Bottom of the Jar Review: Does the Golden Hour Serum Live Up to the Hype?

A Closer Look at the Golden Hour Serum from Educated Mess

The golden hour serum from Educated Mess has been gaining popularity lately, especially among skincare enthusiasts and influencers. This vitamin C serum aims to provide various skin benefits like brightening, anti-aging, and antioxidant protection. But does it live up to the hype? Let's take a closer look in this bottom of the jar review.

About Educated Mess and Their Skincare Philosophy

Educated Mess was founded by Alex in 2022 with a focus on high quality but affordable skincare products. According to Alex, Educated Mess believes in keeping things simple and effective when it comes to skincare. Their products contain thoughtfully chosen ingredients backed by science.

The brand avoids misleading marketing claims and focuses on proven ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, etc. Their products are cruelty-free, vegan, and made in the USA.

Key Ingredients in the Golden Hour Serum

Here are the main ingredients in this serum:

• 15% L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Vitamin E
• Ferulic Acid
• Konjac Root
• Chamomile Extract

The star ingredient is vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid, which has research showing its effectiveness for brightness and collagen production. Vitamin C works best at a concentration of 10-20%, so the 15% in this serum is an ideal amount.

The vitamin C is stabilized and boosted by ferulic acid and vitamin E. Hyaluronic acid helps draw moisture into the skin, while konjac root smoothes and softens skin texture. Chamomile extract rounds out the formula with calming and antioxidant benefits.

My Experience Using the Golden Hour Serum

Here is how this vitamin C serum performed for my skin after using it morning and evening for about 2 months:

• Brightened my complexion - my skin looked visibly more radiant.
• Faded some sun spots and acne marks - not completely but noticeably lighter.
• Smoothed my skin texture - my skin felt softer and looked more even.
• Helped improve skin firmness - my skin looked more taut, especially around the jawline.
• Never irritated my sensitive skin.

I'm in my late 30s so anti-aging benefits are top of mind for me. This serum really delivered in making my skin look more youthful and healthy. The lightweight texture absorbed quickly without stickiness or irritation. It layers well under makeup too.

Packaging

The Golden Hour Serum comes in a 1 oz glass bottle with a dropper. The dropper makes it easy to control how much product you use. The bottle protects the vitamin C from light and air exposure. One bottle lasts me around 2 months with regular use.

The Bottom Line

Overall, I'm very impressed with the Educated Mess Golden Hour Serum! It provides multiple skin benefits like brightness, smoothing, firming, and antioxidant protection. The formula contains gold standard anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C, ferulic acid, and vitamin E. And it suits even my sensitive skin.

While $68 for a 1 oz bottle is not cheap, it's very competitively priced compared to similar premium vitamin C serums on the market. I would repurchase this serum over and over again. It has earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine. I would highly recommend giving it a try if you're looking to upgrade your vitamin C game!

FAQs

What are the key ingredients in the Golden Hour Serum?

The key ingredients are 15% vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, ferulic acid, konjac root, and chamomile extract. This formula includes a high concentration of stabilized vitamin C along with supporting ingredients for maximum anti-aging benefits.

How should I incorporate this serum into my routine?

Apply a few drops of the serum after cleansing and toning, before applying moisturizer and SPF. You can use it once or twice daily. Avoid direct contact with eyes. Introduce it slowly if you have sensitive skin.

Does the Golden Hour Serum help with acne?

While it's not formulated specifically for acne treatment, the vitamin C and chamomile can help calm inflammation and reduce post-acne marks. But if acne is your main concern, a serum with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may be more effective.

What is the shelf life for this serum?

Unopened, the serum should remain effective for about 1 year if stored away from heat and sunlight. After opening, try to use it within 3-4 months before vitamin C degradation occurs.

Is the Golden Hour Serum cruelty-free and vegan?

Yes, Educated Mess is a cruelty-free brand and this serum is 100% vegan. No animal testing or animal-derived ingredients are used.