It isn’t often that I talk about the same product twice on my blog. I first shared my thoughts on the Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum back in 2015. I liked it back then. It was one of the few retinol products that I found helped my skin, and was gentle, yet effective. So, why am I favouring it with a SECOND review?
Well, 2 reasons really.
The first is because I wanted to share that Mad Hippie is now available in Malaysia. I have not tried many products from them (Only the Vitamin C and Vitamin A serums – here’s what I think of the Vitamin C), which brings me to my second reason.
I was told that the Mad Hippie Vitamin A serum had been improved upon with a new, and effective retinol ingredient, and I wanted to see how a product that worked well the first time around, could be improved upon.
Well, well, well. Knock me down with a feather – it still is very impressive! :)
My invitation to try the new and improved Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum came at a time when I was going back to using retinol in the evening. Thus far, I have not been terribly lucky with using retinol, as some formulations have a tendency to break me out. So, I was concentrating on using up my Sunday Riley Luna oil.
So, when this landed on my desk, I decided I’d have a go. After all, it is now easily available locally, and I remembered that it was effective, and it is really, fairly affordable.
The serum is still a fairly thick emulsion, that comes in a dropper style dispenser. It is an opaque whitish-yellow colour and smells slightly fruity. Thus far, it seems the same, based on memory.
The difference lies in the type of retinoid used – Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR). Previously they used Retinyl Retinoate. So, what is Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR)?
What is Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR)?
I did a little digging, and it turns out that Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is the newest form of retinoic acid ester, that promises efficacy, but without irritation. In fact, it is said that Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate works just as effectively as Tretinoin (Retin–A), without the irritation that Tretinoin (Retin–A) brings. Only Retinoic Acid has a biological effect on skin, while other types of retinoids have to convert to retinoic acid before having any effect. Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, being a retinoic acid ester means it does not require conversion, which from my understanding, means it works right out of the bottle.
You can read a little more here and here. Now know that there are now quite a few products that contain Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (one of them is the Zelens Vitamin A serum that I’m dying to try now I know a little more! It is also found in some The Ordinary products – which I won’t try for personal reasons) but there aren’t many yet. And one of them, is this Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum. I read that it contains 2% of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate but I can’t find more information on this.
Truthfully, I’m no skincare expert. I can only tell you how a product performs for me, and if it is indeed possible, this Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum is now even better than before. I almost did not want to believe it :P
I have been using this serum only at night, for about 3-4 weeks now (I’ve lost count), after I had a last bout of issues with my skin. Sometimes, I go off track and my skin derails along with me. When I get back on track, my skin starts behaving again. This was one of the serums I used to get my skin back on track.
I can attest to skin that is smoother, softer and more plumped. I have laugh lines that are noticeably less obvious, and my skin just looks generally better overall. Do note however, that I cannot say with 100% certainty that it is 100% attributed to this product. I also use a Vitamin C serum in the day, and I am paranoid about hydration. But this serum has certainly helped, because I have noticed a marked difference in skin quality, with regular use. Everything in my earlier review still stands true so you can read it for better depth and comparison if you like.
Is HPR better as an ingredient? Honestly, I won’t know either. But thus far, I have experienced no irritation to my skin at all. I am very careful to wear a high SPF sunscreen every single day, and I am also careful to only use this product at night. Retinol can and will make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so to avoid further sun damage, protect your skin at all times.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum with Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is an upgrade of their already very good formula. The formula feels comfortable on the skin, and leaves no residue. I find it very effective in making my skin texture better overall, and noticeably softer and smoother. It is also very gentle which makes this a good introduction to using retinol in your skincare. This was a good product and remains a very good product and I have nothing bad to say about it at all. For the record, I use half to one pump each time. They still haven’t advised us how much to use each time.
