SUNDAY RILEY Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream by Sunday Riley
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin toneAlpha-arbutinStrong evidence
“Enriched with tamarind extract and papaya enzyme, the cream couples intense hydration with gentle exfoliation to brighten dull skin, while the addition of alpha-arbutin works to lessen the effects of hyperpigmentation and dark spots on the skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: alpha-arbutin
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.
MoisturizingCaprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid + 12 moreGood evidence
“Sulphate, phthalate and paraben-free, Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream provides instant relief for parched skin and 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, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, isododecane.
ExfoliationPapain, AllantoinLimited evidence
“Enriched with tamarind extract and papaya enzyme, the cream couples intense hydration with gentle exfoliation to brighten dull skin, while the addition of alpha-arbutin works to lessen the effects of hyperpigmentation and dark spots on the skin.”
This product might help exfoliate the skin with papain, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Rosa damascena extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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%
Hydrolyzed jojoba esters~5.4–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersGlycerin~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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglyceridePropanediol~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerPentylene glycol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolTamarindus indica seed gum~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Tamarindus indica seed gumEthyl macadamiate~1.2–1.4%
Sodium acrylates copolymer~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerLecithin~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinIsododecane~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneAdipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps optically blurr skin imperfections such as fine lines and pores
More about Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymerLauryl dimethicone~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrogenated polyisobutene~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneStrelitzia nicolai seed aril extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alpha-arbutin~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
More about Alpha-arbutinRosa damascena extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidAllantoin~0.25–0.5%
- 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 AllantoinPapain~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainCarbomer~0.25–0.5%
- 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 Carbomer1,2-hexanediol~0.25–0.45%
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAlgin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AlginCucumis sativus extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Melia azadirachta flower extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractAmino esters-1~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coccinia indica fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect helping neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Coccinia indica fruit extractSolanum melongena fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Eggplant fruit extract. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Solanum melongena fruit extractAloe barbadensis flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Aloe barbadensis flower extractLawsonia inermis extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ocimum sanctum leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractPearl powder~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Consists of 95% calcium carbonate that does not have any effect on the skin. The remaining 5% can include compounds that can help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function
More about Pearl powderParfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSynthetic fluorphlogopite~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products
More about Synthetic fluorphlogopiteTitanium dioxide~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxidePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Propanediol, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Pentylene glycol, Tamarindus indica seed gum, Ethyl macadamiate, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Lecithin, Isododecane, Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer, Lauryl dimethicone, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Strelitzia nicolai seed aril extract, Alpha-arbutin, Rosa damascena extract, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Allantoin, Papain, Carbomer, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Algin, Cucumis sativus extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Amino esters-1, Coccinia indica fruit extract, Solanum melongena fruit extract, Aloe barbadensis flower extract, Lawsonia inermis extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Pearl powder, Parfum, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Titanium dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
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 RILEYTidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream by Sunday RileyYOUR PRODUCT | MedicubeTXA + Niacinamide Capsule Cream | Jan MariniLuminate Face Lotion | Nu FormulaPro White Essence Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 57% | 56% |
| Price | $26.74 | $15.90−$10.84 | $125.00+$98.26 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Nonapeptide-1 | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic reviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.