AHA BHA Milk Serum
Skip until brand discloses PFAS testing or claims.
AHA BHA milk serum is a rinse-off liquid product with no known PFAS-use triggers. Mad Hippie makes no PFAS disclosure; lab data unavailable.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water, glycerin, AHA/BHA actives, emollients
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What AHA BHA Milk Serum is made of, ingredients and materials
This serum is a water-glycerin base with AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) chemical exfoliants plus emollients. The active ingredients are well-established cosmetic exfoliants; glycerin is a humectant with no toxicity concern at typical use levels. The formula poses no inherent leaching or thermal degradation risk because it is a liquid leave-on product applied topically in small amounts, not heated or stored in conditions that would stress the formulation.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Mad Hippie does not provide a full fragrance breakdown or allergen declarations on public labeling. If the serum contains fragrance (common in this brand's products), synthetic or natural fragrance components can trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in susceptible users; this risk is not quantified without ingredient transparency.
1,4-dioxane from ethoxylated emulsifiers or surfactants
Glycerin-based serums sometimes contain ethoxylated emollients (e.g., ceteth, steareth compounds) as manufacturing byproducts of which can contain trace 1,4-dioxane. Without full ingredient disclosure or manufacturing transparency, the presence and level of 1,4-dioxane cannot be ruled out.
AHA/BHA skin irritation and photosensitivity
Chemical exfoliants are known to cause temporary irritation, redness, and increased sun sensitivity, especially at high concentrations or with repeated use. This is an expected pharmacological effect, not a hidden hazard, but users must follow instructions and apply daily SPF.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No record of formaldehyde-based preservatives (e.g., dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) in Mad Hippie products; brand positioning suggests avoidance, but preservative identity is not fully disclosed in public materials.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
The serum is water-based; if sourced from unfiltered or poorly treated water supplies, trace heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic) are theoretically possible. Mad Hippie does not publicly disclose water source or testing; risk is low but unverified.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Mad Hippie markets itself as a natural and clean beauty brand but has not publicly disclosed PFAS testing, ingredient sourcing audits, or third-party safety certifications on this product. The brand's silence on PFAS testing is notable given that fluorinated compounds can appear in cosmetic emulsifiers, preservative systems, or water sources; without testing data or explicit supplier commitments, the claim of low PFAS risk cannot be verified. No significant safety recalls or controversies are on record for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
AHA/BHA serums are a crowded category. This formulation avoids known hazards (no talc, no heavy-metal pigments, no reported formaldehyde-releaser preservatives at typical levels), placing it roughly in line with other glycerin-based exfoliant serums. However, many competitors in this space (including brands with stronger clean-beauty credentials) voluntarily disclose PFAS test results or water-source verification; Mad Hippie's silence is a relative weakness, not an absolute flag.
If you buy it
Patch test before full facial use; AHA/BHA can sensitize skin, especially in combination. Store in a cool, dark place; the glycerin base does not require refrigeration but degrades slowly in direct sunlight or high heat. Use as directed (typically 2-3 times per week for beginners) to avoid overexfoliation. Discontinue if redness, peeling, or irritation persists beyond one week of adaptation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 75% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Mad Hippie has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to AHA BHA Milk Serum?
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3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More moisturizer grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.