Ultraceuticals Ultra A Skin Perfecting Serum Mild
Works for
Anti-agingRetinol, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 + 3 moreWorks well
“The Ultra A Skin Perfecting range contains an effective but moderate level of our proprietary Ultra-RETITM microparticles to significantly condition and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Retinol, Bisabolol + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationSide benefit · Retinol, Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 + 13 moreWorks well
“Retinol smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
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, saccharide isomerate.
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, jojoba esters.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Retinol, Stearyl glycyrrhetinate + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: stearyl glycyrrhetinate.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Retinol, Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: RetinolMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateDimethicone~4.5–5.5%
- 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 DimethiconeGlycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 80~2.3–2.8%
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerBisabolol~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololStearyl glycyrrhetinate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
More about Stearyl glycyrrhetinateWater~1.2–1.4%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateDimethicone~0.75–1.15%
- 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 DimethiconeGlycerin~0.6–0.9%
- 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 80~0.55–0.8%
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerBisabolol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololStearyl glycyrrhetinate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fatty acid derived from licorice. Works as an emollient and can help calm down inflammation
More about Stearyl glycyrrhetinateCetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymerBenzyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholJojoba esters~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersButylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolBht~0.25–0.5%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateHydroxyethylcellulose~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePropanediol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPolysorbate 20~0.25–0.5%
Retinol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolSalicylic acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Polysorbate 60~0.25–0.5%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateClimbazole~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Sodium lactate~0.25–0.45%
- 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 lactateCarbomer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerSorbic acid~0.25–0.4%
Disodium phosphate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphatePalmitoyl tripeptide-5~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-5Xanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium phosphate~0.2–0.35%
Saccharide isomerate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateGlyceryl caprylate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateBha~0.15–0.25%
Tocopherol~0.15–0.3%
- 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 TocopherolPalmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Ingredient list view
Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Bisabolol, Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Unknown, Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Bisabolol, Stearyl glycyrrhetinate, Cetearyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Benzyl alcohol, Jojoba esters, Butylene glycol, Bht, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Salicylic acid, Disodium edta, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Climbazole, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium lactate, Carbomer, Sorbic acid, Disodium phosphate, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Xanthan gum, Sodium phosphate, Saccharide isomerate, Glyceryl caprylate, Bha, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
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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 A Skin Perfecting Serum MildYOUR PRODUCT | ZO Skin HealthClear Renewal | Dr Dennis GrossAdvanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum | innisfreeGentle Retinol Salicylic Acne Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 71% | 70% | 70% |
| Price | — | $170.00 | $20.00 | $34.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 4 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Ferulic Acid | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: pureclinica Triple Strength Vitamin C, E & Ferulic Acid SerumClinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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