Vitamin C Serum
Skip; no PFAS data available for serum formulation.
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum contains no obvious PFAS-prone materials like Teflon-family coating or water-repellent coating coatings. However, the brand provides no PFAS disclosure or third-party testing, leaving formulation opacity unresolved.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water, plant extracts, vitamin C, preservatives
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Vitamin C Serum is made of, ingredients and materials
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is a water-based formulation combining L-ascorbic acid (or a stabilized vitamin C derivative), plant extracts, and chemical preservatives to prevent microbial growth and oxidation. Water-based serums are generally lower-concern than oil-based or emulsified products because they lack emulsifiers and surfactants that commonly carry contaminants. The stability and safety of the product depend heavily on which preservative system is used and how well the formulation resists oxidation over time, since oxidized vitamin C loses efficacy and may degrade into irritant byproducts.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Mad Hippie does not disclose which preservative system is used. Common preservatives in water-based serums include phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone, or formaldehyde-releasing agents; some formulations may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a processing byproduct if not distilled. Without ingredient transparency, risk cannot be ruled out.
Source, ATSDR ↗Plant extract allergens and contamination
Mad Hippie emphasizes plant extracts but does not specify botanical species, sourcing, or pesticide testing. Plant-derived ingredients can harbor natural allergens (e.g., sesquiterpene lactones) or environmental contaminants (heavy metals, mold) depending on cultivation and extraction methods.
Vitamin C oxidation and degradation byproducts
Water-based vitamin C formulations are prone to oxidation once opened, especially if not stored optimally. Oxidized ascorbic acid can form irritant compounds and become ineffective; this is a stability challenge inherent to the product type, not a manufacturing defect.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fragrance allergens (if present)
Mad Hippie's website does not list added fragrance or essential oils in the Vitamin C Serum formulation; if present, they are not disclosed in public sources. Undisclosed fragrance components remain a potential hidden allergen source.
Heavy metals
No recalls or documented contamination cases are on record for this product. However, water-based plant extract serums can accumulate trace metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic) if botanical raw materials are not tested; Mad Hippie does not publish heavy metal testing results.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Mad Hippie does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing, preservative selection rationale, or third-party safety testing results on their website or labeling. The brand does not hold established certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, NSF, organic certifications for cosmetics) that would provide independent verification of formulation claims. No significant safety controversies or recalls have been publicly documented for this product or brand, but the absence of transparency limits independent assessment of potential allergens or contaminants in plant extracts.
How it compares in its category
Vitamin C serums vary widely in stabilization method and preservative choice; Mad Hippie's water-based approach is common and generally considered lower-risk than oil-based vitamin C products, which can oxidize faster. Many competitor brands (The Ordinary, Timeless, Neutralize) publish detailed ingredient lists and stability data; Mad Hippie does not emphasize this transparency. Plant extract-heavy formulations like Mad Hippie's introduce natural variability batch-to-batch, which can affect preservative efficacy and allergen risk compared to minimalist synthetic formulations.
If you buy it
Perform a patch test on inner arm or behind ear for 24-48 hours before full facial application, as plant extracts can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat; vitamin C oxidizes rapidly when exposed to light and air, reducing efficacy and potentially creating irritant degradation products. Discard if the serum yellows, browns, or develops an off odor, which indicates oxidation or preservative failure. Once opened, use within 2-3 months and keep the bottle tightly sealed between applications to minimize air exposure.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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.
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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.