UPDATE: This article is a product review of Mad Hippie aHA Exfoliating Peel that was formerly named Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum. Read our experience.
Exfoliation enables proper absorption of actives and removes dull, bacteria-trapping dead skin. Exfoliation can also irritate and leave skin dry and peeling.
Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum is an impressive exfoliative that doesn’t sting, irritate or burn, yet gently removes dead skin with ZERO itchy, red peeling. And it is packed with all kinds of goodness to improve skin texture and clarity while fading discoloration. Apply it at night, and wake up to smoother skin!
Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum is now called aHA Exfoliating Peel
About Exfoliating Sensitive Skin
Exfoliating sensitive skin is necessary but tricky.
Our three test subjects used Mad Hippie Exfoliative Serum for one week. All three experienced a major exfoliative impact with zero rubbing, scrubbing or skin irritation.
OF NOTE: Two of our three Style Chicks team testers have very sensitive skin. They cannot tolerate most traditional exfoliation scrubs or Glycolic peels higher than 10%. They had no problems with this serum.
Why Mad Hippie Exfoliative Serum works
While it is not irritating, it is powerful. Don’t layer it with other actives like Alpha Lipoic Acid, Retinol or Mad Hippie Triple C Night Cream. Plenty is going on already in this formulation, it contains 16 actives. There are aHAs, peptides, antioxidants and excellent buffers. Let’s take a look:
Ingredient Profile
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid (AHA) loosens the glue that adheres dry, dead skin to healthy skin, and then dissolves away the dead skin. It is a superior form of exfoliation for mature skin because there is no rubbing or pulling the skin. There is also little to no peeling and limited redness or irritation after use. Skin is brighter, younger, softer, with few lines and wrinkles, and it glows like younger skin. Glycolic Acid reduces acne scars. [1] Glycolic Acid also promotes collagen production.
Malus Domestica
Malus Domestica
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract is Apple Stem Cells. Malus Domestica is a Swiss Apple particularly suited for creating vegan-based stem cells. The stem cells build new tissue, delay aging and fight wrinkles.
Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate Acid)
Hyaluronic Acid retains moisture and increases the effectiveness of other ingredients. Hyaluronic acid holds its weight in moisturizer. It holds so much moisture that it instantly plumps fine lines. This plumps the skin, making fine wrinkles and mild sagging temporarily disappear.
Sodium HA is a non-synthesized form of Hyaluronic Acid. It has Hyaluronic Acid benefits. It is a humectant and offers stronger moisture retention properties than regular HA. It is found naturally and ample supply in young skin, but depletes with age.
Sodium Hyaluronate Acid has a lower molecular size compared to other Hyaluronic Acids. This is good because it can absorb deeper into the skin.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid exfoliates and brightens skin. It is gentler than glycolic acid. Lactic acid holds moisture while increasing firmness and skin thickness.
Glycerin
Glycerin a non-toxic natural humectant. It helps skin attract and maintain moisture. It fills in gaps in dryer skin which makes skin look better and keeps the outer layer of the skin intact.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin E softens skin texture. Vitamin E makes rough, sunburned, scarred or otherwise damaged skin soft and pliable. Once the skin is pliable, other treating ingredients can work their magic.
Matrixyl Synthe’ 6
A polypeptide concoction that stimulates the production of collagen I and IV. This peptide cocktail contains Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38. Palmitoyl tripeptide-38 is a vegan ingredient. It improves fine lines and wrinkles, most notably forehead lines and crow’s feet.
Matrixyl Synthe’ 6 is a notable inclusion in this serum, as it does the work of a heavy-duty nighttime serum.
Goji Berries
Goji Berry Extract
Goji berry (Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract) is an antioxidant that softens the skin. It is considered a superfruit.
Vitamin B5
(Panthenol) is a humectant that fosters skin healing. [2]
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a Vitamin B3 derivative. It combats sallowness, blotchiness and the hyperpigmented spots in aging skin. It addresses a loss of elasticity and reduces redness. It also fades acne scars and brightens the skin.
White Tea Extract (Camelia Sinensis)
White tea is gentle yet powerful. It has similar benefits to Green Tea with phenols and EGCG. As a topical ingredient, it evens the skin tone. It is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It reduces redness and inflammation around the delicate eye area. White tea also contains EGCG, which enables the production of new cells in the epidermis [3]. It contains phenols to strengthen collagen and elastin. This gives skin a bouncy, younger look while delaying wrinkles.
