Mad Hippie Vitamin C vs. Maelove Glow Maker vs. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: Which is Best for You?

• The Difference & Reviews

| Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.5/5

Walmart: $27.19/30ml (up to 4% cashback)

iHerb: $27.19 (up to 5% cashback)

Vitacost: $29.99 (up to 2% cashback)

What is it?

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is an uplifting antioxidant blend with 8 actives that have been formulated to brighten tighten and smooth the skin while reducing the effects of photoaging. 

Key ingredients: 

- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate): a stable form of vitamin C, which means it's less prone to oxidation and is more tolerated by all skin types, including those prone to sensitivity. This less irritating form of vitamin C (because it's also not low in pH) is designed for those who have difficulty using higher-purity vitamin C serums.

- Vitamin E: protective antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration.

- Ferulic Acid: has been shown in studies to have a compounding antioxidant effect.

- Hyaluronic Acid: applied topically it can help increase the plumped-up look of the skin.

- Konjac Root Powder: rich in nutrients such as copper, zinc, phosphorus, fatty acids, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, potassium, magnesium, iron, niacin, folic acid and vitamins A, E, C, D & B.

- Grapefruit: rich in antioxidants and citric acid, grapefruit acts as a natural exfoliant.

- Chamomile Extract: provides a thin protective shield, while naturally soothing and calming the skin.

- Clary Sage: helps eliminate overly dry or overly oily skin and acts as natural toner and astringent.

Good for: It is suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.

Texture: 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. It absorbs into the skin but you can still tell the product is there, so it does not disappear – it simply forms a hydrating barrier on the skin. However, the greasy aspect of the serum doesn't come through when worn under makeup, which is a definite plus for this face serum!

Fragrance: For the most part, Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is odorless, but if you want to be super specific about it, it does have a very slight "clean" scent.

Review: Because vitamin C serums are so active, many can cause a tingling or burning feeling upon application. However, Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum uses a derivate of vitamin C - Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, which is gentler than pure vitamin C. It's a stable form of vitamin C that's better known for its ability to treat acne. But it still fights wrinkles, brightens the complexion and all those things vitamin C is supposed to do.

One shopper said: "I'm about to finish my third bottle of this serum and I still like it… Im just happy to avoid inflammation. It has helped to smoothen and soften my skins texture. I was hoping for more of a brightening effect, but didn't see much of a difference. I probably need something more powerful to help with dark marks. Though my quest for more even-tone skin continues, this serum is a keeper."

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| Maelove The Glow Maker Antioxidant Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.5/5

Maelove: $29.95/30ml

What is it?

Serums are confusing, which is why Maelove spent years perfecting one complete face serum that gives you hydrated and brightened skin all day long. The key ingredients in The Glow Maker are vitamin C (15% L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E, and ferulic acid, a trio of antioxidants that help brighten the complexion and fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, hydrate, and protect against environmental stressors.

Key ingredients: 

- Vitamins C (15% L-ascorbic acid): lauded for its superior antioxidant benefits, this highly potent form of pure vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals and protect against oxidative stress while providing visible anti-aging benefits.

- Vitamin E: protective antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration.

- Ferulic Acid: has been shown in studies to have a compounding antioxidant effect.

- Hyaluronic Acid for long-lasting hydration.  

- A proprietary botanical blend (Vitis Vinifera, Aloe, Aurantium Dulcis and Magnolia) for extra nourishment and easy makeup application.

Good for: It is suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.

Texture: It's super liquid, absorbs into the skin in seconds, and it provides a noticeable but not-so-over-the-top glow that people with oily skin should avoid. There's no tangible residue, and the skin doesn't feel sticky or tacky post-use.

Fragrance: Very light and smells a bit like an orange, it's very mild in the spectrum of a smelly vitamin C serum.

Review: Maelove The Glow Maker is a pretty solid dupe of C E Ferulic; it contains the same 15% concentration of L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, along with hydrating hyaluronic acid for only a sixth of the price. It's also much gentler. The addition of extracts makes the Maelove The Glow Maker better for sensitive skin than most other vitamin C serums. It applies as a very watery serum, cooling and refreshing the skin as it absorbs almost instantly. 

One shopper said: "I purchased this vitamin C as an alternative to a famous Vitamin C, E and Ferulic acid serum which smells like hotdogs. This vitamin C is a fraction of the price and it has made my skin glow. I use it one to two times per day, after cleansing and toning and before moisturizer. It doesn't make my moisturizer and foundation pill. The glow maker is smooth and feels hydrating but is not so oily that it can't be used under makeup. I have been using this serum for a few weeks now and overall I am very pleased. "

| SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Google Users Rating: 4.7/5

SkinCeuticals: $169 (up to 6% cashback)

SkinStore: $169 (up to 12% cashback)

Dermstore: $169 (up to 8% cashback)

What is it?

A bestseller and expert recommended, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic features advanced antioxidant treatment and skin protector designed to enhance your skin's protection against environmental damage caused by free radicals. In addition to antioxidant protective benefits, this formula improves signs of aging and photodamage to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while firming and brightening your complexion. 

Key ingredients: 

- 15% Pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid): provides visible anti-aging benefits, brightens skin and helps protect against oxidative stress.

- 1% Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol): this pure form of vitamin E neutralizes free radicals and replenishes skin lipids.

- 0.5% Ferulic Acid: a plant-based antioxidant, ferulic acid neutralizes free radicals and enhances the antioxidant benefits and stability of vitamins C and E.

Good for: Dry, normal, and sensitive skin.

Texture: C E Ferulic applies as a very light but slightly sticky serum. It leaves behind a bit of residue as it dries, though it doesn't feel heavy. Once the product is fully absorbed and worn under other products, the stickiness subsides.

Fragrance: There's a reason that beauty editors say this product smells like hot dog water—it really does. Yes, it smells quite funky, but it's not horrible! Once you've applied it, the scent does dissipate after a few minutes.

Review: One of the reasons that the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is so hard to mimic is that SkinCeuticals patented the serum's blend of active ingredients (15 percent L-ascorbic acid, 1 percent vitamin E, and 0.5 percent ferulic acid). This is important because if the formulation isn't properly balanced, not only might it be less effective, but because vitamin C has a pretty short shelf life, it can go "bad" as early as one to two months after opening the bottle. 

One shopper said: "Using this product along with using the Hydrating Gel in the evenings and moisturizer twice a day, the redness has improved as has the texture and dryness. While the redness has not completely gone away, there is a visible improvement which makes me incredibly happy. I also feel confident using it because I brought it to my dermatologist to ask her opinion on it (didn’t bring the other products as I did not have them yet) and she informed me that it is the gold standard and highly recommended it. "

There's no denying that $166 is steep for a skincare product. If you want similar results for less than half the cost, you can also try the two affordable alternatives above.

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