, minimizing the risk of irritation.

Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream texture in open jar

How Does The Rich Eye Cream Perform?

I’ve been using The Rich Eye Cream morning and night. Its texture mirrors The Rich Cream’s signature “stretchy slip” that glides effortlessly over the skin and absorbs within seconds, leaving a soft, bouncy finish. If you’re expecting balm-like richness, this is not it. AB ‘rich’ means smooth, creamy, but definitely lotion-like. 

Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream in a morning skincare routine

If you’re a concealer user, you’ll appreciate how seamlessly it layers—no creasing or caking here. The immediate hydration and luminosity it delivers are undeniable. In warmer months I reach for something lighter during the day.

Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream steel wand applicator

Do You Need the Wand Applicator?

The eye cream includes a sleek, steel wand applicator designed to enhance your application routine. If you have a moment, use it to massage the cream around your eyes for a cooling, de-puffing effect. However, I often rely on just my fingertips. The warmth of your fingers can help the product absorb even better with a gentle tapping motion.

For best results, I recommend starting at the outer corner of the eye, working inward, then sweeping up and along the brow bone back to the outer corner. This technique has noticeably improved the firmness and smoothness of my eye area over time.

Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream on a bathroom vanity shelf

Final Verdict

If you’re already devoted to Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, you’ll likely fall for The Rich Eye Cream as well. Is it the best eye cream I’ve ever used? Not quite. But do I love it? Absolutely. Its rich hydration and instant luminosity make it a luxurious addition to my routine, and I trust the long-term benefits of TFC8 based on my experience with the brand’s other products.

Price and Where to Buy

The Rich Eye Cream retails for $205 (15ml) in the US and is available at augustinusbader.com, dermstore.com, violetgrey.com, sephora.com, and nordstrom.com or neimanmarcus.com.

If you're shopping from everywhere else, find it at modaoperandi.com, niche-beauty.com, cultbeauty.com or if you're reading this from Spain, make sure to pick yours up from abanuc.com.


Frequently asked questions


Is Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream worth it? 

If you're already using The Rich Cream and trust the TFC8 technology, yes. The hydration and luminosity are immediate. Long-term firmness and smoothness improvements come with consistent use.

How do I justify the splurge?

Easy. Just like my recommendation with The Rich Cream for the face, I recommend you alternate this AB formula with something else that is rich and hard-working (just less advanced) every other night. If you like the texture of this one, you should get the Jones Road Beauty Rich Eye Cream.

How is The Rich Eye Cream different from The Rich Cream? 

The face cream can be used around the eyes, and I did this for years without issue. But The Rich Eye Cream is specifically formulated for the delicate eye area with targeted peptides and botanicals. The texture is similar but the ingredient focus is different.

Do you need the wand applicator? 

No, but it's worth using when you have time. The steel wand delivers a cooling, de-puffing effect. Fingertips work just as well for everyday application — the warmth helps the product absorb faster.

How do you apply eye cream correctly? 

Start at the outer corner, work inward, then sweep up along the brow bone back to the outer corner. Use a gentle tapping motion rather than rubbing. This technique supports lymphatic drainage and improves absorption.

Is Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream good for sensitive skin? 

Yes. The formula is fragrance-free which significantly reduces the risk of irritation around the delicate eye area. The ingredient list is clean and well-tolerated across most skin types.


Augustinus Bader The Rich Eye Cream ingredient list.

Other Eye Creams I Love

Eye cream recommendations are among the top three questions I get from friends and readers alike. If you’re exploring other options, here are a few I always recommend:

• ISDIN K-Ox Eyes

• Clarins Total Eye Lift

Filorga Optim-Eyes


Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no cost to you. It helps keep my mist habit funded and this blog running. Thank you for reading.


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