Mad Hip(pie) Skincare You Need In Your Skincare Routine

 

 

 

 

Welcome back to my blog!

I’m keeping the skincare product reviews coming! This time I’ve teamed up with Mad Hippie who so graciously sent me over two of their products for me to try. I have seen this brand on select shelves for a very long time and thought this is would be the perfect opportunity!

They gifted me two products as you see in the photos provided, in exchange for this review, so let’s dive right in.

MAD HIPPIE VITAMIN A SERUM

W/ HPR & Sodium Hyaluronate

 

 

Believe me when I say there’s no other serum like this one. This vegan and cruelty free product that is Mad Hippie’s Vitamin A serum, works to exfoliate the skin, improving the appearance of sun damaged, aging skin. This serum is “feared by wrinkles and sun damage alike”. Nine actives with HPR and sodium hyaluronate. Hydroxypinacolone retionate (HPR) is a revolutionary, bioavailable form of vitamin A that works to improve the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Sodium hyaluronate works to plump up and moisturize while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. This serum is used at night and you must make sure you rub it all in to fully penetrate the skin.

Fun fact: once you apply this serum, you’re actually supposed to leave it on for a few minutes before continuing the rest of your skin care. By doing this, you actually give your skin time to soak it in, receiving maximum benefits.

Precaution: might cause increased sensitivity to the skin. Wear protective clothing and/or sunscreen when using this product

 

 

Now to break down this product.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is also known as retinol. All retinoids are derived from vitamin A, and is a type of retinoid. Vitamin A boosts collagen and reduces pigmentation, and helps to fight off wrinkles.

Vitamin A

“…vitamin A levels is the root cause of unhealthy looking skin.”

• normalizes how cells function; influences cells to behave in a younger, healthier way, giving the youthful and more radiant glow
• improves problematic skin conditions such as acne, by normalizing oil production, leaving skin less oily and more balanced
• normalize appearance of pigmentation
• assists in promotion of healthy collagen and elastin
• helps speed up healing, prevent breakouts and support skin’s immune system
• promotes natural moisturizing – which means it helps to hydrate the skin effectively

source: environskincare

This product as the label says has HPR which is a new form of Vitamin A. Read more information about HPR below in the ingredient highlight.

INGREDIENT HIGHLIGHTS:

HPR: Revolutionary new form of vitamin A that is bioavailable in its current state without the need of any inefficient metabolic steps (retinol requires 2). Works to dramatically reduce the appearance of wrinkles & discoloration, revealing beautiful, youthful skin. 

Phytoceramide: Aids in moisture retention, leading to more plumped up, hydrated skin.

Sodium Hyaluronate: The salt of hyaluronic acid (HA), sodium hyaluronate, has been shown to have better skin penetrating capabilities than HA alone. Works to moisturize the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Oat Beta Glucan:  Naturally hydrates and soothes the skin. Oat beta glucan has been shown reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Aloe Vera – Works to nourish the skin while forming a thin protective layer.

For full ingredient list head over to the Mad Hippie site, click here.

My Thoughts and More:

Upon my first few uses, I wasn’t aware of the idea that you are expected to leave the serum to work its magic for a few minutes. This honestly made a huge difference. I didn’t find a difference at first, but after letting it soak in for a few minutes, you can really feel the difference in texture it gives your skin immediately. Serums work to penetrate deeper into the layers of your skin, so by leaving it for even a minute (my skin soaks products pretty fast) I felt it penetrate through the layers of my skin.

As I always note, you need to give your skin at least 2-3 weeks before you notice any difference or effect it takes on your skin. Any allergic reactions or sensitivity will become almost immediate. Always test patch first!

I have been using this for over a month now, and it is my first retinol product. Because it is my first retinol product, there is a lot to know about retinol. As The Zoe Report notes in their article “15 Retinol Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know” , there is almost a learning curve for your skin during the first few weeks of use which typically presents as dry skin, redness, peeling and overall inflammation.

For the full lengthy but informative article, click here. I will summarize the article below for you about retinol and include my thoughts:

• Fights wrinkles: alters behaviour of aged epidermal and dermal cells to act more in a youthful manner while preserving and enhancing skin’s blood vessel network
• Don’t wait to until you have wrinkles to use it (this goes for 20-something year olds! incorporate anti-aging skincare products NOW)
• If you need help to treat severe cases of acne, always talk to a dermatologist for expert opinions on your skin. They can help you break everything down.
• OTC retinol can cause irritation! It is not uncommon to feel tingly effects when applying products with retinol
• Look for formulas with soothing ingredients to mitigate risk of irritation (they’re usually mixed with antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E; oaatmeal, peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid
• Should always be paired with Sunscreen & Antioxidants. Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to pollution! So may be best to use it less during the winter
• Retinol boosts natural production of collagen, thus leading to fewer fine lines, wrinkles and plumper skin
• You may want to wait 30 minutes after washing your face to apply retinol. “Water mixed with retinoids can exacerbate the side effects.”
• Use them at night for best results
• Don’t mix with AHAs, BHAs, or Benzoyl Peroxide
• Don’t need to use every night

Always start small and work your way up. I definitely had to. With my experience using hyaluronic acid, I worked my way up. With the frequent use of hyaluronic acid, I believe it dried out my nose causing more frequent nosebleeds. This usage along with the constant change in weather, makes me more aware now. After a long period of time using this serum (on and off of course) I noticed that my skin looks healthier. It is more hydrated and pigmentation of acne scars have decreased. I have been using anti-aging skincare products for about a year now because I’m reaching my late 20s and I’m not about to go into my 30s with wrinkles! But if there’s a time to say it, now is: BLESS MY ASIAN GENES! On another note, I have terrible phases of using sunscreen, so I should probably remember to use it often at least when I am using this serum! Even during the winter on cloudy days you are still exposed to UVA/UVB rays!

