Glycolic Acid

Flake-free Exfoliation with Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum

January 22, 2020 · 12 Comments

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

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 it 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 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.

StyleChicks defines Mad Hippie ingredients

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 0f serum on the face and throat. It is okay to use around the eye area/orbital bone but keep it out of the eye. There is no stinging or burning. I wait about 10-15 minutes and apply moisturizer on top.

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 a serum combo or separately:

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 392â€“399

ABOUT THIS POST

Mad Hippie Exfoliative Serum was submitted to Style Chicks for consideration purposes. All opinions and experiences are 100% our own.

Favorite Skincare Ingredients: Glycolic Acid (AHA): The No-Peeling Anti-Aging Skin Peel

February 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Glycolic Acid (AHA) is the covert operator of the Style Chicks’ Favorite Skincare Ingredients series because it gives suspiciously good, younger-than-expected skin results with virtually no downtime, skin flaking or peeling. Regular AHA peels reveal softer, younger skin with a refined texture, all while reducing pores, fine lines, discoloration, brown spots & acne.

ABOUT GLYCOLIC ACID (AHA)

AHA (also known as Glycolic Acid) works in an unusual way: it loosens the glue that adheres dry, dead skin to healthy skin, and just dissolves away the dead skin. That means skin is left with little to no peeling or sloughing sections, and if done correctly; there is little in the way of dryness, redness or irritation after use. Skin is brighter, younger, softer, with few lines and wrinkles, and it glows like younger skin.

WHY WE LIKE IT

We prefer Glycolic Acid to other types of exfoliants because there is no rough, abrasive scrubbing involved. Scrubbing with or without harsh grains can tear and damage healthy skin. AHA gets the job done with no pulling, tugging, or tearing of the skin, which makes AHA particularly useful to those over 35 or for those with skin conditions such as acne or eczema.

With an AHA peel, there is almost never the uneven peeling that often comes with many chemical peels or scrubs, so there is less post-peel downtime with AHA. Skin is just soft and dewy looking, not red and irritated. While skin can get red and irritated from AHA, as long as it is done properly, irritation will be short-lived, so it makes for an excellent anti-aging product.

GLYCOLIC ACID IS ACNE’S DOWNFALL

As a side benefit, AHA banishes blackheads like nobody’s business. Those oil and sebum pockets just wither in the face of an AHA treatment. While a product like Avon’s Clinical ANEW is geared towards anti-aging measures, a side benefit of AHA use is how quickly stubborn nose blackheads purge from the skin.

WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM AHA?

Delicate and aging skin that benefits from not being pulled and scrubbed by abrasive exfoliants or dermabrasion treatments.
Acne prone skin and skin with stubborn blackheads.
Those who are on Vitamin C Serum and Retinol programs. These products cause newer, younger skin cells to be generated rapidly and require sloughing off the dead skin to be most effective.
Many with eczema report that they can use Glycolic Acid. Talk to your dermatologist about precautions based on your personal skincare profile.

HOW TO USE GLYCOLIC ACID AT HOME

Super effective as an in-office treatment, AHA peels it can be safely done at home with serums under 30%. A 35% AHA is acceptable to use if it contains a deactivating or buffering agent, or it is diluted before application.

New to AHA? Stick with 10% and work your way up to higher concentrations. AHA concentration levels greater than 35% are readily available online, but only professionals should only use these strengths undiluted. Since such excellent results are obtainable with the regular use of lower concentration AHA, don’t be tempted into one “big” peel at a high concentration, it is more risk than benefit.

BEST USE TIPS:

ALWAYS use sunscreen in the days after an AHA peel.
Moisturize well, especially that evening before going to bed.
Do an at-home peel serum at least monthly.
Use only gentle facial cleansers for 24 hours after using AHA.
Some light stinging is to be expected, but if your skin feels a burning sensation or hurts, wash the AHA off immediately.
Apply evenly in a thin coat.

