I tested Dua Lipa’s Augustinus Bader skincare line — including her ‘secret to glowing skin’

You could say this skincare launch has me levitating.

Yes, I went there. And honestly, when it comes to Dua Lipa entering the beauty space, a little wordplay feels earned. I have been obsessed with her since her very first album dropped. I still remember blasting it in my house and declaring to anyone who would listen that she was pop’s next big thing. 

So when I heard she was teaming up with Augustinus Bader on a skincare line, my two greatest passions — pop royalty and potent formulas — collided in the most glorious way possible.

“It’s everything I need, wherever I am,” the star says on the brand’s site, adding that the routine has left her with “clearer, stronger, healthier-looking skin”

The DUA by Augustinus Bader line is intentionally tight, and there are just three products: the Balancing Cream Cleanser, Renewal Cream and Supercharged Glow Complex — the latter of which Lipa calls her “secret to glowing skin.”

As someone who’s professionally tested skincare for more than half a decade, I was eager to get my hands on the new formulas. I have slathered, swiped, patted, massaged and occasionally regretted my way through hundreds of products — and seen celebrity beauty lines range from surprisingly chic to aggressively cash-grabby.

So when I say that Dua Lipa plus skincare is a match made in heaven, I am not just fangirling. I am evaluating with a well-moisturized, ingredient-literate eye.

My full review

Dua Lipa launched her eponymous skincare line in November 2025. Mikael Jansson; DUA by Augustinus Bader

Let’s start with the Balancing Cream Cleanser. From my experience, foams can strip the skin and balms sometimes cling, but this cleanser hits the sweet spot. It has a creamy texture that feels cushiony going on, and it gently emulsifies as you massage it into damp skin. I use it morning and night. In the morning, it removes the remnants of last night’s skincare and any oil that decided to throw a party while I slept. At night, it melts away sunscreen, makeup and the general chaos of the day.

DUA by Augustinus Bader Balancing Cream Cleanser

DUA by Augustinus Bader

What I appreciate most though, is what it does not do. It doesn’t leave my face tight or make my cheeks feel like parchment paper. Instead, my skin feels balanced, clean and prepped for what comes next.

I put the cream cleanser to the test — and was impressed with the results. Victoria McDonnell

Next comes the Supercharged Glow Complex — a serum step and, in my opinion, the star of the trio. The texture is lightweight and silky. It sinks in quickly, which is crucial because I do not have the patience to wait around for tackiness to dry.

DUA by Augustinus Bader Supercharged Glow Complex

Augustinus Bader

I use one to two pumps after cleansing, both morning and night. In the morning, it layers beautifully under sunscreen and makeup. At night, it feels like I am feeding my skin something substantial without overwhelming it. The formula includes brightening and barrier-supporting ingredients like niacinamide and marine-derived actives, and it is powered by Augustinus Bader’s proprietary complex designed to support skin renewal.

After consistent use, my skin looks more even and just generally happier. It has that subtle, lit-from-within vibe that makes you question whether you need foundation at all. As someone who has tested countless glow serums that either irritate or over-promise, this one feels thoughtfully balanced. It delivers radiance without redness.

The formula includes brightening and barrier-supporting ingredients. Victoria McDonnell

Finally, we have the Renewal Cream. This is the moisturizer that seals everything in and ties the routine together. The texture is lightweight but not flimsy. It spreads easily and absorbs without leaving a greasy film. I use it morning and night, pressing it into my skin rather than aggressively rubbing, because I like to pretend I am at a facialist instead of standing in my bathroom in pajamas. I’m so impressed by its natural shimmer and glow factor.

DUA by Augustinus Bader Renewal Cream

Augustinus Bader

The moisturizer was the final step of my routine. Victoria McDonnell

In the morning, it sits beautifully under sunscreen and does not pill under makeup. At night, it provides enough hydration that I wake up with skin that feels plump and calm. It is not the richest cream I have ever tried, so if you have extremely dry skin, you might want to layer a facial oil on top. But for normal to combination skin, it strikes a balance.

Is it worth it?

The product trio gave my skin a lit-from-within glow. Victoria McDonnell

What ultimately wins me over is that this line feels intentional. It feels like someone who travels the world, lives under stage lights and sits in makeup chairs for hours genuinely wanted a routine that works, and then partnered with a brand known for high-performance formulas to make it happen.

And as someone who has adored all things skincare for years, I can confidently say this routine fits seamlessly into real life. Cleanse in the shower. Apply the serum while mentally preparing for your day. Massage in the moisturizer before sunscreen and makeup. Or repeat the ritual at night while blasting “Levitating” and pretending your bathroom is Studio 54.

Dua Lipa brings the glow, the confidence and the cool, while Augustinus Bader brings the science, the research and the credibility. Together, they have created a trio that feels modern, elevated and refreshingly unfussy.

And if glowing skin that makes you want to dance around your kitchen is not the ultimate beauty goal, I don’t know what is.

How I tested

Victoria McDonnell

Here’s how I tested DUA by Augustinus Bader:

• Cleansing performance: I assessed how effectively the DUA Balancing Cream Cleanser removes makeup and oil buildup, without leaving your skin tight or stripped.
• Serum efficacy and absorption: I observed how easily the DUA Supercharged Glow Complex layer absorbed into my skin and whether it left my complexion feeling hydrated, plump and radiant.
• Moisturization and barrier support: I evaluated the moisturizing strength of the DUA Renewal Cream and noted if it helped reinforce my skin’s barrier, especially under changing weather conditions.
• Texture and sensory experience: I paid attention to the textures (e.g., creaminess, cream-to-foam feel) and how pleasant or lightweight each product felt on my skin during and after application.