Ulta Brighten Up Face Serum Versus Olehenriksen Glow Cycle™ Retin-ALT Power Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and silicones
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
Ulta Brighten Up Face Serum 30 ingredients
Olehenriksen Glow Cycle™ Retin-ALT Power Serum 42 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Ulta Brighten Up Face Serum 30 ingredients
Olehenriksen Glow Cycle™ Retin-ALT Power Serum 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Polysilicone-11
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingUlva Lactuca Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Polysilicone-11, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Tin Oxide, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Ulva Lactuca Extract, Phytic Acid, Mica, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Glycereth-26
HumectantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Santalum Album Extract
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Mica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bakuchiol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Ceteareth-20, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Cellulose Gum, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Silica, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, CI 77891, CI 60730, CI 14700
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 WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconePropanediol 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 PropanediolGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.
Mica is found to be safe. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.
Learn more about MicaCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