Caffeine stimulates blood circulation
Caffeine
Caffeine has antioxidant properties and slows down photo-aging. Caffeine stimulates blood circulation and reduces puffiness. It is particularly effective on firmness, reducing fine lines and crow’s feet.
Biotin
Biotin is Vitamin H, AKA B7. It is responsible for building blocks of protein and is involved in skin moisture levels.
Ceramide-3
Ceramide-3 is an excellent moisturizing ingredient. Ceramides are fatty acids that hold cells together to protect the epidermis. Ceramides create a protective barrier layer, hold in moisture and plump the skin. Natural ceramides deplete with age. Even younger skin loses ceramides when using harsh cleansers or drying skincare products. Ceramide-3 keeps skin hydrated without being greasy.
Vegan squalene comes from olives
Squalene (Vegan)
Vegan squalene comes from olives. Squalene mimics the skin’s natural sebum and makes the skin barrier extra smooth and soft. Suitable for even highly sensitive or irritated skin. Helpful for acne.
Gigawhite
Gigawhite is a combination of natural herbs and flowering plants that promote skin brightening.
Specifically:
Mallow
Mallow Malva Sylvestris (mallow) Extract
Mallow is a natural floral extract. It contains Vitamins A, C and E. It nourishes dry and damaged skin, restoring elasticity. Mallow softens while being gentle enough for the most sensitive of skin.
Piperita Leaf Extract
Piperita Leaf Extract is a variety of Peppermint. It has both cooling and anesthetic properties to quell skin irritation.
It also soothes rough & dry skin.
Primula Veris Extract
Cowslip
Primula Veris Extract is an herb commonly known as cowslip. It has cell-regenerating effects that help skin recover from topical actives.
It contains C and beta carotene to even out skin tone and it reduces acne scars.
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract comes from the Ladys mantle flower/herb. It is rich in tannins, flavonoids, and salicylic acid. Salicylic build collagen and treats acne.
Veronica Officinalis flower
Veronica Officinalis Extract
Veronica Officinalis Extract comes from a wildflower. It contains Vitamins C, E, and K to condition and heal the skin.
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract is lemon balm leaf. It contains caffeine & ferulic acid. It counteracts sun damage.
Achillea Millefolium Extract
Yarrow
Achillea Millefolium Extract is Yarrow. Yarrow is used in ancient and folk medicine practices. It reduces inflammation while promoting healing and circulation.
My Experience
Use half a dropper of serum on the face and throat. I tap it on around the eye area/orbital bone but keep it away from the eye. There is no stinging or burning. I wait about 10-15 minutes and apply moisturizer on top. No pilling.
The Exfoliating Serum as seen in the Maddie Hippie Serum Combo. Apply one-half dropper of the serum to face and throat.
In the morning, the skin seems evener. There is no dryness. Upon face washing, dead skin just gently melts off without rubbing and scrubbing. There is no telltale redness or peeling flakes. Skin is just soft and smooth.
It is gentle enough to use nightly, I use it every other night. I find it effective to alternate off this serum and Mad Hippie Triple C Night Cream. Sensitive Skin users might try using Mad Hippie Exfoliative Serum 2 nights a week and the Vitamin C Serum daily.
Product Directions and Ingredients
Where to Find It
Mad Hippie Exfoliative Serum is available at Mad Hippie as part of the Mad Hippie Serum Combo set and sold separately.
Mad Hippie is also available at Whole Foods and Ulta
Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum contains 16 actives for better skin
QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?
Have any comments or questions about Mad Hippie Exfoliative Serum? The Style Chicks are here to answer them.
Leave a comment or email us at questions@stylechicks.com
References
- J Cosmet Dermatol.2017 Dec;16(4):454-459. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12377. Epub 2017 Oct 26.
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, August 2016, pages 1-7; and December 2002, pages 173-178
- Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, July 2001, pages 392–399
ABOUT THIS POST
Mad Hippie Exfoliative Serum was submitted to Style Chicks for consideration purposes. All opinions and experiences are 100% our own.