MAD HIPPIE TRIPLE C NIGHT CREAM

w/ Reishi, Turmeric & Cloudberry

 

 

This deeply hydrating night time treatment is packed with 3 forms of vitamin C (hence triple C), potent antioxidants and adaptogens. With 19 cutting-edge actives, this syergistic formula brings brighter, heathier, smoother looking skin in just one jar.

Did you know? Vitamin C builds up a reservoir in the skin offering protection from oxidative stress cause by sun exposure for up to 72 hours.

Source: Mad Hippie

Another good thing about this product? IT HAS LOW WASTE PACKAGING. The product is fully stabilized and oxidation is not a certain, and comes with a bamboo spoon that’s naturally antibacterial.

Let’s break this down, shall we…

INGREDIENT HIGHLIGHTS

Triple C – 3 bioavailable forms of vitamin C, each with distinct biological processes, join forces to rejuvenate and protect the skin from exposure to daily stressors.  

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate & Ascorbyl Glucoside, all incredibly bioavailable & effective forms of vitamin C, work to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of discoloration, while lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  

Reishi – Known as the “mushroom of immortality” in Chinese medicine, reishi is a powerful adaptogen that is packed with antioxidants and hydrating elements.

Sodium PCA – A naturally occurring humectant, Sodium PCA helps bind moisture to the skin, dramatically improving skin hydration.

Cloudberry – A revered Nordic berry notorious for its ability to grow in the harshest of conditions, Cloudberry is packed with rejuvenating antioxidants such as vitamin C & beta carotene that help even the complexion and brighten!

Turmeric extract – A powerhouse antioxidant great for acne-prone skin, turmeric extract helps lighten the appearance of skin discoloration and provide antioxidant protection.  Turmeric extract gives the benefits of the revered ancient herb, without the yellow staining effect of standard turmeric. 

Chaga – A natural adaptogen packed with powerful antioxidants including superoxide dismutase and zinc. Works to rejuvenate and protect the skin from daily stressors and exposure to pollutants.

Shea Butter – Used in Africa for centuries for its moisturizing & soothing properties, shea butter is a rich source of the powerful antioxidants vitamin A & E, crucial fatty acids and cinnamic acid.

Ceramide – Forms a thin lipid barrier that holds in moisture, while protecting & nourishing the skin. 

For full ingredient list, check the site. Click here.

Some FAQs listed on their website that I thought might be useful here to note as well:

Is this too much for oily or acne-prone skin?  For oily skin or acne-prone skin, the Vitamin C Serum is a better option for getting your daily Vitamin C.

Do you worry about oxidation?  The forms of vitamin C we use are much more stable than traditional ascorbic acid.  Our products all contain clean, safe preservatives to ensure stability.

Can product be worn during the day?  Sure!  The Triple C Night Cream is great day or night – really whenever extra hydration is needed!

Could this replace my morning Vit C Serum? Or not the same Vit C concentrate?  Great question! The Vitamin C Serum contains a distinct form of Vitamin C that is wonderful for acne-prone skin as well as for reducing the appearance of discoloration! The new Triple C Night Cream is a deeply hydrating cream with 3 different forms of Vitamin C and is best suited to drier skin types that need extra hydration. The Vitamin C Serum can be used in the morning and the Triple C Night Cream can be used at night or the Triple C Night Cream can layered over the Vitamin C Serum if desired.

Is your shea butter free trade?  Yes!

Is shea butter comedogenic?  While shea butter is ultra hydrating, it is not traditionally considered to be comedogenic and gets a 0 on most comedogenic scales. 

 

 

MY THOUGHTS

I love using this night cream. As you can see in the other photo I provided, it is a thick moisturizer. It almost spreads white because it is so thick, so a little goes a long way! I love that this is packed with all sorts of vitamin c and ingredients that protect my skin so I don’t have to worry about any external factors. Because I have acne-prone skin, yes even in my late 20s, Vitamin C is perfect for my skin. This product provides the ultimate night time hydration my skin needs, and helps to battle the acne. With the turmeric and cloudberry, it will work to brighten and even my skin complexion.

Thank you Mad Hippie for creating such amazing products. Mad Hippie has thought of it all and we don’t even realize. They’ve thought about products possibly oxidizing, they’ve thought of what ingredients are best used together in combination, what each individual ingredient is beneficial for, and so forth.

And thank you Mad Hippie for #gifting these products to me to test! This brand has been one I have been wanting to try since the beginning of me wanting to really take control of my skin, to give the best I can possibly give. So thank you for creating such amazing, well-thought of products. Props to the Mad Hippie production team as well! Keep doing what you’re doing, and keep creating products that are game changers in the skincare routine! After trying these two products, I am sure to do more research and in the near future will be testing more of their products out.

Comment below if you enjoyed this review! Tell me what stood out to you. Tell me also what part of the world you’re reading this from.

To purchase their products and learn more, head over to their website, Mad Hippie.

With love,

Pris Wong xo

IG: @priswongg
FB: Life with Pris Wong