There’s no denying that the world of celebrity beauty brands is oversaturated: there’s Hailey Bieber’s Rhode, Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty, Fenty by Rihanna and Harry Styles’s Pleasing. Famous faces are increasingly behind all our favourite skincare and make-up products – and the latest A-lister in line is Dua Lipa.
Rather than opting for make-up or fragrance, the singer and Service95 book club host has unveiled a streamlined, science-backed skincare line with Professor Augustinus Bader’s eponymous beauty brand. Best known for its patent-pending TFC8® technology that helps to reduce signs of ageing, Augustinus Bader combines innovation with his own expertise in the skin’s biology.
The brand’s range of skin-smoothing, radiance-boosting and anti-ageing formulas are lauded by beauty editors, dermatologists and celebrities alike, including Victoria Beckham, Margot Robbie and Kim Kardashian.
Dua Lipa is also in the fan club – an endorsement that led to her three-strong skincare range with the cult brand. “I created this skincare line to be my everyday essential – a skincare routine that’s clean, effective, and effortless,” she said.
“It was incredibly important to me to work with a team who values the use of clean formulas and high-quality ingredients, and I knew I could trust Augustinus Bader to help bring this to life based on their attention to detail and the level of importance they place on the science that goes into each product.”
Formulated with Augustinus Bader’s TFC5™ technology, the DUA collection aims to adapt to individual skin concerns. “My hope is that these become your daily essentials too – at home, on the go, and everywhere in between.” Designed to slim down your skincare regime, there are just three products in the range – but all three combined cost less than one of Augustinus Bader’s notoriously expensive products, making the singer’s line a great gateway to the brand.
But the products still total £144 for three formulas – and they’re all travel size. To see if it’s just another celebrity beauty brand or something more special, I incorporated the skincare products into my regimen for a month – here’s my verdict.
How I tested
For one month, I swapped my usual skincare routine for Dua Lipa’s collection with Augustinus Bader. The first step was cleansing – I assessed how easy the cream-to-foam formula removed makeup, SPF, oil and build up, without stripping skin. I changed my usual morning and evening serum for the vitamin-infused solution, considering its claims of firming and smoothing skin. Finally, the singer says the renewal cream is her “secret for plump, dewy skin, from morning to midnight.” I weighed up how accurate these claims are. I also noted the pricing and value for money that the formulas offer.
Dua by AB the balancing cream cleanser
Why we love it: Nourishing, it isn’t stripping, boosts hydration levels
Designed to visibly plump and boost hydration levels, Dua Lipa said: “I wanted a cleanser that works hard but still feels gentle on my skin.” I find traditional foaming cleansers can be quite stripping on my skin, making it feel tight after use. Cream cleansers are generally gentler on skin, nourishing and hydrating the barrier, while removing dirt, oil and build-up.
Dua Lipa’s formula delivers on all fronts. Starting as a soft cream that boosts hydration levels, water emulsifies it into a foam cleanser. It successfully removes face makeup, SPF and daily build-up, while softening the skin’s texture ahead of applying serums and moisturisers. At the end of a long day, it’s the perfect tonic. At £32, it’s a nice introduction to Augustinus Bader, at a lower price point.
Dua by AB supercharged glow complex
Why we love it: Lightweight, fast absorbing, nice for everyday application
Take note: No noticeable transformation in skin with long-term use, expensive
Step two involves the supercharged glow complex. This vitamin-infused solution claims to firm skin, fade blemishes and smooth the appearance of fine lines. “It instantly revives my skin – even after long days or late nights,” Dua Lipa says.
After testing it for a month, I wouldn’t say I’ve seen a big change in my skin, particularly given the formula’s £65 price. However, the serum is beautifully lightweight, absorbs quickly and does give skin a noticeable glow after use. It’s definitely more gentle on skin than Augustinus Bader’s main line of serums, but doesn’t have the same inside-out effects. Though a perfectly nice everyday serum for hydrating and nourishing skin, don’t expect transformative results.
Dua by AB the renewal cream
Why we love it: Hydrates without heaviness, lightweight, subtly plumps, non-greasy finish
Take note: Ultra-dry skin might find it too lightweight
This multi-tasking moisturiser claims to deliver long-lasting hydration without heaviness, while improving the skin’s elasticity. On paper – tick, tick, tick. In testing, I loved how lightweight and hydrating the formula is. Its texture is close to a gel-based cream, locking in moisture and subtly plumping skin, without looking greasy or feeling too heavy. I prefer a heavier moisturiser in the evening, so I’ve been using Dua Lipa’s product in the morning. It sits nicely under makeup, without piling.
If you’ve got particularly dry skin, you might find it too light. When I had a particularly dry bout of winter skin, I had to bring out the big guns (see Kiehl’s new ultra facial cream), but come summer, I can see the renewal cream being a lovely everyday product.
Is Dua by AB worth it?
With Augustinus Bader’s cult formulas starting from £62 and its bestselling moisturiser setting you back £155 for just 30ml, all its luxury and science does come at a cost. However, Dua by AB costs £144 for all three formulas. The cleanser is 125ml, the serum is 30ml and the moisturiser is 50ml. While still expensive, it’s certainly a more accessible way of trying Augustinus Bader’s efficacious formulas.
However, I think you’ll get better value for money buying the products separately – and giving the serum a miss. The cleanser is a stellar formula that gently soothes, nourishes and cleans skin at the end of the day. It’s £32, but it will last you a good while thanks to the emulsifying cream formula. Similarly, the renewal cream is a lovely everyday product. Lightweight, hydrating and smoothing, it’s earned a spot in my summer skincare rotation – but you might want something heavier for the winter months.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Daisy Lester is a senior shopping writer, having reviewed beauty for IndyBest for years. Whether writing guides to the best gradual tans, lip liners or eyelash curlers, she applies the same thorough testing process to bring readers the best recommendations. When it comes to skincare, she looks to ingredients that are kind to skin and brands that you can really trust.
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