Welcome back to Worth It, a bi-weekly breakdown of the new beauty products Ive tested and adored: Im talking that drain-it-to-the-bottom-and-tell-my-friends-Ive-found-The-One kind of love. If it's featured here, consider this my permission to splurge on it. Read on for the product you dont want to live without, and catch up on the latest Worth It breakdown here.

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The Cream

$170.00

When you try The Cream, it comes at a price. You know, not your soul or an Infinity Gauntlet situation, but it's hefty nonetheless: $265 for 50 mls of the world-famous lotion. That said, its a skincare nerds dream. Bader, a professor and director of Applied Stem Cell Biology and Cell Technology at the University of Leipzig in Germany, is considered the top scientist in the world on the subject of regenerative tissue. His work, particularly his extensive studies on disfiguring burns and wound healing, led him to create the illustrious cream: The formulas secret is its TFC8 (Trigger Factor Complex 8), a proprietary blend that the brand says will activate the bodys own stem cells to promote major anti-aging benefits like minimized lines, even tone, and redness-reduction.

Ive been aware of the product's cult-status for years, but I honestly just tried it for shits-and-gigs. My skin is typically easily managed: I get ruddy and dry, and I tend to develop tiny, under-the-skin bumps on my cheeks after I sleep on hotel sheets (should I forget my Slip pillowcase). On rare occasions, Ill wake up with a pimple thats so mountainous and painful that I wonder if I contracted staph on the F train. But for the most part, I have good skin, and Im grateful for it. Thats why I typically seek out products that impart glowiness and hydration rather than something to totally overhaul my facebut that's exactly what The Cream claims to do.

Despite my dry skin type, I chose the original formula rather than the Rich Cream (I prefer lighter textures when it comes to moisture). I also didnt adhere to the proper instructions: Bader recommends using it for 27 days, minimum, with no additional skincare products except for cleanser, but I couldnt bring myself to abandon the rest of my arsenal. Instead, I used this as my last step in both my morning and evening routines.

My makeup went on smoothly in the mornings, but my off-dry skin never felt truly quenched before bed unless I applied a hydrating serum underneath. Meh. Yet, after about three weeks, I started to receive an onslaught of complexion compliments. I guess I havent looked as red recently, I thought. And I didnt have any active pimples, so I didnt think much of it. Ill take a good skin week anytime.

But one morning, mid-glam, I realized Id forgotten to apply both foundation and concealer and had gone straight for my Nudestix blush stick. I genuinely couldnt tell if Id put my complexion makeup on. Peter Parker getting stuck to the ceiling on his first morning as Spiderman? Same level of confusion. I took a closer look, skeptical. Do I look amazing?

Rather than that translucent, un-plump look my skin usually has in the morning, it appeared stronger, almost thicker. My fair tone was even and clear, and my typical little dark circles were nowhere to be found, seemingly buried underneath my reinforced complexion.

I do. I look fucking amazing.

I suddenly felt invinciblelike my own more stunning evil twin, or a supervillain whod traded their lovers heart for immense power and was rewarded with that golden, CGI glow-from-within that comes with Marvel-sanctioned immortality. I was transformed, and the expensive blue bottle on my dresser was the precious source of my new supremacy.

Ive been using The Cream ever since (about three months now) and my complexion has a whole new baseline. When people ask if it's really worth it, rather than offer a cheaper alternative like I typically do with products this expensive, I answer: This shit is wild.

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Augustinus Bader's The Cream Review - MarieClaire.com