We have a saying in Italy, “The small barrel preserves the best wine”.
The same’s true for moisturizers. Mad Hippie Face Cream is TINY. As you take the bottle out of the box, you’ll be like, “Is this all there is?!”
It’s kinda disappointing… until you slather the cream all over your face. The juice inside is SO good, its performance more than makes up for its small size. Here’s why:
What’s In Mad Hippie Face Cream?
ALOE VERA TO HYDRATE SKIN
Mad Hippie Face Cream contains its fair share of oils – like safflower and coconut – to create a protective barrier on the skin that seals moisture in.
But where does that moisture come from? Aloe Vera. A 2016 study shows that Aloe Vera is a humectant. That’s a fancy way of saying it draws moisture from the air and locks it into your skin.
If you’ve ever suffered from a sunburn, you’ll know how soothing Aloe Vera is. It calms down irritations and reduces redness.
The catch? 99.5% of Aloe Vera is just water. Only the remaining 0.5% contains the “combination of mucopolysaccharides, choline and choline salicylate“ that gives it its superpowers.
You know what that means? You need A LOT of Aloe Vera for it to work. It’s the second ingredient here, so we’re all good.
Related: 9 Ingredients To Soothe Irritated And Sensitive Skin
PEPTIDES TO FIRM SKIN
Peptides have gone mainstream. In the past year, they’ve sneaked their way into every skincare product you can think of. Mad Hippie Face Cream contains 2:
- Matrixyl Synthe ‘6: This peptide boosts the production of 3 types of collagen + hyaluronic acid to keep skin firm and hydrated. So far, the only studies supporting these claims come from the manufacturer, so take them with a pinch of salt.
- Syn-Tacks: Another peptide that boosts 3 types of collagen. According to the manufacturer, it increases the production of type IV collagen by 190%. That’s promising, but I’m still waiting for independent studies to confirm it.
I’m not saying peptides don’t work. But without independent studies, we can’t say how well they work. Until then, I don’t recommend you buy a moisturiser just because it contains peptides.
But if it contains prove to work goodies like niacinamide and antioxidants + peptides? Go for it. That’s the case here. Phew!
Related: The Truth About Peptides In Skincare: Do They Really Work?
NIACINAMIDE, THE MOST VERSATILE SKINCARE INGREDIENT EVER
Mad Hippie Face Cream contains one of my fave ingredients: niacinamide. This form of Vitamin B3 is a do-it-all. I’m not kidding. Studies show that niacinamide:
- Hydrates skin: It’s more effective than petrolatum at preventing water loss
- Soothes skin: It alleviates the symptoms of rosacea and irritations
- Lightens skin: It reduces dark spots, blotchiness (redness) and sallowness (yellowing)
- Helps treat wrinkles: Preliminary research shows it can boost the production of skin-firming collagen
- Treats acne: Its effects are similar to those of 1% clindamycin gel
You name it, niacinamide does it.
Related: The Complete Guide To Niacinamide: What It Is, What It Does & How To Use It
ANTIOXIDANTS TO PREVENT WRINKLES
Mad Hippie Face Cream is loaded with antioxidants. It has resveratrol, green tea, white tea and coenzyme Q10, to name just a few.
Antioxidants work because they destroy free radicals. It goes something like this: UV rays (or pollutants/inflammation/other nasties) damage molecules so they lose one electron.
These little molecules want to be whole again, so they travel trough your skin, looking for a healthy molecule to rob. It’s the start of a chain reaction that damages collagen, elastin and everything else they find in their track.
Antioxidants can stop it. They patrol your skin looking for free radicals. When they spot one, they neutralise it before they can wreak further havoc.
FYI, it’s pretty rare to find resveratrol and white tea in a skincare product, let alone in the same moisturizer. This one is a keeper!
Related: The Most Common Antioxidants Used In Skincare
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
Lightweight, yet it packs a hydrating punch.
Fragrance
Light herbal scent. It’s not artificial. It’s the natural smell of the ingredients. It’s not my cup of tea, but it doesn’t linger around long.
How To Use It
In the AM, in between serum and sunscreen. At night, it’s the last step of your skincare routine.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Mad Hippie Face Cream is one of those rare moisturizers that work for all skin types. Its texture is rich enough to moisturize dry patches, yet lightweight enough to sink in quickly without leaving a greasy residue behind.
My skin has become drier since I’ve moved to London (or maybe I’m just getting older), but now the weather is getting warmer, the sebaceous glands on my t-zone are going into overdrive again.
This moisturizer works well all over. It keeps my skin soft and supple for the entire day, makes the fine lines around my eyes look temporarily smaller, and makes a wonderful base for makeup.
It doesn’t dry matte, but it’s not dewy either. I wouldn’t say it gives me a healthy glow – more like it gives me healthy skin and that has a natural glow of its own. Know what I mean?
The best part? It didn’t make me breakout or irritate my skin.
Who Is This For?
Everyone can use it.
Who Is This NOT For?
If you’re allergic to one of the ingredients, this isn’t for you.
Packaging
A white tube with a pump applicator. It’s small, but cute and practical.
Does Mad Hippie Face Cream Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Packed to the brim with peptides and actives, Mad Happie’s Face Cream is formulated to moisturize and smooth the skin while Mother Nature’s best antioxidants neutralize aging free radicals. | True. |
| This product reduces the appearance of wrinkles, smooth and hydrate the skin. | True. |
Price & Availability
$25.99/£24.00 at Free People, Mad Hippie and Ulta
Do You Need It?
If you’re looking for an anti-aging moisturiser, this is an excellent option to consider.
Dupes & Alternatives
I don’t know of any exact dupes for this product.
