Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum

Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum
2.8
/ 10
Moisturizing
5.6 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
4.5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Results you may expect from using Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum:

  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.8 out of 10.
  • Considerable anti-wrinkle efficacy: Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 4.5 out of 10, indicating a moderate ability to reduce wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Lightly moisturizing: Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum has a moisturizing rating of 2.8 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 5.6 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Niacinamide (est. ≈3.0%) and Propanediol (est. ≈2.0%).

Tip: Studies suggest that humectants alone do not moisturize the skin. We recommend applying a product with some occlusive ingredients after the use of this one.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum has a moderate anti-wrinkle rating of 4.5 out of 10. It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Niacinamide (est. ≈3.0%),
 one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients.
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver additional anti-wrinkle efficacy through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Niacinamide (est. ≈3.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
Water
6
Mandelic Acid
4
Dimethyl Isosorbide
3
Niacinamide
2
Propanediol
1.5
Acetyl Zingerone
1.3
Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
1
Sodium Hydroxide
0.3
Hydroxyresveratrol
0.3
Xanthan Gum
0.3
Caprylyl Glycol
0.3
Sodium Metabisulfite
0.3
Disodium EDTA
0.3
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
0.3
Glycerin
0.3
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
0.3
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
0.3
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
0.3
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
0.3
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
0.3
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil
0.3
Eucalyptus Radiata Leaf/Stem Oil
0.3
Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
0.3
Limonene
0.3
Linalool
0.3
Geraniol
0.3
Citronellol
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Mandelic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Function:
Origin:
Niacinamide
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Acetyl Zingerone
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyresveratrol
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Metabisulfite
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
Function:
Origin:
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Function:
Origin:
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Function:
Origin:
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil
Function:
Origin:
Eucalyptus Radiata Leaf/Stem Oil
Function:
Origin:
Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Function:
Origin:
Limonene
Function:
Origin:
Linalool
Function:
Origin:
Geraniol
Function:
Origin:
Citronellol
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
5.6
3
2
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 5.6 10
5.6
3
2
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
2.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
3
2
0.3
0.3
All humectants 5.6 10
5.6
All humectants
5.6
3
2
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
6 /10 4 3 4.5
Total
4.5
Niacinamide
4.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
3
Anti-wrinkle rating
4.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
3
1.5
0.3
All antioxidants 4.8 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
4.8
Niacinamide
3
Acetyl Zingerone
1.5
Sodium Metabisulfite
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
3
All soothing 3 5 No
All soothing
3
3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Mandelic Acid
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Mandelic AcidDerived from almonds, this ingredient is one of the gentlest AHAs and is used for its exfoliating and antimicrobial properties. It is particularly beneficial for acne but also helps to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Dimethyl IsosorbideA solvent for active ingredients that is claimed to help them better penetrate the outer layer of skin. It also helps to reduce the thickness of a product.
Niacinamide
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Propanediol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Acetyl Zingerone
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Acetyl ZingeroneDescription is coming soon
Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic AcidDescription is coming soon
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Hydroxyresveratrol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
HydroxyresveratrolDescription is coming soon
Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Sodium Metabisulfite
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium MetabisulfiteA preservative that is especially effective at preventing fungus and mold growth. It is normally combined with a strong bactericidal preservative in order to achieve broad-spectrum protection. Sodium metabisulfite is also used as an antioxidant.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylhydroxamic AcidA chelating agent used alongside preservatives in order to boost their antimicrobial activity.
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel OilAn essential oil derived from the peels of the sweet orange. It is commonly used as a fragrance because of its pleasant, citrusy scent. The main constituent of the essential oil is limonene (up to 96%).
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) OilAn essential oil derived from common, or true, lavender. It is used in skincare for its lovely, calming scent. Like all essential oils, however, it may cause a contact skin allergy in more sensitive individuals.
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pelargonium Graveolens OilA fragrant essential oil with a rose-like scent obtained from the leaves of rose geranium. It is sometimes added to a more expensive rose oil in order to produce larger volumes.
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cananga Odorata Flower OilA fragrant essential oil obtained from the flowers of the tropical ylang-ylang tree. It is a popular ingredient in skincare, as well as in aromatherapy, perfumes, and the food industry for its sweet, floral, slightly fruity, jasmine-like scent.
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf OilDescription is coming soon
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel OilDescription is coming soon
Eucalyptus Radiata Leaf/Stem Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Eucalyptus Radiata Leaf/Stem OilDescription is coming soon
Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil

A fragrant essential oil derived from Australian sandalwood. It is primarily used in skincare as a fragrance ingredient that imparts a unique, sweet-woody aroma. It also potentially offers soothing effects and antioxidant protection.

Limonene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LimoneneOne of the most used fragrances in skincare products. It is produced from the peels of citrus fruits and has a fresh, pleasant, citrusy smell. People who are sensitive to citrus should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Linalool
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LinaloolA fragrant, volatile compound naturally present in many essential oils. It has a pleasant scent and is often used in skincare products as a fragrance. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Geraniol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
GeraniolA fragrant, volatile, plant-based, liquid chemical that can be naturally found in many essential oils (specifically rose, palmarosa, citronella). It has a rose-like scent. It is a potential irritant and may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Citronellol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CitronellolA fragrant compound found naturally in many essential oils (mainly lemongrass). It can have a lemon or a rose scent. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid products with citronellol, or at least do a patch test before using it.