PROS: Affordable, Lightweight emulsion texture sinks into skin easily, Not drying, No irritation, Makes skin feel smoother and softer, Skin looks more plumped and lines are less noticeable, Effective and gentle
CONS: None
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants to try an effective yet gentle retinol (vitamin A) serum, Anyone who has problems with fine lines and rough skin
PRICE: RM139 (presently on sale) | US$33.99 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Worthee Cosmetics (MY), iHerb (Use code MPW213 for 5% discount)
Here is the ingredient list for the new Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum with Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR).
Compare this with the previous version I used.
There is some different ordering of ingredients and change of ingredients. But if you ask me, the new one is all good. Thumbs up!
Did you try the Mad Hippie Vitamin A serum the first time around? What Retinol products are you using now?
I must say I am quite impressed by this one. But I am also now champing at the bit to try the Zelens Vitamin A serum since I’ve had such good results with their Vitamin C! Now, let me shake out my couch for loose change and see if there’s enough to splurge yet LOL!
Paris B
As a physician, I always have prescription strength retinoids at hand.
But my holy grail retinoid is the Alpha H Beauty Sleep Peel Night Cream. Beware, it is very strong (only use it twice a week; contains a combination of retinol with glycolic acid, also contains fragrance). Not for the faint hearted or sensitive skinned.
OH I LOVE Beauty Sleep Power Peel. Agree that it is not for everybody and I love that its formulated together with an acid. I used to alternate this with Liquid Gold until mine ran out. I plan on getting it again once I get through the glut of my stash. I honestly don’t know why I don’t just stick to this cos it works so well :P
I dug it out just a few weeks back and used it a few times since. It is nice!
Ah maybe one day I’ll go down the road of prescription strength retinoids, but I’m a little hesitant. Maybe it’s because I just don’t like seeing doctors for anything, in general. Not unless I can’t help it LOL! :D Oh and you know what? I have that Alpha H Beauty Sleep Peel thing too! I’ve tried it a few times so far, and it’s pretty amazing. I definitely felt a tingle. Glad to know it’s something you love too!
I love the Sidmool Retinol 1.1% serum, which I can’t wait to repurchase but unfortunately I have an Ordinary Retinol in my stash to work through first….maybe it’ll be decent but I don’t have high hopes after trying that gritty Vitamin C product they made.
That’s interesting, I’d not come across that brand Sidmool before, but I’ll be sure to check it out! I hope The Ordinary one works for you, it sadly didn’t for me. Just like that terrible Vit C serum!
Remember that Ordinary Retinoid that had you breaking out skin going crazy? That contained HPR too which is why I loved using it so much because it was gentle yet effective and one of my HG until you know what happened. Which is why it makes me so angry because now I need to find an alternative and most HPR serums are in oil (Luna, Votary, JSS etc) which is what I don’t want (love Luna but prefer a watery serum so I can use it at the start). Have heard of this Mad Hippie serum but yeah wasn’t keen because of the derivative used. But I am definitely going to try this newly formulated one now when mine runs out.
Yeah they used retinyl palmitate before this, but have since upgraded the formula. And that Ordinary one was a right bummer! It’s interesting though – it goes to show that it isn’t about the ingredients, but about the formulation. Perhaps the formulation of The Ordinary just didn’t sit well with me. Apparently, Murad also uses this version of retinol! I haven’t tried theirs though. Murad products don’t really sit well with my skin too. But I’m really curious about the Zelens Vit A :P
Interesting! I’ve begun incorporating retinol in my skincare routine but it’s at a very small strength- 0.2%. My past experience with Vit A (or C or E or any AHAs) wasn’t great. But wanted to try again, hence using it at a very mild strength and work my way up. So far, so good, but this Mad Hippie one intrigues me. But the strength is at 2% u say? Hmmm…I may need to find out more abt this type of Vit A and see if that strength would suit my finicky skin.
Like you I didn’t have a lot of good experience with Vit A before this too. I used Retin-A back in the day, but it was so drying and we weren’t educated about piling on hydration thereafter so I was a perpetual dried out, peeling husk. Yuck! It is apparently at 2% but there is no real info – I only found it in a random comment on a site. It is quite gentle, I feel due to the formula. If you want to try it, you can start by using it 1-2 times a week, before scaling up to every other day. In fact, most people use retinols every other day. No need to use everyday :)
I bought their vitamin c serum thru iherb years ago and I loved it! so which store carry this brand in malaysia?