RECOMMENDED AHA GLYCOLIC PRODUCTS

Finding a reputable manufacturer is the primary concern when selecting Glycolic Acids. Choose an AHA designed for consumers, not professionals such as those marketed to a salon. Some Glycolic Acid products we have had success with include:

Serum Ceuticals AHA Pro Grade Glycolic: effective, all natural. We like this line because AHA doesn’t alter newer skin unless it irritates it with chemical additives, and this product has NO chemicals, just natural preservatives.
- One of our fave go-to peels, it can be safely used on even delicate skin areas such as on fine lines around the upper lip.
- Serum Ceuticals AHA comes in 10% and 35% concentrations.
- If you use the 35% AHA, we highly recommend mixing the AHA liquid into a dollop of Beta Glucan cream and applying the mixture to the skin, then applying a layer of Beta Glucan afterward as a moisturizer to soothe the skin and reduce redness and irritation.
InstaNatural Glycolic Facial Peel: skin is instantly brighter when dead skin is swept away in less than a minute, no downtime.
- Paired with Sunflower Oil, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid
- While it does sting delicate areas, once you build a tolerance to the product, it can be used for 10-15 minutes for a highly effective peel. I especially like the acne eliminating properties of this peel.
Avon ANEW Clinical Retexturizing Peel: a whopping 35% AHA soaked pad that comes with a built-in deactivator and soothing Aloe Vera, so it is safe to use at home.
- It stings a bit on sensitive areas at first, like a rubbing alcohol on a paper cut kind of sensation.
- Particular effective on forehead wrinkles and “eleven lines.”
- Use every other day for better texture and brighter skin.
- ANEW Clinical is especially effective at reducing enlarged pores and eliminating blackheads
- TIP: Try using the pads on tell-tale aged skin areas like hands and throat as well

Know of a Glycolic Peel AHA that should be included in this list? Contact us or comment below!

Skincare: Mediderm A+ Dark Spot Corrector & Skin Whitening Fade Cream

September 19, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Despite the religious use of high-factored, Full Spectrum SPF year round, I was recently a bit shocked to see a smattering of sun spots along my collarbone in addition to the ones on the top of my cheekbones. This was not due to a summer of frolicking on the beach for me – these spots are a result of walking into the office from the parking lot, heading out to the mailbox type exposure, all while wearing SPF. While Hydroquinone is effective, it is dangerous, and it can go too far in the other direction and cause hypopigmentation. So, I was thrilled to find Mediderm A+ Dark Spot Corrector & Skin Whitening Fade Cream for my sun spots.

Mediderm A+ Dark Spot Corrector & Skin Whitening Fade Cream

One of the things I like about Mediderm A+ Dark Spot Corrector & Skin Whitening Fade Cream is that it will only lighten your skin as far as your basic skin tone, and no further. It gets rid of the discoloration and leaves healthy, even-toned skin underneath. Best of all, it does it with natural, safe ingredients.

And what a list of ingredients it is. I knew Mediderm to be a fantastic skincare line, but I was thrilled when I saw just how many great ingredients were packed into this potent cream. They are an excellent balance of ingredients that sack sun spots and other ingredients that calm and soothe the skin, so there is no irritation. Some notable ingredients are Glycolic Acid, Squalane, Lactic Acid, Vitamin C, and Licorice Extract to get rid of discoloration, Tamanu Oil, Ubiquinone, and Alpha Lipoic Acid to regenerate the skin, and green tea, Jojoba Oil, Yarrow Leaf Extract, Vitamin E, and Botanical Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and soothe the skin. There are several more natural and effective ingredients on the list, but these were the ones that truly excited me. Typically it involves several creams to get that kind of combination!

The cream, while thick, absorbs well and can easily be worn under SPF and makeup. It gives skin a dewy glow without being greasy and keeps my makeup from dry in the cold air conditioning of my office. So it is easy to use it twice a day as recommended. After cleansing and exfoliating at night, it soothes my skin and gets to work on the sun spots, but it also is doing an excellent job in tackling those little lines and gives my skin an overall luminous glow. Even if you don’t have sun damage, it is hard to find a cream with so many incredible ingredients packed into one jar.

