Acure Brightening 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum Versus Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
Updated on January 21, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Acure Brightening 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum 16 ingredients
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Acure Brightening 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum 16 ingredients
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum 17 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Juice
AstringentGlycerin
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
Abrasive
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Tocotrienols, Ferulic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinXanthan 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.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.
It is a skin conditioning agent, meaning it helps soften and hydrate your skin.
According to Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the highest amounts of sodium levulinate are found in mouthwashes at 0.62%.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Sodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.
Sodium Anisate has antimicrobial properties.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Acure Brightening 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum 16 ingredients
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Acure Brightening 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum 16 ingredients
I have fungal acne and a damaged moisture barrier. I find that this serum doesn’t sting or irritate my skin. It is gentle, hydrating, and soothing. My skin has brightened up after two weeks of use. I love that this serum has aloe fruit juice and elderberry extract. They are such soothing ingredients for my skin. In terms of texture, this serum is watery with a slight slip to it. It has a pleasant Show more
I got a small 10ml tester size of this, and while I don't think I was able to use it long enough to see any results, I also didn't have any negative side effects while using it either. No irritation or breakouts. I mixed it with the Cosrx snail mucin essence in my hand before application to combine two steps in one.
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum 17 ingredients
As a redhead I’ve got some pretty reactive skin, but vitamin C is a must. I’ve tried vitamin C serums with regular ascorbic acid but they were too harsh and irritating, even using once a week. This serum contains a stabilized form of vitamin C that is so gentle I can use it daily without any problems. When I run out, I can immediately tell a difference! My skin loves this stuff. I hope they never Show more
This serum contain SAP not ascorbic acid and “It is more difficult to find studies and documentation on SAP in comparison to the other derivatives of vitamin C.”
The serum did nothing for my skin that might be the reason why.