How interesting! I found the Vitamin C useless for me! Haha! :D But good to know it worked for you. You can get it at Worthee Cosmetics. Link is in the post :)
Hi Paris. If I were to incorporate a Retinol into my routine, do I actually need Estee Lauder’s ANR? Just wondering if ANR is actually necessary these days :-)
ANR used to contain retinyl palmitate back in the day, which is a form of retinol. But it’s since been removed from the ingredient list (that I can remember) So, it is now more of an overall product. You can skip it if you prefer. I don’t use them both together, but I’d suggest using something hydrating along with retinol, as it can sometimes feel a little drying on the skin. That said, this Mad Hippie one is quite gentle, I feel. I’d say ANR is a good start for anti-aging up till about mid-30s. After that, you need something a little more (although if it’s still delivering results that you are happy with, stick with it!)
When you say hydrating, means to use a hydrating serum before retinol or to use a hydrating serum the next morning? Which hydrating serum do you use?
I’d use it after retinol (I like having my active serum closest to my skin – even if it’s psychological) and follow up with a moisturiser. I’m not using a hydrating serum currently. Haven’t found one that I really like so I’m just using the Hada Labo Premium Lotion after my retinol and in the day too. I also use the Genaissance Infused Lotion, but really, that one is optional LOL! :)
Thanks! Going to get this serum soon. Will save money on purchasing ANR. I realised that using Melvita’s Argan Oil and Apiscoma gives me good skin already but would like to add Retinol to my skincare since I am already in my early 40s :-)
Yep, now’s a good time to start using retinol :) I just finished off my Apiscoma cream! Nothing more would pump out and I felt a little desolate LOL! But glad you’ve found some products that work for you! ANR is good. But I think there comes a point when it doesn’t do as much for our skin anymore. If you had the budget, I’d say do Retinol and then ANR over. It seems to give it a bit of “boost”. But really, it’s too luxurious to consider :P
Retinol and then ANR over? Wow. I might consider this method since I actually have the budget. Lol. Actually what does ANR do for your skin? Curious to know the answer :-)
For me ANR makes my skin softer more hydrated and more rested. I can’t quite put my finger on it but every time I use it it gives me that effect. The reason I told you to try layering is because I did it with the Genaissance serum over Luna. The Genaissance serum is very similar to ANR and I saw amazing results. Skin was so soft and smooth I coudln’t stop touching it lol!
Paris, last question as I forgot to ask this earlier. Do you acid tone on days when you use Retinol? I looked up Caroline Hirons’ cheat sheet and she said she does use acids on days she uses Retinol but I just want to be sure. Thanks!
I sometimes do and sometimes don’t. But I have cut back on using acid toners now, where I use it only about 1-2 times a week, as opposed to daily, as before. So, sometimes if I feel my skin needs it, I’ll acid tone, then mist before going on with my retinol. But if I’m doing something more intensive by way of retinol, I won’t. Some people say you shouldn’t, because it’s too much. But I think it depends on the level of acid and retinol you’re using. But if you want to be safe, then don’t :)
If you say it’s good then my expectations for it are very high . I saw this brand a few times but never bought anything . So glad it’s available on vitacost and they ship international ..will order soon:) .
I hope it’ll work for you Anusha. I remember you tend to use natural products, and Mad Hippie makes natural products, so this will be up your alley :)
Still so glad I stumbled across your older blog post about this product and decided to try it out (after you pointed me in the direction of a Msian distributor)! It’s been wonderful for my skin, and my mom’s a recent convert too after how it lightened a particularly dark pigmentation spot on her face.
(IG handle: tangibilia)
Oh very happy that you and your Mum like this serum! I’ve just finished mine. Very good and very gentle :)