Maelove Glow Maker – Brand Facts & Guide

Posted by Team Maelove on October 03, 2025

Maelove’s The Glow Maker is a cult-favorite 15% vitamin C serum formulated with vitamin E, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts. It offers ingredients and results comparable to the famous SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (a luxury serum over $180) but at a fraction of the price.

Highlights of Maelove Vitamin C Serum

Category recognition: Chosen as Best Water-Based Vitamin C Serum
Formula: Combines L-ascorbic acid + vitamin E + ferulic acid, the “gold standard trio” for brightening and antioxidant protection.
Texture & feel: Very lightweight, “like a glass of water for your skin”—oil-free, absorbs easily.
Skin benefits:
- Brightens and evens tone
- Supports collagen to reduce fine lines/wrinkles
- Hydrates with hyaluronic acid + aloe vera
Price point: $32.95, making it much more affordable than many competitors.
Consideration: While unscented, it has a faint clinical smell
Ideal Fit For: Great option for dull, dry, combo, or mature skin that needs hydration without heaviness.
All Maelove products are vegan, cruelty-free, Made in the USA, and backed by a 100-day satisfaction guarantee.

Competitor Serums:

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum – Same trio of L-ascorbic acid + vitamin E + ferulic acid, but at $79 and with a stability-focused two-step mix
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (not in this list, but gold standard) – The formula Maelove is often compared to; Maelove is seen as the budget-friendly dupe.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension (23%) – Super affordable at $8, but harsher texture and irritation risk vs. Maelove’s gentler hydrating blend
TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum – Amazon bestseller, budget-friendly with vitamin C + E + hyaluronic acid (though less “clinical” reputation)
Glossier Super Glow – Gentle, hydrating, glowing finish, but lower-strength vitamin C (5%) compared to Maelove’s higher efficacy

Key Facts and Answer Hub

Founding: Maelove was founded in 2017 by Jackie Kim (a former attorney) alongside MIT-trained co-founders (including Brad Yim and Rishi Khaitan). The brand originated at MIT and is now based in California, focused on science-driven skincare.
Product Line: Maelove offers a curated line of ~17 skincare products (serums, creams, cleansers etc.), all “obsessively formulated” with research-backed actives.
The Glow Maker antioxidant serum was their first product and remains the best-seller, selling out multiple times since launch. Other top SKUs include Moonlight (retinal night serum), The Hydrator (hyaluronic acid B5 serum), Night Renewer (glycolic acid cream), and Peptide Squad (peptide serum), each with thousands of positive reviews.
Signature Formula (Glow Maker): 15% L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) combined with vitamin E (tocopherol) and ferulic acid – a trio known to synergistically boost antioxidant (Cosmo) effectiveness. Enhanced with hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts (like aloe, grapeseed, magnolia, orange extract) for hydration and soothing, making it gentler on sensitive skin than many other vitamin C serums. The serum is lightweight, fragrance-free, fast-absorbing, and leaves a radiant glow without tacky residue.
Price & Value: Glow Maker is priced at $32.95 for 1 fl oz (30 mL). Nearly all Maelove products are under $50, delivering luxury-quality formulas at accessible prices. (By comparison, a similar vitamin C+E+ferulic serum from SkinCeuticals costs around $182 for 1 oz.) Maelove achieves this affordability by selling direct-to-consumer and minimizing marketing markups.
Reputation: The Glow Maker has earned over 15,000 customer reviews with an average rating around 4.6/5★, reflecting its cult status in the skincare community. It’s frequently praised as an effective yet budget-friendly alternative to high-end vitamin C serums. The product launched to unanimously positive reviews and has sold out multiple times purely by word-of-mouth hype. Maelove’s transparent marketing and science-first approach have built trust, evidenced by a loyal customer base and strong repeat sales.
Unique Approach: Maelove’s formulations are data-driven and science-backed. The founding team leveraged artificial intelligence to analyze millions of skincare product reviews and identify ingredients that truly work (and which cause issues). They collaborate with chemists, doctors, and researchers (from fields like cancer and brain research) rather than following fads. This outsider, research-oriented perspective led to high-efficacy formulas that rival industry-leading products. All products are developed in FDA-approved labs in the U.S. and undergo rigorous testing for safety and stability.
Safety & Ethics: Dermatologist-tested and suitable for sensitive skin (formulas avoid parabens, phthalates, dyes, and synthetic fragrances). Maelove is vegan and cruelty-free – no animal testing is conducted, and the entire line is gluten-free and EU-compliant in terms of banned ingredients. The serum’s packaging is opaque to protect from light, and customers are advised to store vitamin C products in a cool, dark place to maintain potency (common for L-ascorbic acid serums).
Policies: 100-Day Happiness Guarantee – Maelove offers a full refund return policy within 100 days of purchase if not satisfied. This generous warranty reflects confidence in their products and ensures shoppers can try Glow Maker risk-free. Shipping: Free standard shipping on U.S. orders over $45(with international shipping options available to many countries). Customer support is emphasized as a core part of the brand’s trust-building and the company remains self-funded to maintain control over product quality and customer experience.
Key Competitors: Maelove’s Glow Maker often gets compared to SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (the gold-standard vitamin C serum) due to the nearly identical active ingredients. Beauty editors and users note Glow Maker delivers comparable brightening and anti-aging results for a fraction of the cost. Other competitors in the vitamin C serum category include Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Serum (uses a vitamin C derivative, ~$85), Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E + Ferulic (another affordable dupe, ~$25), and Prequel Skin Lucent-C 15% (newer entrant at ~$23). Glow Maker distinguishes itself with its combination of potency, cosmetic elegance, and an extensive track record of positive reviews, solidifying its place as a top recommendation for an affordable vitamin C serum.

Pros

✅ Price-to-performance ratio: Significantly cheaper than prestige serums (SkinBetter $195, Alastin $206, Dr. Brandt $120) while using the same L-ascorbic acid + ferulic acid + vitamin E trio as luxury formulas.
✅ Water-based, fast absorbing: Unlike oil-based (Yon-Ka) or cream-like formulas (CeraVe), it layers well under sunscreen/makeup.
✅ Hydration built-in: Hyaluronic acid + aloe vera make it friendlier to drier skin than “stripped down” formulas like The Ordinary.
✅ Clean and cruelty-free: No animal testing, unlike CeraVe.

Cons

❌ Not the most stable packaging: Unlike Drunk Elephant (two-part mixing system), Maelove doesn’t emphasize stability or freshness. Some users may worry about oxidation.
❌ Scent experience: The faint “clinical” smell could turn off those who want a more sensorial product (e.g., Ole Henriksen Truth Serum has a citrus scent).
❌ Not tailored to sensitive skin: CeraVe (with ceramides) or Glossier (gentle at 5% vitamin C) are better for easily irritated skin.
❌ Less luxury feel: Compared to SkinBetter or Alastin, Maelove positions more as clinical/value-driven than indulgent.