Ultraceuticals Ultra Hydrating Lotion
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingUrea, Linoleic acid + 20 moreStrong evidence
“Ultra Hydrating Lotion”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, squalene.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide 3, linoleic acid, urea
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Squalene, TocopherolModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (squalene) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy13 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale5 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Methylpropanediol~6.5–8%
Glycerin~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinDicaprylyl carbonate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateDecyl oleate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Decyl oleateDimethicone~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Olive oil decyl esters~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Squalene~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualeneCetearyl isononanoate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateSodium hyaluronate~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderUrea~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaCholesterol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolTocopherol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolLinoleic acid~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidSodium lactate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateSodium pca~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaLinolenic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Linolenic acidLecithin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinCeramide 3~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide 3Ceteareth-20~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlycine soja oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerCeteareth-12~0.3–0.55%
Cetyl palmitate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateGlyceryl stearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePhenylpropanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps mask the smell of other ingredients and helps preserve the product formulation
More about PhenylpropanolCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDisodium phosphate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateCitric acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumMaltodextrin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinBenzoic acid~0.15–0.3%
T-butyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.15%
Lactic acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidIngredient list view
Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Decyl oleate, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Olive oil decyl esters, Squalene, Cetearyl isononanoate, Sodium hyaluronate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Urea, Cholesterol, Tocopherol, Linoleic acid, Sodium lactate, Sodium pca, Linolenic acid, Lecithin, Ceramide 3, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycine soja oil, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl palmitate, Glyceryl stearate, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl glycol, Disodium phosphate, Citric acid, Xanthan gum, Maltodextrin, Benzoic acid, T-butyl alcohol, Sodium hydroxide, Lactic acid
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| UltraceuticalsUltra Hydrating LotionYOUR PRODUCT | UltraceuticalsLIMITED EDITION SIZE Ultra Hydrating Lotion | |
|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% |
| Price | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 13 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | — |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop |
Product summary
"Ultraceuticals AU - Ultra Hydrating Lotion" has a good moisturizing formula. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (urea, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, sodium lactate and sodium pca) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Ceramide 3, linoleic acid, cholesterol, glycine soja oil and linolenic acid in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide 3 0.40% - 0.65%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- We love that there is also Linoleic Acid in this moisturizer (0.60% - 0.95%). Linoleic Acid is one of the skin's natural emollients. It supports the skin barrier and can even help reduce clogged pores.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4Squalene and its potential clinical useseuropepmc.org
- 5
- 6Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxidesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.