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a dupe for Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Is InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum a dupe for Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum? Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is my fave Vitamin C serum for acne-prone skin. Why? It has Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP), a Vitamin C derivative that tackles both wrinkles and acne. Or I did… until InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum started giving it a run for its money. Like Mad Hippie, it opted for SAP – but the price is even cheaper! Does that make InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum a dupe for Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum? And should you make the switch? Let’s find out:

What Do Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum And InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum Have In Common?

SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE TO FIGHT WRINKLES

Did you know Vitamin C comes in many forms? L-Ascorbic Acid (LAA) is the pure form. Studies show it can:

The catch? There are a couple:

  • Irritation: LAA needs a low pH to work. Low pHs irritate sensitive skin, make it sting and turn it red.
  • Spoils quickly: LAA usually goes bad within 3 months! You know when this happens – the serum turns brown.

How can you get all the benefits of LAA sans the side effects? Enter Vitamin C derivatives, like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (the form used in Mad Hippie and InstaNatural Vitamin C Serums). SAP converts to L-Ascorbic Acid in the skin. It’s still a little less effective than pure LAA, but way gentler and lasts for months. Phew!

If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you have another reason to switch to SAP: it helps treat acne. Studies show SAP reduces sebum oxidation (a main cause of acne and inflammation) by up to 40%! It’s also more effective than 5% benzoyl peroxide and 0.1% differin.

Related: Is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate The Best Vitamin C Derivative?

VITAMIN E + FERULIC ACID TO BOOST VITAMIN C AGAINST WRINKLES

I’m sure you’ve heard that Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid boost the effectiveness of Vitamin C. Good news: both Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum and InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum have their fair share of Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. Together, Vitamins C + E + Ferulic acid make one other more effective and increase the sun protection your sunscreen gives you. That’s why I recommend you use your Vitamin C in the morning.

P.S. Ferulic acid is an antioxidant on steroids. It fights THREE types of free radicals! (Most antioxidants only destroy one).

Related: Is Ferulic Acid The Most Powerful Antioxidant Of Them All?

What Else Is In Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum And InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum?

NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.

  • Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
  • Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
  • Red: What is this doing here?!

MAD HIPPIE VITAMIN C SERUM

  • Water Deionized: A solvent that dissolves other ingredients in the formula while hydrating skin. Deionized means the water went through a chemical filtration system to remove ion minerals (like calcium, iron, and copper) that would otherwise spoil the formula.
  • Alkyl Benzoate: A skin-softening emollient.
  • Vegetable Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture from the air into your skin, making it softer and suppler. This particular type is derived from vegetable sources.
  • Water: Normal water. It still acts as a solvent but it retains its mineral ions.
  • Glycerin: The same humectant mentioned above. I imagine this type is derived from synthetic sources.
  • Sodium Levulinate: It helps make skin softer. It also has preservative properties that helps skincare products last longer.
  • Sodium Anisate: A preservative that inhibits the growth of mold and fungi in your skincare products.
  • Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea): It has antioxidant properties, but its fragrant components may irritate sensitive skin.
  • Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis): It makes the product smell like citrus (divine!), but it can irritate sensitive skin.
  • Hyaluronic acid: A humectant that attracts water from the air into your skin. It’s so effective, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water! All that moisture makes skin very soft and supple.
  • Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder: It has hydrating properties for skin.
  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf: It has powerful hydrating and soothing properties that can calm down sensitive skin.
  • Chamomile Flower Extract (Recutita Matricaria): Derived from chamomile, it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that calm down redness and irritation. But if you’re allergic to chamomile or other plants in the daisy family, it can seriously irritate your skin.
  • Sodium Phytate: A chelating agents that neutralises the metal ions in the formula, so they don’t spoil it.
  • Xanthum Gum: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
  • Hydroxyethylcellulose: Derived from cellulose, a sugar found in the cell walls of plants. It helps to thicken the texture of skincare products.

