Bondi Sands Gold'n Hour Vitamin C Serum

Bondi Sands Gold'n Hour Vitamin C Serum

Efficacy91/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Anti-aging
Ascorbic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“At the heart of the formula is the HG antioxidant, vitamin C which helps to coax collagen production into gear as well as thwarting age spots and brightening your complexion in general.”
Source: Cultbeauty

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

Ascorbic acidHeroEffect: HighThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~6.8–10.1%
Evens skin tone
Ascorbic acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract
Works well
What the product description says
“Flooding lacklustre complexions with a shot of vitamin C, this twice-daily treatment brightens uneven, dull skin for simply radiant results.”
Source: Cultbeauty

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

Ascorbic acidHeroEffect: HighThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~6.8–10.1%
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractEffect: LowA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals~0.1–0.45%
Moisturizing
Glycerin, Propylene glycol
Works
What the product description says
“Working to revive lacklustre complexions, the serum encourages radiant-looking skin, while hydrating and providing a soothing effect.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, propylene glycol.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.7–5.5%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~2.7–4%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Ascorbic acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract + 1 more
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

Ascorbic acidHeroEffect: HighThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~6.8–10.1%
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractEffect: LowA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals~0.1–0.45%
Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking~0.05–0.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Citrus australasica fruit extract
Medium risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Ascorbic acidThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of agingHigh~6.8–10.1%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~2.7–4%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.55%est.
Citrus australasica fruit extract—High~0.05–0.3%est.
CarrageenanHelps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulationMedium~0.85–1.3%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.45–1.1%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.5%est.
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lackingMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
CarrageenanHelps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation3/5~0.85–1.3%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ascorbic acid~6.8–10.1%
Hero · Anti-aging, Anti-oxidation, Evens skin toneIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging

More about Ascorbic acid
Glycerin~3.7–5.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Propylene glycol~2.7–4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Xanthan gum~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Benzyl alcohol~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Carrageenan~0.85–1.3%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5

Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation

More about Carrageenan
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.45–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium citrate~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Citric acid~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Citrus australasica fruit extract~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · high
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryReduces rednessEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAntibacterial

A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals

More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract
Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking

More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract
Ingredient list view

Water, Ascorbic acid, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Benzyl alcohol, Carrageenan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium citrate, Citric acid, Citrus australasica fruit extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)30 ml
≈ $8.98 Out of stock
Check
🇬🇧 Cultbeauty (UK)30 ml
≈ $13.40 Out of stock
Check
🇬🇧 Amazon UK (UK)Price as of 11/7 15:00 GMT
≈ $14.01
Buy
🇦🇺 Amazon Australia (AU)Price as of 11/4 21:08 GMT
≈ $17.57
Buy

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Bondi SandsGold'n Hour Vitamin C SerumYOUR PRODUCTRegimen LabVitamin XNourishMaxVITAMIN C + B + E + FERULIC & RETINOL SERUMFormulystActive Serum – Vitamin B, C, E, Ferulic + Niacinamide
Match—100%100%100%
Price—$55.00$59.00—
Shared key ingredients—2 of 22 of 22 of 2
Key difference—Ferulic AcidFerulic AcidFerulic Acid
Irritancy Medium Low Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: SkinCeuticals Serum 20 AOX+ Vitamin C for wrinklesSeoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum

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Product summary

"Bondi Sands - Gold'n Hour Vitamin C Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging and Evens skin tone

This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 6.80% (declared) It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in it is no longer effective.
  • Humectants (glycerin 3.70% - 5.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Bondi Sands" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails for 15.99$ in the United States, from 6.69£ up to 9.99£ in the United Kingdom and for 17.50CA$ in Canada.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
  5. 5
Bondi Sands Gold'n Hour Vitamin C Serum
Bondi SandsGold'n Hour Vitamin C Serum

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.