SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Lunar New Year Limited Edition
Works for
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Glycolic acidWorks well
“THD Ascorbate is an extremely stable, oil soluble form of Vitamin C. It helps fight the signs of aging including dullness, visible loss of firmness and the appearance of dark spots, lines and wrinkles and surface redness”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
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-agingTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“THD Ascorbate is an extremely stable, oil soluble form of Vitamin C. It helps fight the signs of aging including dullness, visible loss of firmness and the appearance of dark spots, lines and wrinkles and surface redness”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
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.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Glycolic 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: glycolic acid.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, TocopherolWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingSide benefit · Squalane, Glycine soja sterols + 8 moreWorks
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: squalane, glycine soja sterols.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Limonene, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~7.8–9.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateSqualane~4.3–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualanePolyglyceryl-6 distearate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-6 distearatePeg-8 beeswax~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be an allergen (beeswax)
More about Peg-8 beeswaxLimonene~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilCitrus tangerina peel oil~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Essential oil that can be irritating. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus tangerina peel oilGlycine soja sterols~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Glycine soja sterolsPpg-12/smdi copolymer~1.2–1.5%
Sodium phytate~0.8–1.2%
Tocopherol~0.7–1.05%
- 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 TocopherolPhenoxyethanol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAcetamidoethoxyethanol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A new synthetic humectant that, according to the first tests, works better than glycerin in attracting moisture to the skin surface. It might be able to keep attracting water to the upper layer of the skin for longer compared with glycerin. Its texture is also nicer. Because of this, products with it are likely to be less sticky and more pleasant on application. It is unlikely to cause irritation and products with it work for sensitive skin. For best hydration results, it should be used at about 5-10% in a formulation. This ingredient is developed by a supplier Nouryon and is sold to skincare brands under the name Elfamoist AC.
More about AcetamidoethoxyethanolHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.55–0.85%
- 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 copolymerSodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerJojoba esters~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersGlycolic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidCaprylyl glycol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCetyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPolyglyceryl-3 beeswax~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together. Could be an allergen (beeswax)
More about Polyglyceryl-3 beeswaxChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Glycerin~0.2–0.4%
- 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 60~0.15–0.3%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateSaccharide isomerate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateLinalool~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-6 distearate, Peg-8 beeswax, Limonene, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus tangerina peel oil, Glycine soja sterols, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Sodium phytate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Acetamidoethoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Jojoba esters, Glycolic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Cetyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Saccharide isomerate, Linalool
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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.
| SUNDAY RILEYC.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Lunar New Year Limited EditionYOUR PRODUCT | Image skincareIMAGE MD restoring youth repair serum | DermExcelCollagen Serum | sjalsjäl Bio-Regeneratif Serum Active Energy Lift | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 54% | 50% |
| Price | — | $112.00 | $76.70 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 1 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Vitamin C Power SerumGlytone Age-Defying C+ Advanced Antioxidant Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oilsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 6
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