I Tested This Japanese Plant-Based Serum for 60 Days – Here’s What Happened to My Fine Lines
At 52, I thought I’d made peace with my aging skin. The fine lines around my eyes and the dull complexion staring back at me every morning all were inevitable stages of life that I had come to terms with.
But here’s the thing: what really bothered me wasn’t the wrinkles themselves. It was the constant anxiety.
That nagging concern every time I looked in the mirror or caught my reflection in a window.
Does that make sense? Like, I’d be having a perfectly good day, and then I’d see myself in any mirror (rear view, vanity mirror, etc.) and wonder where the years went and when my skin changed?
I had tried everything. The expensive department store serums that cost more than my cell phone bill. The dermatologist recommendations. Even that 10-step Korean skincare routine that took up half my bathroom counter.
Some helped for a bit. Most just emptied my wallet and left me disappointed.
Then my friend, Freddie (who has insanely beautiful skin), mentioned something called Hydrossential one morning, and I’ll be honest. I rolled my eyes.
Another “miracle” serum? Please.
But she kept talking about the ingredient list, and I got curious. Japanese Witch Hazel? Gotu Kola? These weren’t the usual suspects I’d seen in every other bottle.
So I figured, why not? I ordered it. And what happened over the next two months actually surprised me.
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Quick disclosure: This article has affiliate links, meaning I might earn a small commission at no cost to you if you buy through my link. I only recommend items and produccts I’ve actually tried myself.
Hydrossential is basically a beauty serum created by this biochemist named Emma Smith who spent 15 years studying water retention. Instead of loading it up with synthetic chemicals (which, let’s be real, most of us can’t even pronounce), she went the plant-based route.
Here’s what’s in it:
- Japanese Witch Hazel for tightening
- Aloe Barbadensis for hydration
- Jojoba Oil that mimics your skin’s natural oils
- Gotu Kola for collagen support
- Camellia Sinensis for antioxidants
What got my attention was how they source everything. The plants are grown locally, no chemical treatments, and they let them fully mature before harvesting.
It’s made in the USA in an FDA-approved facility.
I know that sounds like marketing talk, but after so many questionable products, these details actually mattered to me.
What Actually Happened (The Real Story)
Week 1-2: Okay, so… nothing dramatic at first. I’m not gonna lie and say I woke up looking 10 years younger. But my skin did feel softer. More hydrated. The serum absorbed really quickly, which was nice because I hate that sticky residue some products leave. I used it twice a day after washing my face.
Week 3-4: This is when things got interesting. I was getting ready for work one morning, and I noticed the fine lines around my eyes looked less… there? Like, they were still there, but softer somehow.
The confirmation came when my husband asked if I was doing something different to my skin. That’s when I knew something was actually happening.
Week 5-8: The real payoff came here. My skin had this glow I hadn’t seen since around my thirties. Not the “I just finished a workout” kind of flush, but genuinely healthy-looking and even.
The deeper lines on my forehead? Still there—I mean, let’s be realistic, I’m not expecting magic. But they were noticeably softer. And my jawline looked tighter, which was huge for me.
Day 60: I did that thing where you compare photos from the beginning. You know, the side-by-side thing? The difference was clear enough that I immediately ordered more bottles.
The Good Stuff
Here’s what I genuinely liked:
The ingredients didn’t have any weird chemicals that I needed a degree in chemistry to understand or read. They were all natural.
It’s lightweight and absorbs fast, so I can put makeup on right after without it pilling up (if you know, you know).
The results were noticeable.
Not overnight, obviously, but by week three or four, I could actually see a difference.
It’s made in the USA in an FDA-approved facility, which gave me peace of mind.
And they have a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you’re not really gambling your money.
The Not-So-Great Parts
Let me be straight with you about the downsides:
You can only buy it on their website. Can’t just grab it at Ulta or Walgreens, which is kind of annoying.
It takes time to work. So, if you need results for an event next week, this isn’t your solution.
It’s not the cheapest option out there, though they do offer discounts when you buy multiple bottles.
And apparently, they run out of stock a lot because of how they source ingredients. I didn’t believe this at first, but when I went to reorder, they were actually sold out for like three weeks.
Is This Right For You?
You'll probably love this if:
- You’re dealing with early to moderate aging signs (not super deep wrinkles).
- You prefer natural, plant-based products.
- Your skin is sensitive and freaks out with harsh chemicals.
- You’re patient enough to let it work gradually.
Maybe skip it if:
- You want dramatic overnight results (not realistic anyway, but still).
- You’re on a super tight budget and need the absolute cheapest option.
- You only shop for skincare in physical stores.
- You have severe aging that probably needs prescription treatments.
Here's What I Really Think
Look, I’m not gonna sit here and tell you Hydrossential erased 10 years from my face or made me look like I’m 25 again. That would be a lie, and you’d know it.
But here’s what it did do: it made me stop obsessing!
That morning anxiety I mentioned? The one where I’d scrutinize every line and sag? It’s gone.
I look in the mirror now and just see myself. Not every flaw magnified. Just me, looking pretty good for 52.
The 60-day money-back guarantee is legit, which means you can try it without really risking anything. If it doesn’t work? Get your money back.
Done.
For me, the combo of natural ingredients, actual visible results, and getting my confidence back made it worth every penny.
I’m on my third bottle now.
How to Actually Get It
So here’s the deal. Hydrossential only sells through their official website. Which honestly, I prefer now because it means you’re not getting some sketchy knockoff version.
They’re offering free shipping in the US right now, and pretty big discounts if you buy the 3 or 6-bottle packages.
Fair warning though: they really do run out.
The creator sources ingredients seasonally, and when they’re gone, restocking apparently takes about 8 months. I learned this the hard way.
Questions You're Probably Wondering
How long does one bottle last? For me, using it morning and night, about a month.
Can I use it with my other skincare products? Yes. I use it after cleansing, before moisturizer. Layers fine with sunscreen and makeup.
Does it work on all skin types? It’s pretty gentle since it’s natural, but everyone’s different. That’s exactly why the 60-day guarantee exists.
Is there a subscription I’m signing up for? Nope. One payment, done. No sneaky auto-shipments or hidden fees.
What if it just doesn’t work for me? Contact them within 60 days, get a full refund. Even if you used the whole bottle. Pretty straightforward.
Look, skincare is super personal. What worked for me might be totally different for you. But with the money-back guarantee, you’re not really risking anything by giving it a shot. That’s honestly why I tried it in the first place.
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