Ingredients
Water, Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice), Cetearyl Alcohol, Matrixyl Synthe ‘6 (Peptide: Glycerin – Aqua – Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin – Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38), Safflower Seed Oil (Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil), Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglycerides, Niacinamide, Syntacks (Peptide: Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl – Hydroxythreonine – Palmitoyl Dipeptide-6 Diaminohydroxybutyrate), Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Sorbic Acid, C10-18 Triglycerides, Xanthan Gum, Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa Oil), Potassium Sorbate, Resveratrol, Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera Oil), Citric acid, Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract), Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone), Acai Extract (Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract), Vitamin E (Tocopherol), White Tea Extract (Camellia Sinensis Extract), Pomegranate Seed (Punica Granatum Seed Extract), Vitamin E (Tocotrienol), Steam Distilled Lime Extract (Citrus Aurantifolia Extract)
Hi Gio, may I ask how much HA do we need in order for it to work at its full potential? Is it the same as antioxidant, the more the merrier? As most of the moisturiser does contain HA, do we need a separate HA serum to keep skin hydrated? When do we need HA serum? Thanks Gio!
Claire, your skin will tell you when you need a HA serum. If it feels dry even though you use moisturizer, it’s a good idea to use a separate HA serum. 2% is more than enough to do the job.
Hi Gio, on top of that these are the products I have in my hands. Mad hippie hydrating mist, Skinlex 10% niacinamide serum, Map hippie vit c serum, a HA serum, TO 10% lactic acid, PC Resist Retionol Serum, PC Clinical Ultra Rich Moisturizer, PC Clinical Ceramide Moisturizer. Can I ask for your advice on how to layer them and what product is not necessary/duplicate? Targeting dryness, dullness and early anti aging, thanks again Gio!
Claire,
AM:
Mad Hippie Mist
Mad Hippie Vitamin C
Paula Choice moisturiser (they’re both good, so pick one!)
PM
Alternate between retinol and lactic acid
HA serum
Moisturizer
You said Skinlex tingles so don’t use it.
Hi Gio, it’s me again! Have been checking for your replies everyday, you must be very busy! Anyways I have tons of questions in my head, no kidding. 1) Is niacinamide a humectant? How does it hydrate our skin? 2) I felt tingling sensation using Skinlex 10% Niacinamide serum, is it normal? 3) There’s a myth about we should apply our skincare products when our skin is still damp, so that we can lock the water and moisture in, is it true? For example, don’t fully dry up your face after cleansing and quickly apply your first product when it’s damp. How does it apply? Ok, it sounds a little weird. 4) Can all the antioxidants be used together? AHA, Vit C, Niacinamide, Retinol, Green tea, etc. Will each of the antioxidants still work at its full potential if all were applied in the same routine? 5) What does hydrates actually mean? Products which draw water to our skin or products that prevent water loss, or both? Difference between hydration and moisturizing please? 6) How to know whether a cleanser can remove light make up and sunscreen? For example, does CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Mad Hippie cleanser do? 7) Final question! how do we care for our lips? In terms of overall health, such as to maintain the natural beautiful colour of our lips, because it’s getting paler and paler! Hope to hear from you soon Gio, thank you so much!
Claire, sorry for my late reply. You were spot on. Running a blog is very time-consuming and I prefer to spend most of my time writing blog posts that answer common questions so everyone can find them and benefit from them. Please, always check the blog before asking a question as oftentimes, I’ve written a post about it. 🙂 Now, to answer your questions:
1. It increase the levels of ceramides in the skin. Ceramides are part of your skin’s protective barrier so increasing them means a stronger barrier better able to retain moisture.
2. No, I’d stop using it.
3. You can do this with hydrating products. But if you were to use prescription products like Tretinoin, your skin needs to be 100% dry to avoid irritation. As a rule, wait until a product has completely absorbed before applying the next.
4. AHA is not an antioxidant, it’s an exfoliant. As a rule, the more antioxidants you use the better. You can use vitamin c + ferulic acid + green tea etc in the same routine. But some ingredients – AHAs/retinol/vitamin c – are powerful and can cause irritations, so it’s best not to use them at the same time. Check out this link for more info: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/skincare-ingredients-shouldnt-match/
5. It’s the same thing!
6. Yes, they do. If they use oils, they can for sure. But even foaming cleansers can, if the surfactants are strong enough.
7. Use a lip balm with SPF. And don’t exfoliate.
Hope this helps!
Hi Gio, sorry two more questions. If skincare products are left in the car under the hot sun for a whole day, can we still use them? Also, does HA work in an air conditioned environment? How to make HA work? Thanks!
Hi Gio! I just discovered your blog recently and I love it! So much amazing information that I never knew! Question for you – what are your thoughts on Mad Hippie’s eye cream? I’m looking for a new one and was considering trying it. I’m 27 with mildly dry/dehydrated skin.
Sarah, you don’t need an eye cream: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/do-you-really-need-an-eye-cream/
But if you still want one then yes, the Mad Hippie eye cream is a good choice.
Hi Gio!
I’ve been a silent reader of yours and I’ve learned so much from you! Thank you!
I’ve been wanting to try Mad Hippie products but just wasn’t sure if they’d make my combination skin oily after a couple hours. Reading your review has helped!
I was wondering — I know coconut oil is pretty comedogenic. Mad Hippie has stated that none of their products are comedogenic, yet this face cream and some of their other products, such as Vitamin A serum, have coconut oils? Or is there just not enough coconut oil in this face cream and their other products to clog pores?
Thank you!
Katie, thank you for your support over the years. Glad you find my blog helpful.
I don’t know how they can make this claim because coconut oil can be comedogenic for some skin type. If your combo skin isn’t too oily, there’s probably not enough here to cause problems. But if it’s very oily, I wouldn’t risk it.