I am thrilled to have found Mediderm A+ Dark Spot Corrector & Skin Whitening Fade Cream. My spots are fading, and my skin looks great!

Find it at Amazon.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7LqNJdMmXo[/embedyt]

I received this product at a discount for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

Skincare: InstaNatural Glycolic Facial Peel

August 18, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Glycolic Acid makes for one of my favorite peels; it whisks away dead, rough skin to reveal soft, even, younger skin. It exfoliates gently and efficiently. InstaNatural makes a non-stinging Glycolic Facial Peel that works in one minute or less.

InstaNaturals Glycolic Facial Peel

WHY USE GLYCOLIC PEELS
Even though they are a strong acid, Glycolic Peels are much gentler to the skin because it melts the “glue” that binds together older, dead skin with healthy skin, without harming the healthy skin or the fresh skin that is revealed underneath the older skin. This is much more gentle on skin, especially older skin because it does not scrub or pull on the skin the way scrubs and exfoliators tend to do. Because of this, Glycolic Acid Peels are particularly useful for skin that has begun to lose collagen. If you use Retinol Serums and Vitamin C serums, this is an excellent way to remove dead skin and accelerate dead cell turnover. Glycolic Acid addresses many skin concerns at once: adult acne, blackheads, wrinkles, age spots, uneven skin tone, flaky skin, and enlarged pores. It is not too drying for wrinkled skin, and it is not irritating to acne.

UNIQUE FEATURES
This works in under a minute and is paired with Hyaluronic Acid, Sunflower Oil, and Vitamin C to immediately nourish and treat the newly revealed skin.

APPLICATION
The peel is a clear, slightly heavier than a watery consistency, not as thick as a gel. It applies easily with the fingers, but because it is not a gooey gel, it swabs on evenly with a cotton pad, just like a toner. There is not a strong scent to it; it is neutral in the aroma. It quickly absorbs and does not feel sticky to the touch. I applied the peel to my face, neck, hands and decolletage. It did not burn, but towards the end of the minute I felt it on my skin, it felt warm, but my skin was not red, inflamed or uncomfortable.

When I read the instructions to apply it for one minute or less, I expected it to either not do very much or to burn quickly. Neither was the case. But make sure to read the directions, this is not the kind of Glycolic Peel that you leave on for 10-15 minutes. I tried using it for more than a minute or two a couple of times, but it is indeed too potent for leaving on the skin for longer than the directions indicate, so I stick with just using it for a minute, maybe two on less sensitive areas. However, it also does not leave skin raw or irritated; I could apply sunscreen and makeup afterward and go out in public without my skin looking like it had a sunburn, as can happen with some types of peels.

The peel washes off quickly and easily, and my skin was not irritated, which is a perk for using a Glycolic.

RESULTS
My skin was very soft and even, although I did not have visible amounts dead skin sloughing off except for some on my jawline. The next time I washed my face later that evening, there was more light exfoliation of dead skin. My skin looked very dewy and fresh. I have a new blemish that became drier and subsided after using the peel, and I have been using it to fade a few darker spots and a small acne scar. The blackheads on my nose diminished after one use. My hands felt soft, and my ragged cuticles and hangnails exfoliated off quickly. It did not irritate the delicate skin areas but left them soft. This seems gentle enough to use more than once a week, even if you use serums such as Vitamin C or Retinol.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find InstaNatural Glycolic Facial PeelÂ at Amazon.

