I’m Always Being Asked If This Rich Cream Is Worth the Price (Yes), But Here Are 10 Less Spendy Alts

It happens like clockwork. As soon as the weather dips below 40°, at least one person per week hits me with some version of the following: Is the Augustinus Bader Rich Cream really worth it? To this, I immediately respond, “Yes, yes it is.”

The confection in question doesn’t just coddle chapped skin with soothing fatty acids and barrier-supporting antioxidants. It also stimulates cell renewal with a patented complex called TFC8, softening fine lines, tightening skin, and brightening tone. It’s both an effective winter moisturizer and a potent powerhouse for addressing skin aging.

You could theoretically use it year-round, but like its name suggests, the texture is quite dense (friends with oily or combination skin, you should know it leaves behind a dewy sheen), so I like to slather it on during the colder months. In fact, I have multiple bottles stashed in my beauty cabinet to save for winter’s first chill as if I’m some hardworking squirrel preparing for hibernation. As you can probably tell by my hoarding, I firmly believe the bottle is 100% worth the hype.

The only issue? A 1.7-ounce bottle is tagged at $315. It’s definitely a luxury (one that merits the price, I assure you), so I understand if dropping that much coin doesn’t make sense for your skincare budget. When my friends and family members come to me with the aforementioned ask, I often suggest a happy medium: Treat yourself to the AB elixir on special occasions—a birthday perhaps or whenever the bottle goes on sale—and rely on less spendy alternatives with similar benefits in the interim.

After testing hundreds of whip-thick moisturizers over the years, I’ve come up with a superb list of swaps for the Rich Cream–curious. Below, explore the 10 perfect alts.