Bielenda Supremelab Energy Boost Brightening Serum with Ultra-Stable Vitamin C Versus Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum
Updated on October 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens and fragrances
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
Bielenda Supremelab Energy Boost Brightening Serum with Ultra-Stable Vitamin C 19 ingredients
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum 40 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Bielenda Supremelab Energy Boost Brightening Serum with Ultra-Stable Vitamin C 19 ingredients
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
PEG-8
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium PCA
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Reticulata Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium Lactate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Pelargonium Graveolens Leaf Oil
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMenyanthes Trifoliata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Dextran
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, PEG-8, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Sodium Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Pelargonium Graveolens Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Carbomer, Menyanthes Trifoliata Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Dextran, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is a fragrance and used to add a lemon-like scent to products. It is both naturally found in plants and created synthetically. In plants, it is commonly occurring in lemon myrtle, lemongrass, lemon tea-tree, lemon verbena, and other citruses.
The EU mandates Citral be listed separately as a fragrance. It is a known allergen and may cause contact dermatitis. Citral can also used as a masking ingredient.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
Learn more about CitralDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTADisodium Phosphate is a water-soluble powder used as a pH adjuster.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose 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 HydroxyethylcelluloseLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWe don't have a description for Sodium Phosphate yet.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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