I received this product for free. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

10% Glycolic AHA-Alpha Hydroxy Acid Serum for Chemical Peel-Pro Grade

May 22, 2016 · Leave a Comment

10% Glycolic (AHA-Alpha Hydroxy) Acid Serum for Chemical Peel-Pro Grade

This Serum is a 10% Pro-Grade AHA Glycolic Acid. I started using Glycolic Acid in my late twenties because I preferred to use peels to remove my dead skin instead of exfoliating it, my skin was just a smooth and more even in tone and texture without having to irritate it with grains and scrubbing. I read skin over 30 and sensitive skin respond better to peels than scrubs, and I found this to be true.

I especially like Glycolic Acid because skin doesn’t visibly peel and slough, which can sometimes be uneven and leave behind the partially peeled skin. Rather, with Glycolic Acid, dead skin just seems to melt away, and skin glows. It also helps with acne and blackheads. The reason is that Glycolic loosens the “cement” that binds dry and dead skin, so it just loosens and virtually melts dead skin, but it doesn’t alter fresher skin unless it irritates it with chemical additives.

As much as I love Glycolic Acid, it can sting and make skin red, and the chemical additives in many Glycolic Acids can irritate skin enough that it needs to be washed off fairly quickly. Ideally, if one can leave it on the skin for 10-30 minutes, it makes a huge difference on how much peeling can occur.

I like that the Serum Ceuticals AHA Glycolic has both soothing and treating ingredients in the serum. These help the skin tolerate the Glycolic remaining on the skin for longer periods of time because this can give the best short term smoothness and long term collagen regenerating result. It also does not contain any harsh chemical additives that irritate my skin, so I was able to leave the serum on my skin for a full 30 minutes, which is about 15 minutes longer than I have tolerated any other Glycolic. Like all their products, Serum Ceuticals uses a natural charge to preserve their products, which means it is more powerful with a longer shelf life than other organic/natural AHA’s and causes less irritation than AHA’s filled with chemical preservatives.

APPLICATION
Test a small dab of the serum on your earlobe 48-72 hours before use to see if you get any irritation. I did this step even though I have used AHA’s before.

There is no detectable scent, it is a watery consistency and comes in a bottle with an inverted dropper than only dispenses a drop at a time.

If you have not used AHA’s before, you might want only to leave the serum on about 10 minutes the first time. If you have used AHA’s, check the mirror frequently for redness but try for the full 30 minutes if you can tolerate it. I have sensitive skin and use Retinol but still was able to tolerate it for the full 30 minutes.

First, I slathered the serum on my forehead since that skin is less sensitive. Then I lightly applied it all over my face except the eye area, paying extra attention to some dark brown spots and wrinkles, the nasal folds, and the areas that my pores seem larger on both sides of the nose in the area of my cheek below my undereye bags. I also have some dark brown sunspots on the top of my cheekbones that I made sure had a good layer of the serum.

I didn’t feel any stinging or irritation, but at almost 30 minutes the apples of my cheeks had some redness, but it was not uncomfortable. I washed it off and applied a light moisturizer. If you have the Serum Ceuticals Ceramide, this is a great post-peel product to use to reduce any redness quickly. The redness lasted a few hours, but it was not painful and returned to normal. I did feel some skin exfoliate off my jawline, but mostly it was just smoother and even, especially my forehead. Two whiteheads that were just stuck in my skin and would not come out despite topical medicines expelled while washing the serum off my face and some clogging of blackheads around my nose and cheek disappeared. A pimple that was a just red bump for an extended period shrunk in size. My forehead wrinkle appeared shallow. My skin was very soft. I took two days off and did it again for the full thirty minutes.

I also used this on my hands for the full 30 minutes. My hands show more aging than my face does due to not applying sunscreen on my hands all these years. One treatment on my hands lightened some of the darker skin on my knuckles and cleaned up my chronically dry and uneven cuticles. The lines on my hands do not appear as deep. There was no irritation or redness.

Highly recommended for use 1-2 times a week, does not cause irritation even on my sensitive skin and I could see improvement after the first use. Will continue with the full recommended course and I will be purchasing this AHA again.

I received this item for testing and unbiased review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!