Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum Review

As a budget-friendly option, we were pretty impressed with Mad Hippie’s Vitamin C Serum after seeing dark spots lighten up in just three weeks.

We purchased Mad Hippie’s Vitamin C Serum so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

If you struggle with stubborn post-acne hyperpigmentation, chances are you’re on the hunt for a vitamin C serum that can brighten and even out your skin. We, too, have our fair share of dark spots and have been seeing Mad Hippie’s Vitamin C Serum all over the Internet for a while. TBH, we weren’t sure a budget, natural serum would be enough to make a difference.

But, because we’re skincare-obsessed and need to try everything at least once, we put the serum to a true Byrdie beauty test—taking into account how it applied on our skin, what it smelled like, and how fast it took us to see results. We also considered the price, the ingredients, and whether or not the dermatologists we trust gave it their stamp of approval. Keep reading for our honest review and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D.’s advice on how to get the most out of it.

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Best for: All skin types

Uses: Anti-aging, dullness, dark spots

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, konjac root, chamomile extract, clary sage

Potential allergens: Grapefruit

Cruelty-free?: Yes

Price: $30

About the Brand: Mad Hippie is a natural skincare brand that creates products without parabens, synthetic fragrance, dyes, petrochemicals, PEGs, SLS, or other additives.

About the Ingredients: More than just vitamin C

While this product is a vitamin C serum, it’s packed with many more key players than that. But before we get to those, though, let’s talk about that vitamin C. This serum in particular uses sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a stable form of vitamin C. This means it’s less prone to oxidation or irritating the skin. As Garshick explains, vitamin C, on a basic level, is an antioxidant that works to can help brighten the skin, improve hyperpigmentation, and boost collagen production, in addition to protecting the skin against free radical damage. “This ingredient can reduce discoloration, as it inhibits the enzyme that controls the production of melanin in the skin, reducing hyperpigmentation,” she explains.

The other major ingredients in this specific formula include vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, konjac root, chamomile extract, and clary sage. Vitamin E reduces the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration—plus, when combined with vitamin C, it helps the ferulic acid to have an antioxidant effect. From there, hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the skin, nutrient-rich konjac root protects and softens, chamomile extract calms and clary sage acts as a natural toner to balance the skin out.

TL;DR: That’s a lot of benefits.

Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

About the Formula: Great for sensitive skin

According to Garshick, who poured over the ingredient list in this formulation, it’s ideal for those with dry or sensitive skin. “This formula uses sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which is less irritating than other vitamin C options, and also contains hyaluronic acid to help boost hydration,” she explains. “It’s gentle on the skin.”

Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

How to Apply: Tacky but easy to use

The serum is a light gel which makes it easy to apply. It can feel slightly tacky (even with a small amount), so be careful of overapplying. We can assure you that the tacky feeling lasts for less than an hour after applying, which is good news, considering Garshick recommends applying it during the daytime, after cleanser but before moisturizer, SPF, and makeup.

Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

The Results: Slow but steady

We tested out the serum day and night for three weeks. Just like with similar products, we found ourselves wondering when we’d start to see results. But, sure enough, towards the end of the three-week mark, we noticed that our dark spots appear lighter and our skin tone seemed more even.

Best of all, we never experienced breakouts or irritation while using the serum. Those new to vitamin C may feel tingly on the first few applications (we did the first time), but our skin grew accustomed to the vitamin C and other active ingredients over time.

Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

The Value: It’s definitely worth it

On the basis of price, the Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is a steal, especially when you consider its laundry list of high-quality ingredients. Other vitamin C serums can go for around the same price, but those often lack anything other than vitamin C itself. And still, others are often much, much more expensive. Plus, a little goes a long way. We use this serum almost every day and suspect one bottle will last for about two months. As for the efficacy, Garshick explains that the blend of ingredients makes it a great option for all skin types (including those with sensitive skin) and gives it her stamp of approval for helping to address signs of skin aging, discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

Similar Products: Comparable products are more expensive

Sunday Riley C.E.O Vitamin C Brightening Serum ($85): This vitamin C serum is a splurge compared to Glow Recipe’s, but it’s made with 15 percent vitamin C and targets dark spots and signs of aging. 

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum with Salicylic Acid ($47): For a vitamin C serum that does more than brighten and target dark spots, La Roche Posay’s Pure Vitamin C Face Serum is a great option. It’s formulated with salicylic acid, which helps promote clear skin, and hyaluronic acid, which helps with hydration.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($182): This cult-favorite SkinCeuticals serum also packs in vitamin E and ferulic acid—but it comes with a $182 price tag. It also has a ton of research behind it, as well as clear ingredient percentages, so you can be confident that you’ll get results. If you can swing it in your budget, this is an excellent alternative.

Final Verdict

Because of its affordable price tag and multifunctional use, Mad Hippie’s Vitamin C Serum is definitely worth a try. I was impressed that I saw results after just a few weeks, and the long list of active ingredients means that it’s working hard to improve the appearance of my skin, from dark spots and fine lines to that even-toned glow.