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

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
1.6
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.9 Humectancy icon Humectancy
2.3 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
0.1Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Results you may expect from using Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum:

  • A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 1.6 out of 10.
  • Little anti-wrinkle effect: Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 0.1 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Slightly moisturizing: Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum has a moisturizing rating of 1.6 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? This product has relatively comparable levels of Humectancy and Occlusivity: a low Humectancy of 0.9 out of 10 and a low Occlusivity of 2.3 out of 10.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum has a minimal anti-wrinkle rating of 0.1 out of 10. It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Glycolic Acid (est. ≈0.3%),
 highly effective in peelings, yet with below-average anti-wrinkle efficacy when used in leave-on skincare products.
 
Among others, Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum also contains Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, an ingredient marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver additional anti-wrinkle efficacy through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (est. ≈15.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
65
Water
15
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
4
Squalane
3
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
2
PEG-8 Beeswax
1.5
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
1.3
Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil
1
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
0.3
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
0.3
Sodium Phytate
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Phenoxyethanol
0.3
Acetamidoethoxyethanol
0.3
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
0.3
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
0.3
Jojoba Esters
0.3
Glycolic Acid
0.3
Caprylyl Glycol
0.3
Cetyl Alcohol
0.3
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
0.3
Chlorphenesin
0.3
Polysorbate 60
0.3
Sorbitan Isostearate
0.3
Saccharide Isomerate
0.3
Linalool
0.3
Limonene
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Function:
Origin:
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Function:
Origin:
PEG-8 Beeswax
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil
Function:
Origin:
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
Function:
Origin:
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Phytate
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Acetamidoethoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Jojoba Esters
Function:
Origin:
Glycolic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Cetyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Function:
Origin:
Chlorphenesin
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 60
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitan Isostearate
Function:
Origin:
Saccharide Isomerate
Function:
Origin:
Linalool
Function:
Origin:
Limonene
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
4.6
4.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
1.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.9 10
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 4.6 20
2.3
4.0
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
1.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 0.9 10
0.9
All humectants
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
4
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 4.6 20
2.3
All occlusives
4.6
4.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
1.5 /10 5 0.3 0.1
n/a
- 15 -
Total
0.1
Glycolic Acid
0.1
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
1.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
15
Anti-wrinkle rating
0.1
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
15
0.3
All antioxidants 15.3 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
15.3
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
15
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
All soothing 0.3 5 No
All soothing
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %65
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Est. %15
Function
Origin
Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateA lipid-soluble form of vitamin C that is more stable and less irritating than ascorbic acid. According to a recent clinical study, THDA has all the capabilities of regular vitamin C, including anti-wrinkle and anti-pigment activity.
Squalane
Est. %4
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Polyglyceryl-6 DistearateDescription is coming soon
PEG-8 Beeswax
Est. %2
Function
Origin
PEG-8 BeeswaxDescription is coming soon
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil ExpressedAn essential oil pressed from the peels of the sweet orange.
Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel OilA fragrant oil extracted from tangerine peels that, like other citrus peels, contains a citrusy-scented phytochemical known as limonene.
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Glycine Soja (Soybean) SterolsA mixture of phytosterols isolated from soybean oil. Phytosterols, when used in skincare products, have emollient properties and can make the skin feel softer and smoother.
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PPG-12/SMDI CopolymerDescription is coming soon
Sodium Phytate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium PhytateSodium phytate is a chelating agent that serves to remove heavy metal ions from water. Removing metal ions helps other ingredients, such as antioxidants and preservatives, to perform better and keep products from separating.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Acetamidoethoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AcetamidoethoxyethanolDescription is coming soon
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerAn emulsion stabilizer and thickener that helps to create a pleasant, satiny, and light formula texture. It works by forming a gel-like network within water or oil, which both stabilizes other ingredients and produces a thickening effect.
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerA multi-functional ingredient that forms a polymeric network, thereby thickening the formula and preventing other ingredients from shifting around.
Jojoba Esters
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Jojoba EstersA mixture of various wax esters from jojoba oil. It is used in skincare products as a fantastic emollient, soothing, and occlusive moisturizing agent that won't leave a sticky, oily feeling on the skin.
Glycolic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycolic Acid

The second most used AHA (after lactic acid) known for its potent exfoliating and smoothing effects. It increases skin cell turnover, which is beneficial for treating acne. When used in peels, glycolic acid has confirmed anti-wrinkle efficacy, though it is less effective in leave-on products like creams and serums.

Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Cetyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cetyl AlcoholA waxy solid fatty alcohol derived from palm oil. It is most commonly used as a co-emulsifier and affects the final aesthetic of the product, leaving a soft and silky feeling on the skin. Cetyl alcohol is also used as a viscosity controlling agent.
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyglyceryl-3 BeeswaxDescription is coming soon
Chlorphenesin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ChlorphenesinA preservative and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that protects products from a wide range of bacteria and fungi.
Polysorbate 60
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 60An ester based on sorbitan. It is good for emulsifying water and oils together – specifically making oil-in-water emulsions. Polysorbate 60 is also said to give a product a notable fragrance.
Sorbitan Isostearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sorbitan IsostearateA mild yet powerful emulsifier primarily utilized to produce water-in-oil emulsions. It helps to create a particularly rich and substantial emulsion.
Saccharide Isomerate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Saccharide IsomerateA naturally-derived humectant that provides moisturization at low levels and is less sticky than other humectants like glycerin.
Linalool
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LinaloolA fragrant, volatile compound naturally present in many essential oils. It has a pleasant scent and is often used in skincare products as a fragrance. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Limonene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LimoneneOne of the most used fragrances in skincare products. It is produced from the peels of citrus fruits and has a fresh, pleasant, citrusy smell. People who are sensitive to citrus should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.