Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Skin science article

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum Versus Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C | Hydrate + Plump

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum Versus Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C | Hydrate + Plump This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ferulic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This bri

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum Versus Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C | Hydrate + Plump

This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ferulic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.

This brightening serum is formulated around Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Glycerin

Sodium Levulinate

Sodium Anisate

Salvia Sclarea Oil

Citrus Grandis Seed Extract

Hyaluronic Acid

Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf

Tocotrienols

Ferulic Acid

Matricaria Maritima Powder

Sodium Phytate

Xanthan Gum

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Tocotrienols, Ferulic Acid, Matricaria Maritima Powder, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Dimethyl Sulfone

Tocopheryl Acetate

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Pelargonium Graveolens Oil

Camellia Sinensis Extract

Centella Asiatica Extract

Equisetum Arvense Extract

Taraxacum Officinale Extract

Geranium Maculatum Extract

Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose

Carrageenan

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Sorbate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Sulfone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.

This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable.

Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefits. One study found 5% of SAP lotion to be an effective ingredient for treating acne vulgaris. This is because research shows that SAP may help control acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and slowing the oxidation of skin oils caused by UV exposure.

In addition to acne, vitamin C is important for skin structure. Lab studies suggest SAP may support collagen production in skin cells, making it a great ingredient in anti-aging routines.

Vitamin C has many benefits: it helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, fade the appearance of dark spots, and brighten the skin.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 03Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
  4. 04Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
  5. 05Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
  6. 06Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
  7. 07This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
  8. 08Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
  9. 09Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
  10. 10Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
  11. 11In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
  12. 12Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
  13. 13Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
  14. 14Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
  15. 15You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
  16. 16Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
  17. 17So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
  18. 18You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
  19. 19Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
  20. 20On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

03

Comparison edit

Read side by side

04

Ask the journal

Related questions

01How to Apply Face Serums

Skincare rules can get confusing, but when it comes to application the general rule of thumb is to pay attention to the product’s consistency. “Apply the lightest, thinnest product first and the heaviest, and more dense products last, since thinner products can’t penetrate thicker products,”says Dr. Lewis. After cleansing the face and following up with a toner, let the skin dry before using a serum. You can layer different serums on top of each other or opt for a product that has a precise mix of multiple hero ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

Source · www.skincare.com
02What Skin Types Should Use Hyaluronic Acid?

“Hyaluronic acid is particularly helpful for those experiencing dry skin, and for those desiring a plumping effect,” explains Dr. King. But, if you have an oily skin type, don’t discredit hyaluronic acid from your routine just yet. Despite the excess sebum that you may experience, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated so that it doesn’t overcompensate and produce even more oil as a result. Besides your skin type, you should also look at the condition of your skin to decide if it’s time to begin using hyaluronic acid. “If your skin is starting to look dull, flaky and you’re seeing more pronounced fine lines and wrinkles, that’s a pretty good indication that it’s time to add this ingredient to your routine,” adds O’Conner.

Source · www.skincare.com