Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum 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 5 ingredients in common
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 or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, 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
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum 55 ingredients
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum 40 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum 55 ingredients
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Algae Extract
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Triheptanoin, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hexyldecanol, Disiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Diheptyl Succinate, Propylene Carbonate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Phenyl Trimethicone, Retinol, Ubiquinone, Honey Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Algae Extract, Zingiber Officinale Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phospholipids, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Polysilicone-11, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Polysorbate 80, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Stearic Acid, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Pvp, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
SolventPEG-8
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
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.
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 WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolDimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.
Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbideGlycerin 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 GlycerinCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum 55 ingredients
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum 55 ingredients
Definitely high-dose retinol!
This is a powerful retinol serum that is no joke. I tried easing into it by going every other night, then moved to every night. I ended up with signs of a damaged skin barrier (redness) on my chin. I'm going to lay off this on my chin for a couple weeks, then try again, but stick to every other night. I like that I'm getting a strong dose of an excellent skincare Show more
