Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser Versus Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser
Updated on October 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser 30 ingredients
Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser 25 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
Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser 30 ingredients
Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Yucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Abies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitol, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Gluconolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Coconut Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Lactate
BufferingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Stearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Lactate, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lauric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Linalool
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 GlycerinThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidLinalool 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 LinaloolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser 30 ingredients
Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser 30 ingredients
Perfect gentle cleanser, perfect lather.
