Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum Versus ZO Skin Health Hydrating Crème
Updated on January 27, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain peptides 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 or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, 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
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum 40 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Hydrating Crème 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum 40 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Hydrating Crème 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Colloidal Oatmeal
Abrasive
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-21
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentBenzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Colloidal Oatmeal, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Tetrapeptide-21, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-11, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Maltodextrin, Benzalkonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol
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 WaterAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Serum 40 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Hydrating Crème 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
