SUNDAY RILEY CEO Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing13 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream, a revitalising moisturiser packed with nutrients to help hydrate and brighten the complexion.This skincare formula is powered by THD ascorbate, a high-potency advanced and stable form of vitamin C that encourages a brighter, more even tone to the complexion for a soft, luminous appearance.The cream in enriched with sodium hyaluronate to help draw moisture into the skin for long-lasting hydration.”
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, mannitol.
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, phenyl trimethicone.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimWeak support
“Its ability to diminish signs of ageing (without irritation we might add) is second to none.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimWeak support
“Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream, a revitalising moisturiser packed with nutrients to help hydrate and brighten the complexion.This skincare formula is powered by THD ascorbate, a high-potency advanced and stable form of vitamin C that encourages a brighter, more even tone to the complexion for a soft, luminous appearance.The cream in enriched with sodium hyaluronate to help draw moisture into the skin for long-lasting hydration.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Dimethicone~6.6–8%
- 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 DimethiconeNeopentyl glycol diethylhexanoate~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~3.2–3.9%
- 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 ascorbatePolyglycerin-6~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglycerin-6Propanediol~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPhenyl trimethicone~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconeGlycerin~1.5–1.8%
- 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 GlycerinHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.2–1.4%
- 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 copolymerSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerErgothioneine~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking
More about ErgothioneineXanthophylls~0.55–0.85%
Allantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCitrus aurantium amara flower oil~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oilSodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulations
More about Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymerMannitol~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about MannitolPentylene glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolIsododecane~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneDimethicone crosspolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerSodium phytate~0.3–0.55%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateBenzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation protecting it from sun light
More about Benzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresolPolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymerCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilPhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolChlorphenesin~0.1–0.2%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
Citric acid~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPolysorbate 60~0.1–0.2%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateIngredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Neopentyl glycol diethylhexanoate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Polyglycerin-6, Propanediol, Phenyl trimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Ergothioneine, Xanthophylls, Allantoin, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer, Mannitol, Pentylene glycol, Isododecane, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Sodium phytate, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate
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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 RILEYCEO Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C CreamYOUR PRODUCT | PillowtalkDermMajor Fade Active Seal Moisturizer | OFRAVitamin C Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 52% |
| Price | $55.25 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Hexapeptide-2 | Oxybenzone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6A comparison of the relative antioxidant potency of L‐ergothioneine and idebenoneonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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