INSTANATURAL VITAMIN C SERUM

  • Water (Aqua): The main solvent, it helps other ingredients dissolve as well.
  • Glycerin: A common humectant that attracts water from the air into your skin, increasing its moisture levels, so it stays softer and suppler for longer.
  • Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil: It makes the serum smell divine and is said to have brightening properties. Unfortunately, its fragrant components are highly irritations and can cause problems in sensitive skin. It shouldn’t be used in such high doses.
  • Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract: It has astringent properties, but can dry out and irritate sensitive skin.
  • Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide: This extract has hydrating and antioxidant properties.
  • Sodium Hyaluronate: A form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and binds to your skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. It’s super hydrating and plumps up skin, so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller.
  • Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract: A plant extract derived from the stem cell culture of heart-leaved globe daisy. According to the manufacturer, it helps to reduce redness and inflammation. I’m giving it a yellow rating cos I’m waiting for independent proof to confirm this as well.
  • Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract: Derived from licorice, it has soothing properties that reduce redness and irritation.
  • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract: A.k.a. green tea, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, reduces UV-induced inflammation, and enhances the effectiveness of your sunscreen.
  • Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract: It has powerful antioxidant and soothing properties that slow down premature aging.
  • Fucus Vesiculosus Extract: An edible algae loaded with antioxidants that can prevent wrinkles and neutralises some of the damage pollution daily inflicts onto your skin.
  • Punica Granatum Extract: A source of antioxidants, which fight the free radicals that cause premature wrinkles.
  • Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil: A luxurious, rich oil with deeply moisturising properties. It strengths the skin’s protective barrier and makes skin softer and smoother.
  • Laminaria Saccharina Extract: A type of algae with significant antioxidant benefits.
  • Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract: A type of green tea with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Rosa Canina Fruitt Oil: Non-fragrant plant oil loaded with fatty acids to strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier and deeply moisturise skin.
  • Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil: Extracted from the pulp of the sea buckthorn berry, it sinks quickly into the skin. It has powerful antioxidant properties that fight wrinkles.
  • Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil: An emollient oil with a long shelf-life, it deeply strengthens and moisturises skin.
  • Glucosyl Hesperidin: A form of the flavonoid hesperidin. It has antioxidant and soothing properties.
  • Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract: A powerful source of antioxidants for your skin.
  • Centella Asiatica Extract: One of the most soothing ingredients available, it reduces redness and inflammation better than most other similar actives.
  • Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract: It has antioxidant properties, but its fragrant components may irritate sensitive skin.
  • Carbomer: It enhances the texture of skincare products.
  • Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil: It has emollient properties that makes skin softer and smoother. But depending on how it’s made, it can retain fragrant components that sensitive and irritate skin.
  • Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil: A non-fragrant plant oil that makes skin softer and smoother for longer.
  • Equisetum Arvense Extract: A.k.a. horsetail extract, it’s said to have antioxidant properties. But there’s no proof it works when applied to skin yet.
  • Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Leaf Extract: Derived from dandelion, it’s said to have detoxifying properties. But skincare ingredients can’t detoxify skin. It gains a red rating, not because it’s dangerous, but because it’s useless.
  • Geranium Maculatum Extract: It has powerful antioxidant properties, but it can also irritate sensitive skin.
  • Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: A non-fragrant plant oil that strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and makes skin softer and smoother.
  • Xanthan Gum: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
  • Sodium Hydroxide: It helps balance the pH of skincare products.
  • Propanediol: A solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients.
  • Phenethyl Alcohol: It’s used to mask the scent of unpleasant-smelling skincare ingredients.
  • Pentylene Glycol: Another solvent that dissolves other ingredients in the formula.

WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum has fewer antioxidants. But it’s more hydrating and has fewer irritants. It’s my fave.

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum has more antioxidants and soothing ingredients. That should make it my fave. Unfortunately, the high concentration of citrus oils is likely to irritate skin, especially if it’s sensitive skin.

What’s The Texture Like?

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum has a lightweight to the point of runny texture that sinks in quickly and dries to a matte finish.

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum has a slightly thicker texture than Mad Hippie, but it still sinks in pretty quickly.

What’s The Packaging Like?

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum comes in a UV-tinted bottle with a drop applicator for ease of use.

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum comes in a UV-tinted bottle too, but it has a pump applicator.

How To Use Them

Vitamin C can boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen (and no, it doesn’t make your skin more prone to sun damage). For this reason, I recommend you use them in the morning, right after cleansing and before sunscreen.

Which Of The Two Should You Go For?

Go for Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum if:

  • You have oily and dehydrated skin that needs the extra moisture
  • You have sensitive skin (Mad Hippie has fewer ingredients, so fewer chances of irritations)

Go for InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum if:

  • You’re on a strict budget and you have resistant skin that can tolerate high concentrations of citrus oils.

Related: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum Full Review

Availability

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum ($33.99/£28.00): Available at Free People, iHerb, and Ulta

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum ($24.00/£26): Available at Amazon

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Is InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum A Dupe For Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum?

MAD HIPPIE INSTANATURAL
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid.
OTHER INGREDIENTS Hydrators (Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin). Natural oils and antioxidants.
TEXTURE Lightweight and fast absorbing. Slightly thicker, but still lightweight and fast-absorbing.
PACKAGING Dropper applicator. Pump applicator.
PERFORMANCE Fights wrinkles and brightens skin. Lightly hydrating. Fights wrinkles and brightens skin. Lightly hydrating.
IRRITATING POTENTIAL Low. High.

I wouldn’t say InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum is an exact dupe for Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum. But it’s a good alternative for acne-prone ladies (and gentlemen) on a budget.

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum Ingredients:

Water Deionized, Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), Alkyl Benzoate, Vegetable Glycerin, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea), Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis), Hyaluronic acid, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Vitamin E (Tocotrienol), Ferulic acid, Chamomile Flower Extract (Recutita Matricaria), Sodium Phytate, Xanthum Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose 

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Glycerin*, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide*, Sodium Hyaluronate*, Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruitt Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Ferulic Acid, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Glucosyl Hesperidin*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Carbomer, Tocopherol*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Leaf Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum*, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol*, Phenethyl Alcohol*, Pentylene Glycol*.

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.