Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Our #3 Choice

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum claims to target the appearance of skin discolorations as well as combating the signs of aging to restore youthful skin* We investigate these claims by examining the formula of this product as well as detailing all you need to know before making a purchase.

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Editor's Rating: Average

Introduction

Founded in 2009, Sunday Riley is a female-owned skincare brand which is cruelty-free and based on science. What stuck out in our minds is the inclusion of a Vitamin C derivative in this formula that is not Ascorbic Acid. Even though much research has been done on Ascorbic Acid, it is not stable and therefore degrades and becomes inactive. Therefore, this product uses THD Ascorbate for greater efficacy. Unfortunately, there is only a 15% concentration of Vitamin C found here which is lower than the 20% which is the maximum concentration we look for in a Vitamin C serum. We also felt the absence of both Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E as these are ingredients which are well-researched to enhance Vitamin C products. For more information about whether this serum is right for you, read our review below.

Ingredients

We've listed the active ingredients in order to get an idea of this formula, they are:

  • Vitamin C (15% THD Ascorbate) - A derivative of Vitamin C, which is more stable than Ascorbic Acid, found in only 15% concentration.
  • Phytosterols Complex - Compounds found in soybeans, which may help reduce skin redness and sensitivity.
  • Saccharide Isomerate Extract - Helps to retain skin moisture and reduce the appearance of pores.
  • Glycolic Acid - Maintains an effective pH for the serum.
There are also many inactive ingredients found in this formula, such as water, squalane, glycerin and Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Oil, to name a few.

How To Use

The manufacturer instructs to apply 1-2 pumps of this serum to clean skin in the morning or the night.

Price

The price for the Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is $85 for a 1.7 fluid ounce bottle. This is definitely on the expensive end of Vitamin C serums.

Guarantee

With a 100% commitment to their customers, Sunday Riley offers a full refund or credit if someone is unhappy with this Vitamin C serum. Sunday Riley will send customers return labels, upon request. Serums must be received by the warehouse within 30 days of purchase in order to qualify for a return. Serums must be returned with a copy of purchase receipt and a reason for the return as well as be within 30 days of original order date. Additionally, serums where more than half of the product has been used will not be granted a refund.

Conclusion

Sunday Riley is a skincare brand that upholds a commitment to formulating products that are free of sulfates, parabens, gluten, soy, phthalates and fragrances as well as being cruelty-free. In this specific Brightening Serum, we like that the Vitamin C derivative is not Ascorbic Acid which is known to degrade quickly and can irritate skin, but rather THD Ascorbate. However, we would have liked to see a higher concentration of the Vitamin C found here. The highest concentration available is 20% but here there is only 15%.

Furthermore, while it is helpful to have Phytosterols and Glycolic Acid, there is a lack of clinically-proven ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E. When Vitamin C and Vitamin E are taken together, their benefits are increased and are much greater than if you would use them individually. Because of this, most manufacturers include Vitamin E in their Vitamin C serums.

Due to all of our concerns, the price of $85 per bottle appears to be rather steep for what you are getting. If you feel comfortable laying out that amount of money and can rely on returning it within 30 days, it may be worth it to you to try it out and see if it works for you.

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Alexia Cook

Alexia Cook, Senior Editor

Alexia Cook is a licensed Master Cosmetologist and Esthetician with over 20 years experience. She received her degrees from Boca Beauty Academy in Boca Raton Florida. Starting at a young age, she has always been interested in treating skin to bring out its true beauty. She knows that the basis of gorgeous skin is by adopting a proper skincare routine and using top quality products. Her passion for helping people find effective skincare products led her to the role of Editor for My Beauty Care Center™. In her free time, she is an avid traveler and loves learning the beauty of different cultures.